Master of Space Studies
- Leuven, Belgium
- Ghent, Belgium
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
16 Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 9,493 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no strict application deadline | for the most recent – and only official – information on application deadlines, please check the KU Leuven webpage
** for non-EEA & EEA | for the most recent – and only official – information on tuition fees, please check the KU Leuven webpage
Key Summary
About: The Master of Space Studies at KU Leuven, offered with Ghent University, gives interdisciplinary training across space technology, quantitative and biomedical sciences, space law and policy, and economics for industry, management and research activities. The curriculum combines coursework, guest lecturers from international institutions, and extracurricular visits to ESA’s ESTEC and the European Astronaut Center. Most classes take place in Leuven.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter the space sector in roles such as systems engineer, satellite mission analyst, space policy advisor, project manager, business development manager, research associate, or operations specialist in aerospace firms, research institutes, national agencies, or international organizations.
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The space sector plays an important role in economic, social, technological and scientific developments. The Master of Space Studies corresponds to the needs of the sector by delivering highly skilled experts with a broad and in-depth interdisciplinary perspective.
About this programme
The space sector is constantly looking for highly-skilled experts with an interdisciplinary perspective. However, it is this interdisciplinary background which is currently lacking for most new graduates, who have typically specialised in only one of the fields related to space science. Our students develop critical knowledge skills regarding relevant technological sectors, exact and biomedical sciences, space-related law and policy, and economics encompassing space industry, business and management.
The Master of Space Studies aims to cater to these new opportunities by equipping students with the interdisciplinary expertise the space sector is currently looking for. The Master of Space studies trains students in innovative space projects through the symbiosis between technological, quantitative and biomedical sciences, while at the same time supplying them with the economic and policy skills needed to navigate the current legal and political regulations.
Programme strengths
- Thanks to the interuniversity effort of the programme, students get embedded in the academic research expertise of two highly-ranked Belgian universities, KU Leuven and Ghent University (please note that the majority of classes takes place in Leuven, for more details please consult the course overview).
- In addition to coursework in space sciences, the curriculum is enriched by a series of guest lecturers from international, national and regional institutions.
- Extracurricular initiatives, including visits to the European Astronaut Center in Cologne and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) of ESA in The Netherlands, bring the students in contact with actors in the different fields of space studies, allowing students to interact with research experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and to exchange ideas, grow their network and explore new career opportunities.