Space Studies KU Leuven

Overview

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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 from KU Leuven 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.

Career perspectives

Graduates will be in a position to develop a career in the space sector or in space research; taking up roles in the space industry (engineers, product developers and technical-commercial functions), research institutions with activities in space (researchers and project developers), (inter)governmental bodies with responsibilities in research and development programmes related to space (project managers and directors), policymakers on the national, European and international levels and in a broad range of companies and organisations which use or are facilitated by space missions.