Land administration

A critical success factor in economic growth, food security, nature conservation and poverty reduction

Land is at the basis of all societies. Land policy regulates the access to land and the management of land. A sound land policy is a critical success factor in economic growth, food security, nature conservation, the protection of vulnerable groups, poverty reduction and housing. Reports of international agencies such as the World Bank, the European Union, Habitat, FAO and UNDP all devote considerable attention to land issues and land policies.

Land policy and land policy instruments determine how a government can provide access to land, offer tenure security, regulate the land market, implement land reform, protect the environment, and levy land taxes. Such tasks become even more challenging in post-conflict or post-disaster areas, and where government systems are in transition. Applying relevant principles of business administration and information technology, the course provides theoretical and practical knowledge and expertise in building a viable land administration organization.

MSc degree in land administration

The 18-month MSc degree course in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Land Administration (118 ECTS) is designed for young and mid-career professionals involved, or likely to be involved, in developing land administration systems from an academic, managerial, technical and operational perspective. A substantial part of the course is dedicated to information technology and information management for land administration systems and spatial data infrastructures.

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Postgraduate diploma in land administration

The 9-month Postgraduate diploma course in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Land Administration (62 ECTS) caters for young and mid-career professionals who need to be proficient in applying geo-information science and earth observation in their field of interest, analysing problems and applying new methods and techniques, and managing (multi)disciplinary scientific teams.

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Short certificate courses in land administration

Do you have a specific requirement for up-to-date education in (applications of) geo-information science and earth observation for land administration? ITC offers a number of short (distance) courses leading to a certificate. They vary in duration from three weeks to three months.

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ITC is the faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation at the University of Twente. We are located in Enschede, a modern and lively town located at the eastern border of the Netherlands. Its excellent connection to Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Paris and London make Enschede a good place to study for international students.

Why study at ITC?

ITC is recognized worldwide for achievements in teaching in the field of geo-information science and earth observation. The combination of geo-information science and remote sensing in seven domains is unique in the world. Furthermore, at ITC you will:

• Gain valuable international experience
• Study in the cultural heartlands of Europe
• Leave with a thriving network of international contacts

UNU School of Land Administration Studies

As an associated institution of the United Nations University (UNU), ITC contributes to the UNU mission, which is "to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States".

The cooperation between ITC, the Dutch Cadastre and the United Nations University is directed at developing and carrying out a joint programme on capacity building in land administration, and at disseminating knowledge on this topic and directly related issues. The programme activities are accommodated in:

• School for Land Administration Studies