Students applying for admission into the astronomy Ph.D. program are normally required to have an M.Sc., or equivalent in Astronomy, Physics, or related field. Students, who do not yet have an M.Sc. degree, are required to enter the astronomy M.Sc. program first and then reapply for admission to the Ph.D. program when they have completed their M.Sc. degree. Optionally, before starting the second year of study and subject to Departmental approval, students may transfer to the Ph.D. program without formally completing their M.Sc. degree. In this case, the student does not take the M.Sc. thesis course, and no M.Sc. degree is conferred. On the start of the second year, the student enters the first year of the Ph.D. program.