Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

This programme is suitable for graduates of physics or engineering who want to apply their undergraduate expertise in the space sector. 

This course engages students with the knowledge, context, practices and methodologies of the rapidly evolving global space sector, so they are equipped to succeed in a wide range of professional roles in industry, research and the public sector.

Students are highly motivated learners who are well prepared to manage the significant workload of the programme, acting ethically and with integrity. They are ready to learn independently if they lack certain background knowledge, while recognising when they need support, and they feel confident in asking for help.

Development of cross-cutting skills in laboratory experiments, Python programming, data analysis and interpretation, critical thinking, technical writing, project development, and collaborative team-working, is embedded throughout the programme.  

International standards for effective space project management are implemented to provide the real-world framework and context within which professional skills are honed through assignments, laboratory work, field trips, reports, technical documentation and projects. 

Extensive space expertise across multiple domains, from astrophysics to CubeSats, is available to students from expert teaching staff. Students experience a supportive learning environment, where multi-disciplinary, industry, and international connections are rich.

Space agencies and the space industry support the programme delivery in the form of seminars, networking, training, collaborative research, and internships.

• Describe the state-of-the-art of knowledge in space science and technology
• Apply acquired knowledge and technical skills in the space industry, or in graduate research
• Draw on a suite of relevant professional and transferable skills
• Engage actively in professional networking within the field 
• Participate constructively in multi-disciplinary, international teams

View All Modules Here

MSc Space Science & Technology (F060) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10200
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Internship Opportunities*
A 3-month 30 credit internship provides relevant training for industry or research and can lead to employment. Students have completed internships at the European Space Agency (ESA), European Astronaut Centre (EAC), Cosine (Netherlands), German Aerospace Center, NASA-Ames, ENBIO, InnaLabs, Skytek, Mindseed, Eblana Photonics, ICEYE, Arralis Ltd, ispace, Mindseed and Réaltra Space Systems Engineering.
*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed.

Entrance to the programme normally requires a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in Physics, Engineering, or a closely related discipline (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent).

In special circumstances, students with a strong Physics or Engineering background and lower second class honours degree may be accepted.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 

Graduate Profile

Aaron O’Grady, Space Systems Engineer, Réaltra
The UCD Masters course in Space Science & Technology afforded me the opportunity to learn about new and exciting areas of science while still allowing me to improve specific skills to suit the space industry. My favourite part of the course was the Tuppersat project. Here, a team of students from many different backgrounds worked together to learn from each other while also producing a functional high-altitude experiment.
The skills and experiences from the UCD Masters have proven invaluable and have carried me further than I ever thought possible.

• MSc Physics (Negotiated Learning) FT

The following entry routes are available:

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised