Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration, M.Sc.
Master's in Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration at Freie Universität Berlin, Germany — a research-oriented program bridging planetary geology, atmospheric physics, space mission technology, and computational earth sciences, jointly shaped by three Earth Sciences institutes alongside active collaborations with the DLR Institute of Planetary Research and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. Specializations cover space mission design and instrumentation, planetary surface processes and morphology, and remote sensing and geodata analysis, with students engaging directly with active researchers from the start of the program. Taught in English.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Required English | B2 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester, summer semester |
| Application | uni-assist (VPD) + the university, winter semester until 31.05, summer semester until 15.01 |
| Admission | Aptitude assessment: the university evaluates how well your previous education fits the programme |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €376.80 per semester |
| Campus | Campus.Leben |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
Admission goes through an aptitude assessment: the university checks how well the subjects, credits and grades of your previous education fit the programme. There is no fixed cut-off — the assessment is comparative.
- ✓Those fascinated by the physical and geological processes that shape planets, moons, and other bodies across the solar system and beyond
- ✓Those who enjoy working at the intersection of observational data (satellite imagery, remote sensing) and quantitative modelling
- ✓Those who see their future in a research environment — whether in academia, at a space agency, or in the aerospace industry — and want a degree that positions them for all three
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- ✓Those who are comfortable with a mathematically and computationally demanding curriculum and enjoy translating physical theory into data-driven analysis
- ✓Those attracted to Berlin's planetary science ecosystem, including proximity to DLR's Institute of Planetary Research and major natural history collections
- ✓Those who want genuine flexibility to specialize — from exoplanets and celestial mechanics to meteorite analysis and satellite meteorology — rather than following a fixed track
- —The program draws applicants from natural sciences and engineering backgrounds across many countries; places are limited and the examining board assesses each application individually against the academic criteria, so the process is not purely grade-based
- —The curriculum is mathematically and computationally intensive from the first semester; students without solid quantitative foundations may find the pace demanding
- —Berlin is one of Germany's most expensive cities for living costs, which is relevant when planning a budget around a tuition-free program
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- —The program is strongly oriented toward research careers and doctoral continuation; those seeking a direct route into industry should weigh whether the academic profile matches their goals, though aerospace and satellite technology employers are among the recognized pathways
- —The master's thesis requires genuine independent research contribution and is defended orally; this is not a coursework-only degree and demands significant self-organization in the final semester
- —An international study semester is optional, not embedded — students who want mobility abroad need to plan and apply for it proactively
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →About the programme
The master's program in Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration at Freie Universität Berlin offers a rigorous, research-driven curriculum that bridges planetary geology, atmospheric physics, space mission technology, and computational earth sciences. The program is jointly shaped by three institutes within the Department of Earth Sciences — geological sciences, geographical sciences, and meteorology — and maintains active research collaborations with the DLR Institute of Planetary Research and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin.
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The curriculum is structured in three tiers. A synchronization area at the start of the program ensures all students share a common foundation in geological principles, computational modelling, and the physical-mathematical tools required for planetary science. This is followed by a mandatory core covering planet formation, planetary physics, atmospheric and climate dynamics, GIS and remote sensing methods, and supervised research seminars that place students in direct contact with active researchers from the outset.
The elective specialization tier provides substantial flexibility, with modules spanning space mission design, planetary surface morphology, celestial mechanics, the outer solar system, magnetospheres, exoplanets, satellite meteorology, geophysical modelling of planets and moons, numerical methods, and laboratory analysis of planetary materials including meteorites. Field trips to planetary analogue sites are also offered. This breadth allows students to tailor the degree toward either observational/remote sensing tracks or theoretical/computational directions.
An embedded professional experience component — including an eight-week internship — connects students to the broader research and industry landscape early in their studies. The program culminates in a master's thesis written in English during the fourth semester, defended through a presentation and oral examination. The thesis is typically embedded within one of the active research areas of the faculty or its partner institutions, offering genuine contributions to ongoing planetary science investigations.
What you study
Synchronization Area (first semester, 12 CP — 2 of 3 modules required)
- Geological Foundations (6 CP): Fundamental geological knowledge needed to understand the structure and evolution of terrestrial planets — rock-forming processes, stratigraphy, and structural geology as applied in a planetary context.
- Computational Methods (6 CP): Core methods of computational modelling and data analysis as currently used in planetary and geosciences research, including numerical approaches and scientific programming foundations.
- Physical and Mathematical Foundations (6 CP): Physical and mathematical tools — differential equations, vector calculus, statistical methods — that underpin quantitative work throughout the program.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Graduates are qualified for independent scientific research in planetary sciences and space exploration. Recognized employment pathways include positions at research institutions and universities, major space agencies such as ESA and NASA, and industrial sectors focused on aerospace engineering, satellite technology, and Earth observation. The strong research component and Berlin's academic density also make this program a natural gateway to doctoral study in planetary sciences, geophysics, or related fields.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Berlin), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €376.80 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in the natural sciences or engineering sciences from a German university or a comparable international institution is required. |
|---|---|
| Language | English B2 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | uni-assist (VPD) + the university, winter semester until 31.05, summer semester until 15.01 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application uni-assist (VPD) + the university until 15.01uni-assist checks documents for 4–6 weeks — send them well before the deadline.
- 4Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
If your level is not enough yet
The two most common stoppers are a language level below the requirement and a certificate without direct admission. Both can be solved, but they take months — plan them now, not after a rejection.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 15.01.2027 (93 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.