Space Science & Technology

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.



- Open to all graduates of physics and engineering

- Tailor your curriculum via 'options' modules

- Workshop sessions with senior industry practitioners



What Will I Learn?

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.



Student Internships

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.

Stage 1 Core Modules

PHYC40660 The Space Environment Autumn 5

PHYC40730 Applications of Space Science Autumn 5

PHYC40740 Space Sector Professional Skills Autumn 5

PHYC40870 Space Detector Laboratory (10) Autumn 10

PHYC40810 Satellite Subsystems Spring 10

PHYC41100 Space Mission Design Skills Spring 5

PHYC41110 Spacecraft operations Spring 5

PHYC40950 Space Sector Internship Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:

Choose 3 Options

BSEN40780 Remote Sensing and GIS Autumn 5

GEOG30790 Planetary Geomorphology Autumn 5

GEOG40890 Remote Sensing Autumn 10

MEEN40820 Technical Comms (Online) Autumn 5

PHYC30100 Stellar Astrophysics & Astronomical Techniques Autumn 5

PHYC41080 Physics Data Analysis (Python) Autumn 5

STAT40800 Data Prog with Python (online) Autumn 5

COMP47670 Data Science in Python (MD) Autumn and Spring (separate) 5

COMP47750 Machine Learning with Python Autumn and Spring (separate) 5

PHYC40570 Physics Demonstrating\Tutoring Autumn and Spring (separate) 5

COMP47990 Machine Learning with Python (Online) Spring 5

PHYC40030 Galaxies, Observational Cosmology & the Interstellar Medium Spring 5

PHYC40360 Theoretical Astrophysics Spring 5

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.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

90

1 year full-time. Delivery: On Campus.

MSc Space Science & Technology (F060) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 8750

nonEU fee per year - € 25600


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website

Next Intake: September 2025.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

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.