Microcredentials are changing the way professionals develop their careers in Europe. A recent Space-Careers article explains how these short, certified courses allow engineers and technical staff to deepen their expertise in a few days or weeks, without leaving their jobs or enrolling in a full degree.
For the space sector, where technologies, missions and challenges evolve quickly, this is a real opportunity. A microcredential certifies a specific set of skills, carries ECTS credits, and can be combined with others over time to build a strong profile. As the article points out, it works best as a complement to professional experience.
At the EPFL Space Center, we offer two continuing education courses with Formation Continue UNIL-EPFL that lead to a Microcredential (MC) certificate:
Fundamentals of Systems Engineering, applied to the space industry
November 23 to 27, 2026, EPFL campus, Lausanne. 5 days, 1 ECTS. Registration deadline: November 4, 2026.
This one-week course gives a practical foundation in systems engineering, based on leading standards and real mission case studies. Participants cover the full lifecycle, from stakeholder analysis and requirements to architecture, integration, verification, operations and lifecycle management. The week ends with a design competition based on the group work. No prior training in systems engineering is required.
More information and registration
Space Sustainability and Resilience
March 15 to 18, 2027, EPFL campus, Lausanne. 4 days, 2 ECTS. Registration deadline: December 9, 2026.
Organised in collaboration with ESA and the Karman Project, this course explores what space sustainability means and how to measure it. Participants work with tools such as ESA's MASTER and DRAMA suites, the Space Sustainability Rating and Life Cycle Assessment, and learn from experts in industry, research and policy, including Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier.
Information session: Curious to explore further? An online information session will take place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 14:00 to 15:00 (Swiss time). Register for the information session