The International Space University sounds like the sort of place an astronaut-obsessed child might make up.

But it’s real, and for Dorota Filipowicz, it’s her destination this summer.

The University of East London student is looking to head to Haifa, Israel to enrol on an eight week space studies programme.

The course requires students to learn about everything that makes space travel possible, from engineering to humanities to law.

As she is studying for an MSc in applied positive psychology and coaching psychology, Dorota’s main focus is about the mental aspect of travelling out of this world.

She said: “I want to find out how, as a psychologist, I can contribute to space sciences and also which aspects of space psychology I can apply to enrich humanity’s everyday existence.”

The challenge for Dorota is that the tuition fees for the programme are £14,000. The acting Dean of UEL’s School of Psychology, Professor Rachel Mulvey, has already pledged £2,000 to the cause, and Dorota has set up a web page where people can donate. Through this, she has been pledged over £7,000 but still needs another £7000 of donations to reach her target.

She said, “I’m grateful for any help big or small. To pay back for your generosity, I’m going to publish a regular blog about the social and scientific aspects of my educational adventure, and make a short movie explaining the role that various disciplines play in space exploration.

“I’m also looking forward to any opportunity of sharing my experience with a wider audience by presenting educational talks in schools and universities to encourage and inspire young people to learn about the beauty of the universe and empower them to reach for the stars.”

Visit gofundme.com/dorotaspacestudy if you would like to support Dorota.