INTERNATIONAL
MASTER DEGREE
(LAUREA MAGISTRALE)
IN PLANETARY
SCIENCES
The Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio” (UdA), in collaboration with the International Research School of Planetary Sciences, organizes a Master (Laurea Magistrale) in Planetary Sciences, composed by two programs:
Key information
Duration:
2 years full-time
Minimum entry requirements:
3 years Bachelor’s Degree
Language:
English
Mixed learning modes include distance and in-person education
ECTS: 120
Learning mode: Students may choose from in-person and distance learning for Terms 1 and 3. Term 2 requires in-person learning for field courses. The learning mode for Term 4 which is devoted to Thesis work will depend on individual arrangements.
Location: Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia
Campus: Sede di Pescara, Viale Pindaro, 42, 65127 Pescara (Italy)
For Info: info@irsps.unich.it
Planetary sciences, the study of planets, including Earth, and other celestial bodies, is an exciting area of study that is constantly being infused with new information from space missions conducted by space agencies around the world. Current and upcoming space missions include such diverse targets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, the asteroid belt and further afield in the outer Solar System, such as the Jupiter and Saturn systems and even the Kuiper Belt. Planetary sciences are a diverse discipline that brings together geologists, physicists, biologists and engineers. This discipline is strictly linked with planetary missions and the operations of rovers and drones. In addition, the human exploration is currently in advanced planning for the settlement of humans on the Moon… and Mars will be the next step.
This Master degree program provides a comprehensive knowledge of planetary bodies, through the study of planetary geology, remote sensing, Earth analogues studies, theoretical modelling, planetary astrophysics, spacecraft instrumentation and space mission development that will provide graduates the skills necessary to participate in the dynamic space sector in Europe and in the world.
Thanks to the broad and diverse competencies inherent planetary science, this degree can enable different career paths for graduates including work in academic institutes and research centers, in space-related industries, in national/international space agencies and in the fields of Earth observation.
Programme starts October 2025.
Application accepted to be defined.
The Università d’Annunzio is split in two campuses in the cities of Chieti and Pescara (Italy). The Course is held in Pescara, a seaside city with a long beach facing the Adriatic Sea. Pescara is a lively Mediterranean city located in a coastal plain at the borders of the highest peaks of the Apennine (the backbone of the Italian boot).
Historically, Pescara was a fisherman town. This old settlement has been almost totally destroyed during World War II and most of the city is modern, but with a taste of lively Mediterranean life.
“Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration” Study Programme
First year (2025-2026)
First term (in class or online)
Second term (in class)
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GEO/02 |
REMOTE SENSING |
6 |
TBD |
|
FIS/05 |
PLANETARY ASTROPHYSICS |
6 |
TBD |
|
FIS/05 |
SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION (OPZ) |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
EXTREME GEOLOGICAL EVENTS ON EARTH AND PLANETARY BODIES (EI1) |
6 |
TBD |
|
BIO/04 |
ASTROBIOLOGY |
6 |
TBD |
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GEO/02 |
PLANETARY GEOLOGY (EI1) |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
PLANETARY ANALOGUES FIELD WORK |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
PLANETARY MAPPING AND DATA PROCESSING |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/06 |
PLANETARY MATERIALS |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/2 |
COMPARATIVE SEDIMENTOLOGY |
6 |
TBD |
Second year (2026-2027)
Third term (in class or online)
Fourth term
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GEO/10 |
GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION OF THE PLANETS |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/04 |
EARTH OBSERVATION ANALYSIS |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
GLOBAL CHANGES (OPZ) |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
EXPLORATION AND SCIENCE OF THE MOON (OPZ) |
6 |
TBD |
|
FIS/05 |
PLANETARY INTERIOS |
6 |
TBD |
|
|
TO BE SELECTED BY STUDENTS |
12 |
|
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
MASTER THESIS |
30 |
|
|
|
STAGES ABROAD/INTERNSHIP |
6 |
|
“Earth Observation” Study Programme
First year (2025-2026)
First term (in class or online)
Second term (in class)
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GEO/04 |
EARTH OBSERVATION ANALYSIS
|
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/09 |
SATELLITE MULTI/HYPERSPECTRAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INSIGHTS |
6 |
TBD |
|
ICAR/06 |
GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
|
6 |
TBD |
|
ING - INF/05 |
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
|
6 |
TBD |
|
ICAR/06 |
SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND GEOPROCESSING WITH ESRI SOFTWARE |
6 |
TBD |
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GEO/02 |
SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS
|
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/03 |
MARINE GEOLOGY |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
GLOBAL CHANGES |
6 |
TBD |
|
AGR/14 |
EARTH OBSERVATION MULTI THEMATIC APPLICATIONS
|
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
COMPARATIVE SEDIMENTOLOGY |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/02 |
DIGITAL FIELD MAPPING WITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
|
6 |
TBD |
|
ICAR/06 |
CLOSE RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND 3D LASER SCANNING
|
6 |
TBD |
Second year (2026-2027)
Third term (in class or online)
Fourth term
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GEO/03 |
EARTHQUAKE GEOLOGY AND TECTONIC DEFORMATION THROUGH EARTH OBSERVATION DATA |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/10 |
VOLCANO GEOLOGY AND ERUPTION MONITORING THROUGH EARTH OBSERVATION DATA |
6 |
TBD |
|
GEO/05 |
SLOPE STABILITY AND LANDSLIDE MONITORING
|
6 |
TBD |
| SSD | Course | CFU | Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
MASTER THESIS |
30 |
|
|
|
STAGES ABROAD/INTERNSHIP |
6 |
|
Lectures
Lectures will focus on the geological and physical fundamentals and processes of solid bodies of the Solar System and extrasolar systems. Professors and researchers with involvement in past and current space missions for both the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and international space agencies such as ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) will provide students first-hand knowledge about space exploration as well as involve them in current and upcoming mission analysis for their Master Thesis work.
Practicals
Practicals will provide hands-on training in data processing techniques for space mission data including imaging and geological mapping of planetary surfaces, Earth analogues study, and planetary interiors modelling. Students will learn to use data processing, imaging and mapping software such as ISIS, NASA Ames Stereo Pipeline, ArcGIS/QGIS, MATLAB while also learning practical skills such as analysing scientific, engineering and mission operational constraints and assessing mission landing sites.
Field Trips
A major component of the teaching programme are the field trips where the student will be able to investigate terrestrial analogues, which are sites on Earth that have geology and or other environmental conditions that may be similar to past or present conditions on other planets. Field work will focus on geologic features and processes present on Mars, the Moon, Mercury and Venus.
Field work will be organised in Italy, Spain, Morocco.
How to enroll
General Information
The enrolment procedure for the Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale) in Planetary Sciences – Curriculum in Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration starts with the Pre-Enrolment phase.
- Pre-Enrolment opening: April 2025
- Universitaly platform (for non-EU students): May 2025
- Final enrolment (EU students): from August 2025
- Deadline: November 2025 (after this date, extra fees may apply)
Dates are to be confirmed and will be finalised in the next few months.
For further information, please visit University of Chieti-Pescara Website
Important Notes
- Students with foreign degrees do not need a translation if documents are in English, French, Spanish, or Italian.
- Documents in other languages require an official translation.
Admission Steps for EU Nationals
- University Registration
- Go to Unich.it → MyPage → Studenti → Ud’A Online
- Select Menu (top right) → choose your language → Registration → Web Registration
- A personal Italian ID number will be generated automatically if you do not have one.
- Bank account information can be provided later (only needed for refunds).
- A [Tutorial for Registration] is available.
- Pre-Evaluation (Pre-Enrolment)
- Login to MyPage → Studenti → Ud’A Online → Login
- Upload your previous degree and documents for evaluation.
- Results will be available within a few days.
- Recommendation letters and additional documents can also be uploaded.
- A [Tutorial for Pre-Enrolment] is available.
- Final Enrolment (from August 2025)
- Login to MyPage and follow the online instructions.
The following categories follow EU rules:
- EU citizens (including Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, San Marino)
- Non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy
- Students with EU programme scholarships
- Students enrolled in joint international programmes
Admission Steps for Non-EU Nationals
- Pre-Enrolment (from April 2025)
- Same registration process as EU nationals (see above).
- Pre-Evaluation
- Login to MyPage and upload your documents for validation.
- Universitaly Registration (from May 2025)
- Visit Universitaly.it
- Start VISA procedures (if required)
- Submit pre-enrolment request for the course
- Final Enrolment
- Once your degree is verified, you will follow the same final enrolment steps as EU students.
- IRSPS/University staff will provide support if needed.
Admission Requirements
- A three-year first cycle degree (Bachelor equivalent) in Earth Sciences or related fields (Geology, Geophysics, Marine Science, Natural Sciences, etc.).
- Candidates from other technical-scientific subjects must meet specific curricular requirements:
- ≥ 6 ECTS in Mathematics / Computer Science
- ≥ 6 ECTS in Chemistry
- ≥ 50 ECTS in Geology / Engineering / Physics / Biology / Agronomy
For preliminary assessment of your eligibility, contact: info@irsps.unich.it.
If requirements are partially missing, the Board of Studies may:
- Approve admission directly, or
- Schedule an interview and propose an individual study plan.
Documents Required
At the time of pre-enrolment you will need to upload:
- Passport copy
- Copy of Bachelor’s degree (3-year course)
- Copy of high school diploma
- Diploma Supplement (preferred) OR Transcript of Records (exams, credits, grades)
During pre-enrolment, scanned copies are sufficient. At final enrolment, original certified documents are required.
Certification of Foreign Qualifications
For non-EU qualifications, documents must be certified by one of the following:
- CIMEA certification (recommended, fee required) → CIMEA Portal
- Apostille (for Hague Convention 1961 countries) → List of Countries
- Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) issued by the Italian Embassy in the country of degree award.
Stages abroad
The students will have the possibility to attend terms and internships in other European Universties
These activities will be finances by two European Union programmes (detailed Information will be available in Summer 2025). These grants are in addition with the eventual Scholarships from MAECI and UdA:
- Academic Terms at Coimbra and Nantes
A student will be able to apply for a grant to attend the 3rd or 4th terms in Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal) and the Universitè Nantes (France). These two Universities are partner along with the Universtà d’Annunzio in the Joint Master Degree that is the object of the European Mundus Curriculum. A student of the International Master in Planetary Sciences, curriculum in Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration could attend the the 3rd year terms in the University of Nantes or Coimbra. Information will be available at the beginning of the Academic Year.
The stay will be financed by the Erasmus + programme.
- Internships in a GeoPlaNet institutions
The GeoPlanet Consortium is formed by a group of Universities and Institutions around Europe and also the Rest of the World. In addition to opportunities in Italy for Internships you will be able to spend your Internship in one the GeoPlanet partners.
This is the list of the GeoPlanet partners. Details on applications to obtains grants will be available before the beginning of the Academic Year.
The grants will be financed by the Erasmus Traineeship programme.
Scholarships
Scholarships for non-Italian students to attend the International Master in Planetary Sciences, Curriclum in Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration
Two different types of scholarships are available to attend the International Master: one from the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e Commercio Internazionale (MAECI) and another from the Università d’Annunzio (UdA). These opportunities are for non-Italian nationals and include European and extra-European nationals.
These grants may waive the University tuitions. The scholarships do not entirely cover the living costs and are just a contributions.
· Università d’Annunzio (UdA)
The Call for the Scholarships of the Università d’Annunzio is open.
The scholarships are offered by the International Office of the Università d’Annunzio.
The Call and other material are available here.
Applications deadline is July 31st, 2025
The scholarships do not entirely cover the living costs and are just a contributions.
Remember that you are applying for a scholarships to attend a Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo) Laurea Magistrale in Planetary Sciences (Master Degree in Planetary Sciences).
The Scholarships are available for EU and non-EU citizens with non-Italian degrees
If you are a non-European Union citizen you have to apply for the pre-enrolment and starting the VISA application to universitaly.it
If you are an EU citizen you must pre-enrol in the University website.
- Ministero degli Affari Esteri e Commercio Internazionale (MAECI)
The scholarships are offered by the Ministero degli Affari esteri e del Commercio con l’Estero (MAECI).
The Call is available here.
Applications deadline is June 9th, 2025
Remember that you are applying for a scholarships to attend a Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo) Laurea Magistrale in Planetary Sciences.
You have to ask a 9 month grant. You will have to submit a renewal to be supported in the second year.
Check the list of eligible Countries.
If you are a non-European Union citizen you have to apply for the pre-enrolment and starting the VISA application to universitaly.it. If you are an EU citizen and if you already got he pre-enrolment from the University, you can use the email that qualify you as pre-enrolled.
For info email to info@irsps.unich.it.