University Education

The fascination of space – as a student of the Master's Degree Programme in Space Sciences and Earth from Space, you benefit from the expertise of many institutions in Graz: 

TU Graz, the University of Graz, the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Joanneum Research teach and research jointly in the field of space sciences and technologies.

Graduates work in the high technology departments of scientific and research institutions, such as space agencies or the aerospace industry.

SpaceTech creates tomorrow's space programme leaders! Participants will gain comprehensive Space Systems and Business Engineering knowledge of the multi-faceted international spaceflight sector in the following discipline areas and fields:

• Systems Engineering
• Space Mission Analysis and Design
• Business Engineering
• Project Management
• Technical Areas: Space Communications, Earth Observation, Navigation and Human Space Flight

In addition, you will acquire and refine leadership and soft skills, perform a Central Case Project (CCP) as a group and complete an individual Master's thesis.

All content is taught by internationally recognized experts from their respective fields. The 22 month programme (120 ECTS) is outlined for working participants, and offered at 7 European Space Centers in 6 presence sessions of two-week duration each. It concludes with a Master of Science (Continuing Education) – MSc (CE).

Brief information about the SpaceTech Master (pdf, 1.69 MB)

More information on the TU Website

The physics program at the University of Graz is broadly diversified. After a comprehensive basic education in the physics bachelor's program, students can choose a focus in the physics master's program, including the subject-specific specializations "Astrophysics" and "Space Physics and Aeronomy".

Here they immerse themselves in the scientific research directions offered at the Department of Astrophysics and Geophysics. The Master's program is taught in English, paving the way to work in international research institutions.

Students complete internships at the two observatories, Lustbühel Graz and Kanzelhöhe Observatory for Solar and Environmental Research (Carinthia), through which they gain insights into current measurement and observation techniques of stars and the sun. In seminars, independent projects, analyses and literature research are carried out, and critical thinking and solution strategies of complex problems are taught. By actively embedding researchers and teachers in international research projects and space missions, students also have the attractive opportunity to actively participate in research projects early in their studies.

The TU Wien offers a specialization in the field of aerospace engineering to students for Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering - Management. The new "Student Aerospace Module", which was introduced in 2020, can be chosen by students in their bachelor studies (7 ECTS) or master studies (14 ECTS) and comprises theoretical courses as well as hands-on work on real aerospace projects. This is possible due to a cooperation between the TU Wien and the TU Wien Space Team - a group of students and graduates of the TU Wien that has been working on rockets and satellites for almost ten years.

In March 2023 the TU Wien will start a new course being completed with the final degree Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) in Management & Technology | Space Architecture. This Executive MBA program spans an arc between economics, engineering, architecture and other technical and social sciences, preparing executives, high potentials and those interested in the space market for future requirements in an international and interdisciplinary field of work.

The bachelor's programme in Astronomy aims to provide a first-class basic academic education in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics and space research. It provides students with a solid education in natural sciences. Graduates of the bachelor's programme are well-prepared to enter professional life or continue their academic education in a master's programme.

Graduates of the master's programme are able to independently implement research-oriented projects in the field of astronomy and to critically assess and independently use existing specialist literature. They have received training in the use of technically sophisticated measuring and observation instruments as well as modern large-scale astronomical equipment.

Furthermore, they have acquired the necessary competences to analyse, model and interpret intricate systems and develop a systematic scientific way of thinking, enabling them to address complex problems. Classes are held in German and English. Therefore, students are expected to be proficient (level C1) in both languages.

The University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (FHWN) offers a complete education in Aerospace Engineering. As part of the bachelor program in Mechatronics, students can choose the specialization aerospace engineering during which they will be introduced to the core subjects in this field (25 ECTS).

The master program offers a comprehensive education in the advanced topics of Aerospace Engineering. Experts from the aerospace engineering industry and research institutes provide in-depth insight into all relevant fields of aerospace engineering in 4 semesters (120 ECTS).

In several well-equipped laboratories students complement their theoretical education with hands-on practice in the development of propulsion technologies, fluid dynamics, high speed computation and satellite development. Two laboratories are dedicated to modern manufacturing methods such as composites manufacturing or additive layer manufacturing (3D printing).

An important pillar of the aerospace engineering education is the opportunity to participate in projects. This is enabled through the FHWN research subsidiary, called FOTEC. FOTEC cooperates with space agencies such as ESA and NASA, as well as with major players of the European aerospace industry, in the development of new propulsion systems, space systems and advanced application of additive layer manufacturing. Participation in such projects during internships, or while writing their master thesis, allows students to gain valuable insight into real life projects during their university education.

The International Space University (ISU) is a private university located in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Alsace. It trains professionals in the field of space on the campus of the University of Strasbourg.

The course offerings provide interdisciplinary space education, interdisciplinary programs for students and space professionals in an international environment in a plethora of disciplines:

These range from space engineering and satellite communications to project funding and coordination, space law and space medicine. The training programs are aimed at academics and students of all disciplines.

Lectures are given by renowned guest lecturers from all over the world (ESA, NASA, national space agencies and international research institutions, industry representatives).

ISU trains Space Experts with different programs:

Master of Space Studies (MSS)
One- or two-year MSS program for professional development in the space field and/or writing a master's thesis.

Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program

16-month program for students, academics, and professionals from all disciplines in collaboration with the University of South Australia on topics related to space science, policy, and applications to build and strengthen competencies in Southern Hemisphere countries.

Financial support for participation: grants for participation through the FFG from funds of the national space program of the BMK for participants from Austria who have been selected by the ISU. For information, please contact Michaela Gitsch, FFG (michaela.gitsch@ffg.at).