Study

Master of Science degree course in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for

Governance and Spatial Information Management

Geo-information has gained importance in societies over the past decades. The public sector has always been a major spatial data provider and user. Topographic mapping, land use planning, environmental management, land administration and land registration are examples of public sector activities in which geo-information plays a major role.

Public policy development and public management have undergone major shifts because of government reform, decentralization, market reform and information technologies. Governments have invested in digital registration systems, and many are active in developing service delivery to citizens via internet technology. Nowadays, too, the use of information technology for policy evaluation and policy design is being explored.

For whom is the course relevant?

The course is targeted at professionals and students from countries where the improvement of governance and the development of digital (geo-)information are on the political agenda. More specifically, it is designed for:

• mid-career professionals with a Bachelor degree (minimum) in a science appropriate for a job in the public sector, particularly professionals in policy agencies where ICT developments are in progress
• Bachelor students in relevant disciplines who wish to strengthen their capabilities in handling the spatial component for policy analysis and policy design.

What is the course content?

The course lasts 18 months and consists of three blocks:

Concepts of public administration
Economics; policy design and policy evaluation; law; governance and political science; spatial planning, environmental policy and law.

Concepts of geo-information and GIS
Data models and databases; GIS theory and techniques; remote sensing and GPS; visualization and cartography; land administration and land policy.

Participants who studied these concepts in their academic formation can be awarded credits for these topics.

Advanced topics
Environmental policy; environmental economics; information and governance; spatial methods and techniques; spatial decision support; information systems and data management; fieldwork.

Research
Research skills; thesis research.

What will be achieved?

This course provides participants with an adequate understanding of systems of governance and the embedded role of spatial information, as well as the competencies necessary to improve the quality of public administration, policy evaluation and policy design. The course integrates geosciences with social and political sciences.

Why choose this course?

The course is given jointly by ITC and other faculties of the University of Twente. This cooperation provides an environment in which the social and political sciences at the University are combined with the natural and geo-information sciences at ITC. With regard to research, the course participant will be able to focus on a theme of personal and professional interest.

Admission requirements

Academic level and background

Applicants for the Master of Science (MSc) degree programme should have a Bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a discipline related to the course, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.

English language

As all courses are given in English, proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite. If you are a national of one of the countries in this list (PDF), you are exempted from an English language test. Please note: the requirements when applying for fellowships may vary according to the regulations of the fellowship provider.

English language tests: minimum requirements

Only internationally recognised test results are accepted.

Computer skills

Although introductory lessons on computer skills are scheduled in the Master of Science (MSc) degree programme, applicants lacking computer experience are strongly advised to follow basic courses in their home countries.

Notebook requirements

From September 2011, participants that start an ITC course of nine months or longer (MSc, Master and Diploma courses), are required to have a notebook computer that meets ITC’s requirements.

To make the purchase of notebook computers easier and more affordable, ITC introduces the ITC Notebook Programme through which students can purchase discounted notebooks that meet ITC's standards and have the peripherals needed to connect to the ITC networks.

When studying at ITC your notebook has to meet a minimum set of requirements. This is to ensure that you will be able to run most of the programs and the “software manager” (a program developed by the IT department that enables you to download, install programs, license software, make connections to network drive and enable you to print.)

The minimum requirements for a privately bought notebook are:

Please make sure the operating system is the same or higher and in English or else we cannot provide you the adequate service when experiencing problems with your notebook. It is also important that the operating system is genuine.