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Space Science and Engineering: Space Technology MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Taught by UCL Space & Climate Physics with modules offered by UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering, this MSc programme aims to provide a broad understanding of the basic principles of space technology and satellite communications together with specialised training in research methods and transferable skills, directly applicable to a career in the public and private space sectors.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£14,100
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£38,300
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 31 Mar 2023

Applications closed

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 programme 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. 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 Technology pathway is focused on the application of space technology in industrial settings, its main objective is to provide a sound knowledge of the underlying principles which form a thorough basis for careers in space technology, satellite communications and related fields. Students develop a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of:

  • spacecraft, satellite communications, the space environment, space operations and space project management;
  • the electromagnetics of optical and microwave transmission, and of communication systems modelling;
  • a range of subjects relating to spacecraft technology and satellite communications.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL Space & Climate Physics, incorporating the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), 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, including learning how to translate scientific requirements to engineering requirements when designing new instruments and missions. Opportunities are also provided to analyse both science and housekeeping data collected from currently operating space instruments.

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 close contact that the laboratory 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 industrial and research centres in the public and private space sectors.

Employability

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,CGG, SSTL and Airbus.

Teaching and learning

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

On average it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly two-hour sessions over 10 weeks each term.

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 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 Technology.

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

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £14,100
Tuition fees (2023/24) £38,300

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

Deadline: 8 June 2023
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 (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Space and Climate Physics
Space and Climate Physics

scpinfo@ucl.ac.uk

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