By enrolling at Observatoire de Paris, you are joining Université PSL
PSL University is a community of 17,000 students. From the Bachelor’s degree to the PhD, PSL’s course offerings span every field of knowledge in the Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering and the Arts. They are intended for students of all backgrounds who display high levels of potential, with the goal of equipping them to excel. Your courses are being provided by Observatoire de Paris, while your degree will be issued by Université PSL.
PSL’s curricula train researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, managers and artists. Those curricula share some common principles:
- research-based education at the University’s 140 laboratories;
- cross-disciplinary study, both at the undergraduate level and through the PSL graduate programs;
- customized academic paths in which students can move freely from one component school to another;
- a teacher-student ratio that is among the lowest in France, and a graduation rate among the highest;
- a proactive policy of equal opportunity, to promote a diverse pool of talents;
education for a generation of committed, responsible graduates entering a complex world.
Université PSL includes 11 schools and receives support from three research institutions: Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art dramatique - PSL, Dauphine - PSL, École nationale des chartes - PSL, École nationale supérieure de Chimie de Paris - PSL, École nationale supérieure des Mines de Paris - PSL, École normale supérieure - PSL, École Pratique des Hautes Études - PSL, ESPCI Paris - PSL, Observatoire de Paris - PSL, Collège de France, Institut Curie, CNRS, INRIA, INSERM.
Graduate program Astrophysics: from Master’s degree to PhD
Your training is hosted by Observatoire de Paris and your diploma is delivered by PSL University.
Graduate program Astrophysics
Following the model of graduate schools in the world’s top universities, the PSL’s graduate programs are unprecedented curricula among higher education institutions in France. PSL’s graduate programs offer top-level training at Master’s and doctorate levels, based on the scientific resources of all component schools included in PSL. Upon entering the Master’s degree program, each student will define their scientific project with the graduate program’s faculty and researchers. Students will have an academic advisor and will be heavily involved in research throughout the program.
Master’s in Space Science and Technology
The Master’s in Space Science and Technology at Observatoire de Paris covers the fundamentals of physics and mathematics, more specialized courses in astronomy and astrophysics, and observation-based practicums. Certain courses are joint courses with partner institutions (M1) or co-accredited institutions (M2): Universités Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris Diderot, Paris Sud, ENS Cachan.
The program prepares students for careers in astronomy and astrophysics through solid foundations in physics, mathematics and applied technologies.
The first year provides a generalist course of study ans the second year includes 4 tracks available to successful first-year students.
PhD
Doctoral training at the Paris Observatory is the culmination of training by and in research. The preparation of a thesis at the Paris Observatory is done under the supervision of a thesis director attached to a laboratory of the Observatory, within the framework of a Doctoral School (ED) co-accredited by PSL. Its target duration is 3 years, at the end of which the "PSL doctoral diploma prepared at the Paris Observatory" is awarded after a public defense.
PSL Master’s degree co-organised with Observatoire de Paris
Master’s degree in Philosophy
Resulting from a collaboration between the Ecole normale supérieure, the EPHE and the Observatoire de Paris, the Master of Philosophy at PSL University provides a training of excellence in philosophy. The training is supported by the philosophy laboratories of the ENS, EPHE and the research centres of the partner institutions.
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Master’s degree in Earth and planetary science, environment
Made possible by a collaboration between the Ecole normale supérieure - PSL, the Ecole nationale supérieure des Mines de Paris - PSL, the Observatoire de Paris - PSL and the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes - PSL, the Master’s degree in Planetary Science from Université PSL offers state-of-the-art training in the fields of earth science, meteorology, oceanography, climate science and biogeoscience, as well as their applications for environmental science both on Earth and in space.
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Master’s degree Quantum engineering
A new interdisciplinary training programme in quantum technologies will be launched by PSL University in September 2022. It results from an unprecedented synergy between some of its founding schools, namely: Ecole normale supérieure, ESPCI, Mines Paris and the Observatoire de Paris, and it is part of PSL’s graduate programme in physics.
PSL’s quantum engineering programme is a 5-year PhD Track that provides cutting-edge training, with guaranteed funding for two Master’s years and three doctoral years. This programme aims at high-potential students wishing to take up the quantum challenges of tomorrow and to develop their scientific ambitions and their research project from the Master’s level. It will train a new generation of “PhD-quantum-engineers” capable of designing and implementing quantum technologies in research, industry, finance and entrepreneurship.
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Bachelor’s degree lectures
Lectures are given by Observatoire de Paris in PSL CPES Multidisciplinary Undergraduate degree (CPES) or PSL Bachelor’s degree - Sustainability sciences.
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University Diploma (DU)
Observatoire de Paris offers several courses leading to a University Diploma (DU). These courses are organized in annual sessions (October to June) in person (Paris or Meudon campus) or by internet. They give rise to an examination which, except in special cases, is held in person.
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