Key features
- Immersion in a research laboratory from the outset of your training
- Participation in an international cohort of students
- Access to PSL’s elective courses, which are designed to enhance your transdisciplinary skills and expand your curriculum
- Mentorship throughout your training
- Opportunity to take a gap year during your Master’s studies to work on a research project
Research in astrophysics & education
Advanced research in astrophysics and space science engineering
aims to understand the physical laws of the Universe, and the structure and evolution of its various components. This wide-ranging field relies on outstanding scientific questions and ambitious projects, ranging from the most theoretical to the most applied frameworks.
Modern astrophysics is characterised by sophisticated, innovative, high-tech instruments ; observations that push the limits of detectability ever further ; creative analytical and numerical calculations ; and ever-increasingly large datasets that require increasingly complex processing.
Thus, through AStroParis’ training by and for research, nurtured by competitive astrophysics projects at PSL, you will acquire and develop, in addition to advanced knowledge in astrophysics, various skills including :
- Large amounts of scientific data analysis.
- Solving complex, interdisciplinary problems solving
- Designing complex instrumental tools
- High-Performance digital methodologies
In addition to generic research skills, you will receive training in scientific communication in English and project management.
Transdisciplinary and soft skills
Once enrolled AStroParis, you will have access to the PSL’s transdisciplinary offer thanks to its various institutions. In particular, you will be able to enrol on courses from graduate programs in Mathematics and Applications and Physics, as well as university-wide training courses in core competencies. These courses are designed to supplement your academic studies, and range from introductory to advanced level.
International
With its international cohort of PSL students, lab immersion and the possibility of a gap year abroad, AStroParis invites you to take part in an international adventure.
Training through research
From the start of your M1 year, you will join a research team and work in an international environment for two half-days a week. The research will be carried out in English.
Find out more about the research conducted at the Observatoire de Paris-PSL .
Gap year
According to your professional project, your mentor will support you to validate your gap year between the M1 and the M2 year.
Mentorship
Each student is assigned a mentor to help them navigate the graduate program, guide them in achieving their academic and professional goals, and support their well-being and personal development. The mentor can advise on course and track selection, help prepare for a possible gap year, provide coaching for oral exams and offer guidance on postdoctoral placements or other career options, as well as providing support in navigating difficult personal or professional situations.
Degrees
AStroParis enables you to prepare for three disctinct degrees
- the M1 Master in Space Science and Technology (SUTS)
- the M2 Master in Space Science and Technology (SUTS), which has four distinct tracks
- a doctorate degree in Physics or Astrophysics
Master’s first year (M1)
The first year consists of scientific and methodological courses. Students become familiar with the tools and concepts of astronomy and astrophysics, while reinforcing their physics and mathematics fundamentals.
This unique first year at PSL is taught entirely in English.
For more information : Master 1.
Master’s second year (M2)
The second year includes four tracks :
- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Celestial Dynamics (AADC)
- International Research Track (IRT) - English track
- Planetary Science and Space Exploration (PES)
- Tools and Systems of Astronomy and Space (OSAE)
For more information : Master 2
Doctorate degree
Doctoral training provides your first professional experience in astrophysics research and project implementation.
For more information : Doctorate degree.
Career opportunities
The purpose of AStroParis is to provide training for scientists, scholars and engineers specialising in space science and astrophysics.
The skills you develop at AStroParis will enable you to pursue opportunities in academia as a scholar, in industry as an engineer, or in consultancy.
M1
M1 students can progress to the M2 Master’s year in Space Science and Technology (SUTS), or to other programs mainly in astrophysics, physics, mathematics or computer science.
M2
Students who do not pursue a doctoral degree are mainly employed in digital or instrumental engineering, primarily in the space or high-tech sectors.
Doctorate degree
On average, it took doctors (one-third of whom were women) from PSL in astrophysics* 2.4 months to find a job. Nearly three-quarters of them work in teaching, research or R&D. Just under half of them work in France, while 16% work outside Europe. Four-ninths work for the public sector and one-third for a private company. Additionally, 83% are satisfied with their professional situation.
*Statistics based on responses from 21 out of 27 graduates in 2018 as of 1 December 2019.
