1 - Describe the state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of space science and technology
2 - Apply acquired knowledge and skills to an individual internship on a topic relevant to space
3 - Work independently in multi-disciplinary, international teams on paper studies and laboratory projects
4 - Engage actively in professional networking within the field
5 - Draw on a suite of discipline-specific professional skills, such as space project management, bid-writing, and technical documentation for space mission development.
6 - Draw on a suite of transferable skills, such as critical thinking, reflection, problem solving, scientific report writing, team-working and presentation skills.
7 - Participate responsibly and professionally within a team through active engagement and collaboration
8 - Apply a systems engineering approach to the full life cycle of a space project, from preliminary design through to critical design and implementation, and including the preparation of appropriate documentation.
9 - Synthesise knowledge, awareness and experience gained from across the programme to continue developing their career
10 - Conduct a set of physics-based laboratory measurements related to space detectors and analyse the data using Python
11 - Describe the state-of-the-art knowledge and skills in the field
12 - Apply acquired knowledge and skills to a individual research project in the field
13 - Work in cross-disciplinary, international teams on paper studies and laboratory projects
14 - Draw on a suite of professional skills specific to the field, such as project management, proposal writing, and space science communication skills.
15 - Draw on a suite of transferrable skills, such as problem solving, scientific report writing, and presentation skills.
16 - Participate responsibly and professionally within a team through active engagement and collaboration on an assignment or task.
17 - Apply a systems engineering approach to the full life cycle of a space project, from preliminary design through to critical design and implementation and including the preparation of appropriate documentation.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
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 students and staff have built Ireland’s first satellite, EIRSAT-1, a 2U CubeSat that launched on a Falcon 9 rocket on 1 December 2023. EIRSAT-1 was developed within ESA’s ‘Fly Your Satellite’ programme and contains payloads developed in UCD. The spacecraft is being operated from UCD.
Visit MSc Space Science & Technology for more information.
- Open to all graduates of physics and engineering
- Tailor your curriculum via 'options' modules
- Workshop sessions with senior industry practitioners
About This Course
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.
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.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC40660 | The Space Environment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC40730 | Applications of Space Science | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC40740 | Space Sector Professional Skills | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC40870 | Space Detector Laboratory (10) | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC40810 | Satellite Subsystems | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC41100 | Space Mission Design Skills | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC41110 | Spacecraft operations | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC40950 | Space Sector Internship | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
BSEN40780 | Remote Sensing and GIS | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
GEOG30790 | Planetary Geomorphology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
GEOG40890 | Remote Sensing | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
MEEN40820 | Technical Comms (Online) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
PHYC30100 | Stellar Astrophysics & Astronomical Techniques | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
PHYC41080 | Physics Data Analysis (Python) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
STAT40800 | Data Prog with Python (online) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
COMP47670 | Data Science in Python (MD) | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
COMP47750 | Machine Learning with Python | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
PHYC40570 | Physics Demonstrating\Tutoring | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
COMP47990 | Machine Learning with Python (Online) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
PHYC40030 | Galaxies, Observational Cosmology & the Interstellar Medium | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Choose 3 Options |
PHYC40360 | Theoretical Astrophysics | Spring | 5 |
Megan Lundy
I have an academic background in astrophysics and knew I wanted to have a career in the space industry, but was not sure how to get my foot in the door. The MSc Space Science & Technology course at UCD gave me the opportunity to learn about the different sectors of the space industry and how many different kinds of jobs there are.
In my position as Mission Operations Engineer at Goonhilly, I work as part of a team that operates GHY-6, a 32-meter deep space antenna, to track satellites for NASA and ESA missions such as Mars Express and Artemis 1. I use my project management skills in my secondary role managing the development of procedures and other projects.
EU fee per year - € 10460
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 visit International Scholarships.
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
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
This programme is suitable for graduates of physics or engineering who want to apply their undergraduate expertise in the space sector.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Space Science & Technology:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F060 Space Science & Technology Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |