Master in Planetary Sciences at University of G. d’Annunzio
Two-year English-taught LM-74 R 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. Entry needs a geoscience background and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Chieti
English
University of G. d’Annunzio
Planetary Sciences is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-74 R) taught in English at d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, on its Pescara campus. Entry needs a geology or environmental sciences degree, or another science degree with set hours in maths, chemistry and geoscience subjects, plus English at B2. Fees follow family income or country group, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
d'Annunzio's Planetary Sciences master is open access: you need a bachelor's in geological sciences (L-34) or environmental and natural sciences (L-32), an equivalent foreign Earth sciences degree, or another science or technology degree with set hours or credits in maths, chemistry and geoscience subjects, plus English at B2, all checked in a pre-evaluation. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
Access is open to graduates, Italian or foreign, who hold one of the following. [1]
- An Italian bachelor's in geological sciences (L-34) or environmental and natural sciences (L-32).
- An Italian degree in another science or technology class with at least 6 CFU in maths or computer science (MAT or INF/01), at least 6 CFU in chemistry (CHIM), at least 12 CFU in geology (GEO), and at least 50 CFU across the GEO, ICAR, ING, ING-IND, FIS, BIO or AGR sectors.
- A foreign degree equivalent to an Italian Earth sciences degree, recognised as suitable.
- A foreign degree in another science or technology subject with courses totalling at least 60 hours in maths and computer science, at least 60 hours in chemistry and at least 500 hours in geological, engineering, physical, biological or agronomic subjects.
The programme page does not set a minimum degree grade. [1]
What this means for your transcript
For foreign degrees outside Earth sciences, the rule counts teaching hours by subject area, so your syllabus matters as much as your degree title. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Geology, Applied Geology or Earth Sciences, the closest match to the Earth sciences class.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. in Physics or Environmental Science, or a B.Tech in Civil, Mining or Petroleum Engineering, usually covers the 500 hours in physical, engineering or geological subjects, but chemistry can fall short of 60 hours.
- Often short: a BCA or a B.Tech in Computer Science usually lacks the chemistry hours and the 500 hours in geology, engineering, physics, biology or agronomy. A B.Com, BBA or BA is not a science or technology degree.
The committee may hold an interview, also online, if your qualifications need clarifying. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2. Non-native speakers can show it with a B2 certificate or, without one, in an interview that can be held online. The programme page does not name specific tests or scores. Italian is not required, as the course is taught entirely in English. [1]
Pre-evaluation, no entrance test
There is no entrance test. Every applicant is assessed on geological science background and English. The course committee pre-evaluates your degree through UdAOnline and may interview you, also online. [1][2]
The result is a pass, a pending result while the committee tests your knowledge, or a fail for missing requirements, in which case you add what it asks for and request a new pre-evaluation. Results are valid only for the academic year they are issued, and you can request pre-evaluation for more than one master's. [2]
The Planetary Geosciences curriculum is an Erasmus Mundus joint master with Nantes and Coimbra. Its candidates are selected on qualifications and an interview by a joint committee of the three universities, and places are limited to the scholarships available. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
Applicants who already hold their degree, or will graduate by 31 January 2027, must request pre-evaluation by 31 January 2027. Students graduating after 31 January 2027 have until 30 April 2027. [2]
Non-EU applicants must submit their visa application to the Italian embassy by 30 November 2026, and visa holders must complete enrolment by 31 January 2027 or the visa is revoked. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [2]
Applying before you graduate
Students enrolled in a bachelor's who have earned all their credits except the final exam can request pre-evaluation. If they pass, they can pre-enrol and attend classes and labs while waiting for the degree, but cannot sit exams until it is awarded. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
After a positive pre-evaluation, non-EU applicants who need a visa pre-enrol on Universitaly, then apply for the type D visa at the Italian embassy for the country where they live. [2]
For a two-year master's you need: [2]
- A first-cycle degree that gives access to second-cycle study.
- A university certificate with your transcript and the syllabus of every subject, or a Diploma Supplement where available.
- Legalisation or an apostille, or alternatively a CIMEA verification certificate.
- A translation into Italian or English.
- A declaration of value from the Italian embassy, or a CIMEA statement of comparability.
Visa students are enrolled only after arriving in Italy, registering on UdAOnline, paying the fee and presenting their original documents. [4]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Chieti-Pescara G. d'Annunzio, Department of Engineering and Geology. Planetary Sciences master's degree programme page (class LM-74 R): admission requirements, study plans and course rules, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Chieti-Pescara G. d'Annunzio. Study Guidelines, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Chieti-Pescara G. d'Annunzio. Tuition fee regulations and fee groups for students with income abroad, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Chieti-Pescara G. d'Annunzio. Admission procedure for international students, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Planetary Sciences is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-74 R, 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. [1]
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: [1]
- 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. [1]
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
Under d'Annunzio University's 2026/27 fee regulation, fees follow family income or country group. 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 no annual contribution. Otherwise the yearly fee depends on your country group, and some groups are exempt. ADSU Chieti-Pescara scholarship winners are exempt, so the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students. [3]
How to apply from outside the EU
We 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, graduates request pre-evaluation by 31 January 2027 and students graduating after that date have until 30 April 2027, but visa applications must reach the embassy by 30 November 2026. [1][2]
After a positive result, we complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment, and you 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. [2]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against d'Annunzio's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your UdAOnline pre-evaluation and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ADSU Chieti-Pescara scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Planetary Sciences at d'Annunzio?
A bachelor's in geological sciences (L-34) or environmental and natural sciences (L-32), or an equivalent foreign Earth sciences degree. Other science or technology graduates with a foreign degree need at least 60 hours of maths and computer science, 60 of chemistry and 500 in geological, engineering, physical, biological or agronomic subjects. [1]
Is there an entrance test?
No. Access is open. The course committee pre-evaluates your academic background and English through UdAOnline and may interview you, also online, if your qualifications need clarifying. The Erasmus Mundus curriculum has its own selection by a joint committee. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. Non-native speakers can show it with a B2 certificate or, without one, in an interview that can be held online. The programme page does not name specific tests or scores, and Italian is not required. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, graduates request pre-evaluation by 31 January 2027, but visa applications must reach the embassy by 30 November 2026 and visa holders must enrol by 31 January 2027. Because the visa date comes first, we file the pre-evaluation early. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. Students who have earned all their bachelor's credits except the final exam can request pre-evaluation. If they pass, they can pre-enrol and attend classes while waiting for the degree, but cannot sit exams until it is awarded. [2]
I have a B.Sc. in Physics or a B.Tech in Civil Engineering. Can I apply?
Possibly. These degrees usually cover the 500 hours in physical, engineering or geological subjects, but chemistry can fall short of 60 hours, and the committee checks your syllabus subject by subject. It may also interview you online to clarify your background. [1]
Where is the programme taught?
On the Pescara campus of d'Annunzio University, in the Department of Engineering and Geology. The Planetary Geosciences curriculum spends its first semester at Coimbra, its second in Pescara and its third at Nantes as an Erasmus Mundus joint master. [1]
How do fees work?
The programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. With family income only abroad, the yearly fee depends on your country group, some of which are exempt, or on an ISEE-U parificato, where €24,000 or less means no annual contribution. ADSU scholarship winners are exempt too. [3]
Can someone handle my whole application to Planetary Sciences at d'Annunzio?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against d'Annunzio's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ADSU Chieti-Pescara scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Planetary Sciences?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in Geology or Earth Sciences is the closest fit. Other science or technology graduates, for example in Physics or Civil Engineering, need at least 60 hours of maths and computing, 60 of chemistry and 500 in geology, engineering, physics, biology or agronomy, plus English at B2. The steps are UdAOnline pre-evaluation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Planetary Sciences are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: UdAOnline pre-evaluation, a positive committee result and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Planetary Sciences are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: UdAOnline pre-evaluation, a positive committee result and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Planetary Sciences are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: UdAOnline pre-evaluation, a positive committee result and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
