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Space Science and Engineering: Space Science MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Space Science pathway of the MSc Space Science and Engineering programme combines the fundamental knowledge and skills across all aspects of the space environment and space systems, alongside optional modules based on the latest research in solar system physics, astrophysics and planetary science. Taught at UCL by experts in the field, this degree will give you a unique skillset for your future career.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£46,700
Duration
1 academic year
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

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.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

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.

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

This MSc requires students to have an undergraduate degree level of knowledge in a related discipline, who wish to develop a career in space research or related fields. The programme aims to provide a broad understanding of all aspects of space science together with specialised training in research methods, directly applicable to a career in academia, the public and private sectors.

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 challenges 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

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 academic research positions, or employment within industry, such as with DSTL, SSTL and Leonardo, (Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017 - 2022 cohorts).

Employability

The core knowledge and skills taught on the programme are closely aligned with key competencies identified by the Space Skills Alliance and the course develops the skills to assess complex problems and plan and execute independent work which are both attributes relevant to industry and academia. The course also provides opportunities to develop teamwork and communications skills which are also vital to a successful career. Students go on to a wide range of roles in the space sector, academia and beyond. The Department enjoys close contact with space agencies such as ESA and NASA, and with industrial research teams, which helps ensure the knowledge, skills and behaviours cover those of importance to future employers in the sector.

Networking

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the Department's Professional Skills Development programme which includes talks and panel-based session with programme alumni and industry professionals. Visits to relevant facilities and organisations are also arranged throughout the year.

Teaching and learning

The MSc is designed to train the next generation of space scientists through developing critical thinking, problem solving, writing, teamwork and presentation skills. You will learn through a mixture of lectures, problem solving tutorials and workshops, presentations, group work, and independent reading and research. 

You will be assessed through a combination of unseen written examination, coursework and individual and group-based project work. Your studies will culminate in a dissertation, allowing you to explore your interests in-depth and demonstrate the knowledge you've gained throughout the course.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 8-12 hours per week in the first two terms, depending on module choice, and include lectures, practice-based activities and e-learning activities Students will also undertake a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme.

In Term 3 and during the Summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors and can typically expect six contact hours per teaching week on the group project.

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 one core taught module and three optional taught modules 

Space Technology (ST) Pathway

You will take four optional taught modules 

TERM THREE

You will undertake examinations of all your taught modules

You will complete your Individual Project

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

Compulsory modules








Optional 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 are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

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

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800
Tuition fees (2026/27) £46,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no specific additional costs to the student required for the course. Essential readings are available online through the UCL library or posted on the electronic learning environment. Student's will require their own computer to access the course learning materials and to prepare assessments. Access to Microsoft office applications is provided.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

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

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 course of £90 for online 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 courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Space and Climate Physics
Space and Climate Physics

scpinfo@ucl.ac.uk

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