Master in Planetary Geosciences at University of Padua
English-taught planetary track of the Padua geosciences master, covering planetary geology, cosmochemistry, meteorites, remote sensing exploration and astrobiology, with space agency seminars, an internship and a thesis.
Master
2 years
Padua
Multiple
University of Padua
Planetary Geosciences is a two-year, 120 ECTS study track taught in English within the University of Padua's master's degree in Geosciences for the Earth, the Environment and the Planets (class LM-74-R). Non-EU students with family abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year (2026/27), waived for regional scholarship winners.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years (or equivalent) in geological science and technologies or a related subject, and/or proven skills in geosciences, planetary sciences and remote sensing exploration.
- Entry documents in English or Italian, and a final grade that meets the minimum the university sets for your country.
- English at B2 level of the CEFR, with a certificate from the university's accepted list unless an exemption applies.
- No entrance test: admission is open to applicants who meet the requirements, which are checked on your application file.
- An online application on apply.unipd.it with your transcript, degree certificate, CV, motivation letter and English certificate; legalised documents are not needed at this stage.
About the programme
Planetary Geosciences is an English-taught study track of the master's degree in Geosciences for the Earth, the Environment and the Planets (Geoscienze per la Terra, l'Ambiente e i Pianeti), class LM-74-R (Geological Sciences and Technologies). It is run by the Department of Geosciences within the School of Science in Padua, lasts two years, is worth 120 ECTS and has open admission for applicants who meet the requirements. The track started in 2026/27 and has its own entry on the admissions portal; the same degree also offers Earth Dynamics in English and a third track in Italian.
The track gives the skills needed for planetary geosciences and remote sensing exploration, through research-oriented teaching, field activities and laboratories on space-related topics. It covers the geology of Solar System bodies, space data management and Earth observation, geomaterials including meteorites, planetary analogues, landing site characterisation, in situ resource exploration and astrobiology.
What you will study
The first year combines a choice of core geology units with the planetary core and two electives. The second year adds computational or analytical options. Units in the 2027/28 plan include:
- Planetary Geology and Solar System Exploration
- Cosmochemistry
- Asteroids, Meteorites and Extraterrestrial Materials
- Remote Sensing Exploration
- Earth Surfaces and Deposits or Earth Interior and Evolution, and Applied Geophysics or Geological Resources
- Electives: Mineral Physics of Planetary Interiors; Planetary Magmatism, Volcanism and Volcanotectonics; ISRU and Human Settlement; Early Life and Astrobiology
- Computational Mechanics for Multi-phase Media in the Solar System, or Analysis of Mineral Resources and Industrial Derivatives (second year)
- Digital Data Processing, Numerical Methods for Geosciences, or Planetary Dynamics Evolution (second year)
How the programme is taught
The second year includes a seminar series with space agency representatives and astronauts, free-choice credits, an internship and the final thesis.
Career paths
The university says graduates in planetary geoscience can work in space-oriented companies dealing with remote sensing, GIS and digital geological mapping, in analytical laboratories and in space agencies. It also lists:
- Science communication in museums and parks
- PhD programmes at research universities worldwide
Fees and scholarships
The degree belongs to the School of Science, which puts it in fee Group B. For 2026/27, non-EU students with a household outside Italy pay a fixed €2,990 a year, or €996.66 if they are citizens of a country on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries; the ISEE parificato only lowers the regional tax. Students who win the Veneto regional scholarship, run by the University of Padua, are exempt from the fee, so zero euro tuition for eligible students applies to them. See the fees page.
How to apply from outside the EU
Select the Planetary Geosciences entry on apply.unipd.it, which is separate from the Earth Dynamics track. Upload your transcript, degree certificate, CV, motivation letter and English certificate, and pay the €60 fee. For 2027/28, non-EU applicants living abroad can apply from 15 September to 15 November 2026 or from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027.
After admission you pay a non-refundable €208 to accept, complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. Your qualifications must be legalised, apostilled or verified by CIMEA by 31 August 2027; teaching begins on 1 October 2027.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is Planetary Geosciences a separate degree?
No. It is an English-taught study track of the master's degree in Geosciences for the Earth, the Environment and the Planets (LM-74-R). It has its own entry on apply.unipd.it, and you need English at B2 level of the CEFR.
What does the track cover?
Planetary geology and Solar System exploration, cosmochemistry, asteroids and meteorites, remote sensing exploration and electives such as astrobiology or in situ resource use, plus seminars with space agency representatives and astronauts, an internship and a thesis.
What background do I need?
A degree of at least three years in geological science and technologies or a related subject, and/or proven skills in geosciences, planetary sciences and remote sensing. Your grade must meet the minimum set for your country.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
Non-EU applicants living abroad can apply from 15 September to 15 November 2026 or from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. The fee is €60 and teaching begins on 1 October 2027.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27, non-EU students with family abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year, or €996.66 if from a country on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries. Veneto regional scholarship winners are exempt from the fee.
What careers does it lead to?
The university names space-oriented companies working in remote sensing, GIS and digital geological mapping, analytical laboratories, space agencies, science communication in museums and parks, and PhD programmes.
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