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Space and Climate Physics MPhil/PhD

Dorking, Surrey

This is the programme information for 2025 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Space and Climate Physics MPhil/PhD (2024), click here

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2025/26)

£6,215

£3,105

Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)

£33,000

£16,500

Duration

3-5 Years

5 calendar years

Programme starts

October 2025

February 2026

May 2026

Applications accepted

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but should be submitted at least three months prior to your preferred start date.

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

An upper second-class Bachelor’s degree, or a second-class Bachelor’s degree together with an MSc from a UK university in a relevant subject, or an overseas equivalent qualification.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

UCL MSSL is at the forefront of space science research and space instrumentation development. We work closely with international collaborators in academic institutions, major space agencies and industry partners such as NASA, ESA, JAXA and Astrium. Through interaction with colleagues in academia and industry, students build networks nationally and internationally and acquire valuable transferable skills. UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory (UCL MSSL) is a world-leading space science laboratory. Based in the Surrey Hills near Dorking, MSSL has been undertaking cutting-edge astrophysics and space science research and space technology for over 50 years. Our research covers all aspects of astrophysics and space science research, from understanding the Sun and its interaction with the planets, to understanding galaxies and the matter that makes up the universe. We build and operate cutting edge space hardware for multinational space missions. We offer a range of research degrees, including PhDs in Space Science, Astrophysics and Systems Engineering. Our PhD students develop skills in public speaking, data analysis techniques and innovation that make them highly attractive to potential employers. The close contact that MSSL enjoys with Space Agencies, such as ESA and NASA, and with industrial research teams also encourages the development of valuable transferable skills, such as project management skills, which enhance job prospects post-PhD. Former students have pursued successful careers in academia, industry, government-funded research, public policy and engagement, teaching, finance and IT. Former students have pursued successful careers in academia, industry, government-funded research, public policy and engagement, teaching, finance and IT.

Who this course is for

This Research Degree is suited for applicants interested in academic careers researching Astronomy, Space Science or Systems Engineering in the UK or other countries. This course is also relevant for applicants interested in gaining the scientific, technical skills and critical thinking skills for non-academic careers.

Read about what it takes to become a UCL graduate research student

What this course will give you

Research training takes place at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory (UCL MSSL) in Surrey, except for systems engineering where the students may work at the Bloomsbury Campus depending on their project.

UCL MSSL offers a inspiring environment at the forefront of space science. Scientists work alongside top engineers, designing, building and testing instruments for launch in space and analysing the data from both these instruments and others. Most research projects use data from either ground-based or space-borne instrumentation and students benefit significantly from the laboratory's involvement in numerous space missions. In addition to studying their chosen research topic, students are encouraged to increase their employability by learning other invaluable skills associated with the interdisciplinary nature of this laboratory such as space technology, and project management.

Find out how your research could have an impact

The foundation of your career

Recent graduates have taken up academic posts at NASA, the Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Goddard Space Flight Center, European Space Agency and in academia. Others have entered professional occupations, within areas as diverse as IT and finance.

Employability

All of our PhD programmes require students to develop strong IT skills, manipulate large volumes of data and clearly present their work to a range of specialist audiences. As a result our graduates are highly numerate, technically competent, and articulate, with excellent problem-solving skills. This makes them attractive to a wide range of employers, as can be seen from their career destinations. Through international collaborations, interactions with industry and opportunities to work with schools and the general public, they also develop unique insight into the requirements of future employers. This gives them an invaluable competitive edge when beginning their chosen career.

Networking

PhD students are actively encouraged to collaborate widely with national and international colleagues through existing departmental links, as well as new ones. Many become involved with space projects, giving them vitally important opportunities to interact with key players and future employers in both academia and the space industry. There are opportunities for public engagement and policy involvement at all levels, including working with schools, the public, applying for funding, sitting on national subject-specific committees and meeting with politicians, all of which provide excellent networking possibilities.

Teaching and learning

Our research degree programme is purely research-based.

You have to submit a thesis about your original research, and the thesis is required to meet the UCL criteria for the research degree. Your nominated examiners will assess your thesis, including the viva examination.

A typical full-time PhD student is expected to spend an average of approximately 36.5 hours per week working on their PhD, although this will vary, with some periods of more intensive research.

Research areas and structure

Astrophysics: cosmology; galaxy formation and evolution; active galactic nuclei; gamma-ray; neutron stars and magnetars; exoplanet
Theory: theoretical and computational astrophysics of systems from planets, the sun, stars and galaxies to the universe and their associated radiative and dynamical processes
Planetary science: plasma interaction processes; giant planet magnetospheres; plasma at Mars, Venus, Titans, moons and comets; dust-plasma interactions; ionospheres; surfaces and atmospheres from rovers
Solar physics: solar activity and its consequences within the solar system; emergence and evolution of solar magnetic fields; solar eruptions; solar wind formation
Space plasma physics: local space environment, including physics of the heliosphere and terrestrial magnetosphere; magnetic reconnection, radiation belt and auroral particle acceleration; space weather
Photon and particle detector development: particle detectors; charge-coupled devices; sub Kelvin cryo-coolers for space and ground based applications
System engineering: system modelling and optimisation, risk modelling and management, technology planning, project management, defining system engineering.

Research environment

UCL Department of Space & Climate Physics is based at UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory (UCL MSSL). UCL MSSL is the UK's largest university-based space science group. We offer a inspiring environment at the forefront of space science research and space instrumentation development, working closely with international collaborators in academia, major space agencies and industry. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 exercise placed UCL Physics (which includes UCL MSSL) UCL Physics REF 2021 submission ranking 5th highest nationally for research power in the latest Research Excellence Framework, with a 100% inclusion rate, indicating the excellence of the entire academic staff.

Research in the department encompasses a wide variety of topics in the areas of astrophysics, solar and space plasma physics, planetary science, detector physics, cryogenics, and systems engineering. Our researches hugely benefit from UCL MSSL’s strong involvement in the space missions. We have many laboratories and test facilities, including several clean rooms and vibration test facilities. The strength and uniqueness of MSSL is that scientists and engineers are working at the same place, together producing new science opportunities supported by technological developments.

You can take full advantages of this inspiring research environment at UCL MSSL, and pursue original research for your PhD degree. Our supervisors are fully committed to guide you through your research and help you to develop skills and knowledge which will be valuable for your future career. UCL MSSL is an Institute of Physics' Juno Practitioner, which recognises and celebrates good employment practices for women working in higher education and research.

The length of registration for the research degree programme may depend on types of funding received. It is normally between 3 and 4 years. If you are not ready to submit your thesis within this registered period, you may register as a completing research student (CRS) for one year to write up your thesis.

You will be registered initially as a MPhil degree candidate. Around 9-12 months after your initial registration, you are expected to transfer to the PhD programme after a successful upgrade viva where your progress will be assessed by academic staff other than your primary supervisor.

You are assigned a research panel when you begin your research degree studies, comprising of your primary and secondary supervisor and a panel chair from a different research group. The panel provides support and monitors progress through a series of regular meetings.

You are encouraged to write up your research for peer-reviewed journals during the course of your PhD. You will have many opportunities to attend and present your research at international conferences in the UK and other countries.

The length of registration for the research degree programme may depend on types of funding received. It is normally 5 years. If you are not ready to submit your thesis within this registered period, you may register as a completing research student (CRS) for two year to write up your thesis.

You will be registered initially as a MPhil degree candidate. Around 18-24 months after your initial registration, you are expected to transfer to the PhD programme after a successful upgrade viva where your progress will be assessed by academic staff other than your primary supervisor.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£6,215	£3,105
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£33,000	£16,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Science and Technology Facilities Council ( STFC) studentships may be available.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Deadlines and start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements so check with the department or academic unit to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation. In most cases you should identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application. For more information see our How to apply page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Research Degree: Space and Climate Physics, Full-time

Research Degree: Space and Climate Physics, Part-time

Year of entry: 2024-2025