Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 1 Years
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Face-to-Face
- Next Intake:
- 2024/2025 September
- Contact Name:
- Lorraine Hanlon
- Contact Number:
- +353 0 1 716 2823
- Fees:
- Fee Information
This programme is ideal for graduates of Physics, Engineering and closely related disciplines, who want to transfer their expertise to the fast-growing global space sector. Ireland is a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and dozens of Irish companies and researchers are involved in major international space missions. UCD is building Ireland’s first satellite, EIRSAT-1.
Course highlights include a hands-on CubeSat lab, payload development and satellite systems engineering of a high-altitude balloon experiment and participation in an international mission design team project. A 3-month internship provides relevant training for industry or research and can lead to employment. Students have completed internships at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), ESA, NASA-Ames, Cosine, ENBIO, InnaLabs, Skytek, Eblana Photonics and Réaltra.
Visit MSc Space Science and Technology for more information.
Download the UCD Science Graduate Taught Courses brochure (pdf)
The programme is space industry focused, while also preparing graduates to pursue careers in related sectors, and in research. Satellite operator, test engineer, mission specialist, payload scientist and systems engineer are all roles that are in demand globally. Earth observation and environmental monitoring (especially to meet sustainable development goals), navigation, telecommunications and meteorology are application areas that rely heavily on graduates with satellite expertise.
Prospective employers include: Spire, ESA, DLR, ISISPACE, EUMETSAT, Réaltra, Ericsson, InnaLabs, Icon Group, Mindseed, Skytek, Eire Composites etc. The MSc can act as a stepping stone to PhD research in areas such as atmospheric physics, space physics, aeronautics, propulsion and astrophysics, and to traineeships at European Space Agency establishments.
Curricular information is subject to change
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.
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.
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised