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Space Science and Engineering: Space Science MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This MSc provides students with a broad understanding of all aspects of space science and space instrumentation together with specialised training in research methods, directly applicable to careers in academia, the space industry and the public sector. The programme is taught by world-recognised researchers in the field which provides students with access to the knowledge and expertise gained by UCL space scientists over more than five decades.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£12,900
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£38,000
Duration
1 academic year
Programme starts
September 2022
Applications accepted
All applicants: 18 Oct 2021 – 31 Mar 2022

Applications closed

Notification

Application closes at 17:00 GMT.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Space Science pathway is focussed on scientific research applications of space technology; it aims to equip participants with a sound knowledge of the physical principles essential to sustain careers in space research and related fields. Students develop a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of:

  • a range of space science fields;
  • spacecraft, space science instrumentation, the space environment, space operations and space project management.

Who this course is for

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL's Space & Climate Physics Department, incorporating the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, is a world-leading research organisation and is one of the largest university space science groups in the UK. Space instruments designed and built by staff in the department have flown, are currently operating, or are in development, for the majority of the major space science missions launched or planned for launch since the late 1950s.

Through our teaching we offer students real-world examples of the issues associated with designing and building instruments for space, as well as the opportunity to analyse data collected from those instruments to conduct original research.

The department offers a unique environment at the forefront of space science research, where scientists and research students work alongside top engineers building and testing instruments for space, as well as studying the data from these and other spaceborne and ground-based instruments.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in problem solving, data analysis, report writing and presentations and original research. Group work at a range of different levels enables students to develop strong team-working skills, culminating in the final group project undertaken by the whole cohort, which includes external review by industry experts and peer assessment.

Employability

The close contact that the department enjoys with space agencies such as ESA and NASA and with industrial research teams encourages the development of transferable skills which enhance job prospects in academic circles and beyond.

The programme aims to prepare students for further research degrees and/or careers in space research or the space industry. Past graduates have gone on to either PhDs/research assistant positions at UCL or another institution, or employment within PwC, the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Ultra Electronics and CGG, SSTL and Airbus.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, team-based coursework exercises, presentations and tutorials. Student performance is assessed through unseen written examination, coursework, and the individual and group projects.

Typical contact hours: Minimum of 30 hours per 15 credit module

Self directed study: 120 hours per 15 credit module

Modules

TERM ONE

Space Science (SS) Pathway

You will take three core taught modules 

Space Technology (ST) Pathway

You will will take three core taught modules

TERM TWO

Space Science (SS) Pathway

You will take 1 core taught module and 3 optional taught modules 

Space Technology (ST) Pathway

You will take 4 optional taught modules 

TERM THREE

You will undertake examinations of all your taught modules

You will complete younr Individual Project

You will undertake a Group Project (This completes in the Summer)

Compulsory modules








Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Space Science and Engineering: Space Science.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Space and Climate Physics

Our open days are a great chance to find out more about your chosen course, the department and studying at UCL. You'll have the opportunity to find out more about the field of study you’re interested in, followed by a Q&A where you'll have the opportunity to hear from academic staff and ask any questions you might have about life at UCL.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Applying for Graduate Study at UCL

The Applying to UCL for graduate study session took place in December 2021. The session, covered by our Graduate Admissions and Student Recruitment teams, provides helpful information about the process of applying for graduate study, as well as offering an insight into what we consider to be a competitive application.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £12,900
Tuition fees (2022/23) £38,000

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific costs.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Brown Family Bursary

Now Closed for 2022/23
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study for a Master's degree in Space Science and Engineering, and particularly on which Pathway (Space Science or Space Technology) you intend to enrol, and why
  • why you want to enter a programme of study at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme, how have you heard of it and what do you want to get from it
  • how your academic and professional background meets the entry requirements and the demands of this programme, considering the topics that are taught in it
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree, i.e. which kind of career you intend to pursue

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver, and how prepared you are to face the challenges it poses (e.g. large project component, individual and in a team, and taught advanced topics).

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Space and Climate Physics Department
Space and Climate Physics Department

scpinfo@ucl.ac.uk

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