The Master in Space Science and Technology at the Observatoire de Paris–PSL is part of the AstroParis Graduate Program, dedicated to Space and Astrophysics. The program is designed to provide students with the best career prospects, whether in research or engineering.
The AstroParis Graduate Program builds on the expertise of Université PSL’s astrophysics laboratories at the Observatoire de Paris.
The Graduate School benefits both from PSL’s rich academic environment and from long-standing synergies between research and training. With a strong emphasis on international collaboration, the program trains students through challenging research projects and prepares them for highly demanding scientific and technical careers, ensuring the best possible employability.
The first year of the Master is open to outstanding students who hold a Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to a Licence in the European LMD system) in physics, mathematics, or engineering — from Europe or abroad.
Applications for the 2025–2026 academic year are open from 14 January to 13 March 2025. Candidates may create an account and apply here (select: apply for M1).
Contact: master1.administration(at)observatoiredeparis.psl.eu
Courses in the first year of the Master in Space Science and Technology are held on the Paris and Meudon campuses of the Observatoire de Paris.
The full Master program extends over two years (four semesters), with approximately 300 hours of teaching per semester. The first year (M1) corresponds to Semester 1 (S1) and Semester 2 (S2).
First Semester (M1S1) ----> 30 ECTS
| Computer Science | 3 ECTS |
| LIU (part time Internship: two half-days per week) | 6 ECTS |
Exceptionally, students may take one 3-ECTS course at another Université PSL institute, combined with a 3-ECTS LIU (one half-day per week).
Each student must choose 2, 2.5, or 3 courses for a total of 12, 15, or 18 ECTS from the following list:
| Quantum Mechanics | 6 ECTS |
| Statistical Physics | 6 ECTS |
| Instrumentation: Physics and Instruments | 6 ECTS |
| Data Processing and Associated Methods | (3+3) ECTS |
In addition, students must complete 3, 2 or 1 lecture(s) for a total of 9, 6, or 3 ECTS (depending on their first set of choices above) from:
| Hydrodynamics | 3 ECTS |
| General Astronomy | 3 ECTS |
| Mathematical Physics | 3 ECTS |
| Classical Gravitation | 3 ECTS |
Second semester (M1S2) -----> 30 ECTS
| Observational Techniques and Data Analysis | 3 ECTS |
| Research Internship (full-time, typically mid-April to mid-June) | 9 ECTS |
| Gravitation of Extended Bodies and Galactic Dynamics | 3 ECTS |
| Physics of the Interstellar Medium (Hydrodynamics and Radiation) | 3 ECTS |
| Metrology of Satellites | 3 ECTS |
| Analytical Mechanics (Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms) | 3 ECTS |
| Relativity and Cosmology (Flat and Curved Spacetime Physics) | 3 ECTS |
| Stellar Physics (Hydrodynamics and Energy Transport) | 3 ECTS |
| (Astro)Particle Physics (Standard Model, High-Energy Physics) | 3 ECTS |
| Numerical Analysis | 3 ECTS |
| (Exo)Planetary Physics (Surface and Atmosphere) | 3 ECTS |
| Magnetohydrodynamics and Space Plasmas | 3 ECTS |
A detailed description of the lectures and lecturers is available here (version 12, June 2025)
version 7 : 15 october 2025
version 7 : 15 october 2025