Curious about studying Planetary Sciences MScat University of Aberdeen? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
Old Aberdeen Campus
Part Time
Sep 2026
2 Year
This programme is designed to provide students from any academic background an informed understanding of planetary atmospheres and landforms, space environment, remote sensing, data analysis, astrobiology and space systems engineering and instrumentation, giving you a springboard for a career in the rapidly expanding space sector. We live in a time of unprecedented investment and collaboration in space exploration led by the ‘big six’ space agencies – NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, CNSA, ISRO and JAXA – and an ever-growing list of national space agencies and private companies such as SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, who are keen to compete in the rapidly expanding spaceflight sector. The ambitious plans for the following decades include sending humans back to the moon, establishing a colony on Mars, searching for life near Saturn, sending missions to probe the metalcore of a dead planet, and exploring the hidden ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa. These plans pose significant scientific and technological challenges that can only be overcome through an interdisciplinary approach. This programme draws on the diverse expertise of our planetary sciences team to provide you with a detailed understanding of the pioneering research and technological developments that will guide the future development of space exploration. You will study the Earth and other objects of the solar system such as the Moon, Mars and exoplanets, to understand the critical steps of formation of these objects - including the physics of atmospheres, magnetic fields, geomorphology of the surface, isotopic differentiation and the formation of habitable environments. You will also develop key technical research skills needed for deep space exploration such as remote sensing, spectroscopy, and instrument design. This programme also provides you with key transferable skills needed to tackle challenges outside of space exploration, such as instrument design, geology, microbiology and environmental sciences, and data analysis in remote sensing. This training and skill development means you will be well-equipped for a career in the space industry, as well as careers outside of planetary research.
This course will explore the origins and likely extent of life on Earth and in the Solar System. We will begin by discussing the elements and building blocks of life and processes that can make precursors of life (e.g. amino acids). We will then discuss how microbial life may be fossilised and how to identify ancient and extra-terrestrial signs of life. We will make use of our excellent analytical facilities to show how biotic signals can be distinguished from abiotic effects, including exploring organic carbon biomarkers, and using examples of fossilisation of microorganisms by siliceous and carbonate minerals from lakes, streams, hot-springs and oceans. From there, we will be able to explore potentially habitable environments of our Solar System, and learn about current and future astrobiological exploration missions (Martian rovers and orbiters, asteroid, comets, sample return, ocean worlds?)
Data sets derived from remote sensing, meteorites and samples retrieved from the Lunar surface will be integrated to inform understanding of geological processes that play within and upon the surface of terrestrial planets. This course will develop essential geologically based reasoning skills through diverse data sets, building upon and contributing to the students? wider understanding of Planetary Sciences.
This course provides practical training on some of the most challenging issues of space exploration. In this course, the student will overview the present and future challenges of space exploration, including in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), sample return missions and planetary protection (PP).
4.4
