The University of Hong Kong will offer the city's first major in astronomy from September.
During the three-year course, an eight-month internship would allow students to work with leading researchers at Nasa in the United States, dean of the science faculty Kwok Sun said.
'We have connections with many Nasa researchers and there will be opportunities for our students to work with them,' he said.
The new major will have no admission quota and can be applied for by all students admitted to HKU's bachelor of science programme.
Professor Kwok said it was designed to equip students with a well-rounded foundation in both theory and practice, ranging from the knowledge of operating small optical telescopes to analysing images taken from large radio research telescopes.
He said the course was to cater to a strong interest in astronomy among young people.