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Studies & Degrees in Space Science

Space science is the scientific study of everything beyond the Earth's surface and of the Earth as seen from space. It brings together astronomy and astrophysics, planetary science, the physics of the Sun and of the space around the Earth, and the instruments, satellites and data methods that make the observations possible. The Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) uses the grouping of the European Space Agency for basic space research: the Solar System, astronomy and astrophysics, and fundamental physics.

The subject rests on physics and mathematics. The B.S. in Space Physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University shows the range of topics: the Earth-Sun environment, atmospheric sciences, aurorae, planetary sciences, space weather, plasma physics, stellar and high-energy astrophysics, gravitational physics and exoplanets.

Qualifications and levels

Few universities offer a degree called simply space science. Students usually reach the field through physics, astronomy, Earth sciences or engineering, and specialise at master's or doctoral level.

  • Bachelor's degrees. Embry-Riddle's B.S. in Space Physics has 120 credits and is taught in person at its Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses. The University of Washington teaches Earth, space and planetary sciences in one department. Morehead State University, home of the Ronald G. Eaglin Space Science Center, offers a Bachelor of Science in Space Systems Engineering and an astrophysics minor; its students take part in designing, building and testing satellites before launch.
  • Master's degrees in Spain. Official degrees follow a fixed structure: a bachelor's degree (grado) of 240 ECTS credits and master's degrees of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Máster Universitario en Ciencia y Tecnología Espacial of the UPV/EHU has 60 credits, lasts one academic year and is taught in Spanish at the Escuela de Ingeniería de Bilbao, with 25 places. It is aimed at graduates in science and engineering subjects and has two pathways, space science and space technology. The Máster Universitario en Ciencia y Tecnología desde el Espacio of the Universidad de Alcalá also has 60 ECTS credits and lasts one academic year full-time. It is taught in Spanish, with English needed for some seminars, lectures and documents.
  • Master's degrees elsewhere. The Astronautics and Space Engineering MSc of the University of Surrey takes 1 year full-time and covers the engineering side: the design and delivery of spacecraft and payloads. Morehead State has a Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering.
  • Doctorate. Research careers normally require a PhD. The UPV/EHU master's degree gives direct access to the university's doctoral programme in physics.

When checked in October 2026, the two Spanish universities published indicative prices: about €2,000 for the UPV/EHU master's degree, and €2,736 for Spanish students and residents or €5,079 for non-resident students from outside the EU at the Universidad de Alcalá (first enrolment). Confirm the current amount with the university.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 19 active schools for space science. Nine are in the United States, three in Spain and two in the United Kingdom; Sweden, France, Germany, Russia and Ethiopia have one each. In Spain the list includes the Universidad de Alcalá, the UPV/EHU and the telecommunications engineering school (ETSIT) of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. In the United States it includes Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Morehead State University, the University of Washington, Purdue University, The University of Texas at Austin and Johns Hopkins University. Elsewhere it includes the University of Surrey, the University of Kent, Chalmers tekniska högskola in Gothenburg, Sorbonne Université, the Technische Universität München (TUM), Siberian Federal University and Addis Ababa University.

Department names vary: at Chalmers, astronomy, plasma physics and the Onsala Space Observatory belong to the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The Spanish master's degrees on this page are taught in Spanish and those in the United States and the United Kingdom in English; check the language of each programme elsewhere.

Careers

Graduates work in research institutes and universities, space agencies, observatories, and the companies that build and operate satellites and process their data. Embry-Riddle gives graduate student researcher and systems engineer as example roles for its space physics graduates.

For the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that a PhD in physics, astronomy or a related field is typically required for jobs in research or academia, and that holders of a bachelor's degree in physics usually qualify as technicians and research assistants in related fields such as engineering and computer science. It counted about 2,400 astronomers and 23,200 physicists in 2025, and projects employment of the two groups together to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. Among astronomers, 47 percent worked in research and development and 21 percent for the federal government. The Universidad de Alcalá notes that its master's degree does not give access to a regulated profession.

Frequently asked questions

What should I study first if I want to work in space science?

Most people start with a bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy, Earth sciences or engineering. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that a bachelor's degree in physical science or a related field such as engineering is usually required to enter a graduate programme in physics or astronomy.

Is space science the same as aerospace engineering?

No. Space science studies the Sun, planets, stars and the space environment. Aerospace and space systems engineering design and build the spacecraft and instruments. Some master's degrees, such as the one at the UPV/EHU, offer a pathway in each.

Can I study space science in Spanish?

Yes. The master's degrees of the UPV/EHU and the Universidad de Alcalá are taught in Spanish, although Alcalá states that English is needed for some seminars, lectures and documents.