Master in Planetary Sciences at University of G. d’Annunzio
Two-year English-taught LM-74 master's in Pescara on the geology, geophysics and exploration of planets, moons and small bodies, with space exploration and Earth observation paths, fieldwork and internships.
Master
2 years
Chieti
English
University of G. d’Annunzio
Planetary Sciences is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-74) taught in English at d'Annunzio University's Pescara campus, covering planetary geology, geophysics, remote sensing and space exploration. Access is open after a check of your background, and fees follow family income or country group, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in geological sciences (Italian class L-34) or environmental and natural sciences (L-32), or an equivalent foreign degree in Earth sciences.
- Other science or technology graduates need at least 60 hours of maths and computer science, 60 hours of chemistry and 500 hours of geological, engineering, physical, biological or agronomic subjects.
- English at CEFR B2, shown by a certificate or, without one, in an interview that can be held online. Italian is not required.
- No entrance test: a committee pre-evaluates your academic background and may call you for an interview.
- A legalised or apostilled degree and transcript, with translation and a declaration of value or a CIMEA statement of comparability.
About the programme
Planetary Sciences is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-74, geological sciences and technologies) worth 120 ECTS, run by the Department of Engineering and Geology of d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara. It is taught entirely in English on the Pescara campus and has open access, so there is no fixed number of places.
The degree studies the geological, geophysical, mineralogical and physical processes of planets, including the Earth, their moons and smaller bodies such as meteorites, asteroids and dwarf planets. It suits geology and Earth science graduates, and other science graduates with enough geology, who want to work with data from space missions.
What you will study
The study plan has three curricula: Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration, taught in Pescara; Planetary Geosciences, an Erasmus Mundus joint master with the universities of Nantes and Coimbra; and Earth Observation. Units in the current Space Exploration plan include:
- Planetary Geology and Extreme Geological Events (12 ECTS)
- Geophysical Exploration of the Solar System and Planetary Astrophysics
- Planetary Materials, and Planetary Mapping and Data Processing
- Remote Sensing for Planetary Exploration and Earth Observation Analysis
- Planetary Interiors, and Lunar Geology and Planetary Mining
- Electives such as Astrobiology, Solar System Exploration and Planetary Analogues Field Work
- An internship (6 ECTS) and a 30 ECTS thesis
How the programme is taught
Teaching combines observation, experiment and modelling: you work with remote sensing and space mission data, do geological fieldwork on Earth sites that act as analogues for other planets, and learn to process and model data. Internships are possible at Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). Every student has a personal tutor, and the language centre offers English and Italian courses on request. Space Exploration students can earn at least 12 ECTS at Coimbra or Nantes through Erasmus+. The Planetary Geosciences curriculum moves between Coimbra, Pescara and Nantes and has its own selection, limited to the Erasmus Mundus scholarships available.
Career paths
The course aims to train experts who analyse and interpret planetary mission data, help organise space missions, set science goals for Solar System exploration and define requirements for scientific instruments. The university names these destinations:
- National and international space agencies
- Research institutes and universities, including PhD study
- Industry working on the Earth and on extraterrestrial bodies
Fees and scholarships
d'Annunzio University's 2026/27 fee regulation starts every student with a €156 first instalment (regional tax plus stamp duty). If your family's income is only abroad, an ISEE-U parificato sets the fee on your real situation, and a value of €24,000 or less means nothing beyond that instalment. Otherwise you pay a yearly fee by country group: €0, €600 or €1,300. ADSU Chieti-Pescara scholarship winners are exempt, so the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Start with a pre-evaluation on UdAOnline: the course committee checks your degree and credits against the requirements above and may interview you, also online. For 2026/27, pre-evaluation is open until 31 January 2027 for graduates, but visa applications must reach the embassy by 30 November 2026.
After a positive result, complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. Visa holders must enrol by 31 January 2027, bringing a legalised degree with a declaration of value or CIMEA statement. Dates for 2027/28 are still to come.
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 Sciences taught in English?
Yes. The whole degree is taught in English and Italian is not required. You need English at CEFR B2, shown by a certificate or, if you have none, in an interview that can be held online.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
Geological sciences (L-34) or environmental and natural sciences (L-32), or an equivalent foreign Earth sciences degree. Other science graduates need 60 hours of maths and computing, 60 of chemistry and 500 in geology, engineering, physics, biology or agronomy.
Is there an entrance test?
No. Access is open: a committee pre-evaluates your academic background on UdAOnline and may interview you, also online, to clarify your qualifications.
Where is the programme taught?
On the Pescara campus of d'Annunzio University, in the Department of Engineering and Geology. The Planetary Geosciences curriculum also spends semesters at Coimbra and Nantes as an Erasmus Mundus joint master.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 dates are not out yet. For 2026/27, visa applications must reach the embassy by 30 November 2026 and visa holders must enrol by 31 January 2027, so apply for pre-evaluation early.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 everyone pays a €156 first instalment. With family income only abroad, the yearly fee is €0, €600 or €1,300 by country group, or set by an ISEE-U parificato. ADSU scholarship winners pay only the first instalment.
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