This 1-year Postgraduate diploma programme (60 credits) 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.

Specializations

Our Postgraduate Diploma course is offered with specializations in Geoinformatics, Geo-Information Management for Land Administration, Natural Resources Management, Urban Planning and Management, and Water Resources and Environmental Management.

What will you learn?

Important elements of the programme include developing a critical understanding of appropriate tools; exposure to new methods and techniques; gaining competence in developing tools for the acquisition, processing, transformation, analysis, modelling, storage and presentation of spatial data; and using geo-information in identifying and responding to development problems and in drafting development policies.

A programme based on the first year of the Master’s programme

The 1-year Postgraduate diploma programme is divided into four quarters of ten weeks each. The study load per quarter is 15 credits (ECTS), equalling 420 hours of study; the total study load for the programme adds up to 60 credits.

The programme structure equals the Master’s programme structure quartiles 1-3. In quartile 4 the Elective course is replaced by a Final assignment.

The Postgraduate diploma programme will have the same end qualifications as the first year of the Master’s programme. Successful completion of the Postgraduate diploma programme (quartile 1-4) serves as a basis for entering the second year of the Master’s programme.

Specializations

As a Postgraduate diploma student of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation at ITC you will focus on a specific field of interest, with multiple specializations to choose from. Each specialization contains a number of core courses that reflect its central concerns, and a Final Assignment project that reflects the specialization’s inherent nature.

Geoinformatics

Geo-spatial data is the major driver of today’s information society. More Big Geo Data than ever is being created by smart phones, satellites, and sensors. This data is used for an increasing number of scientific purposes that aim to benefit the world. It’s a matter of gathering, analyzing, distributing and visualizing the data to make it fit for specific use, e.g. in systems for improving agricultural practice or creating healthy cities. The technologies supporting these processes are at the core of geoinformatics.

View the online studyguide

Geo-Information Management for Land Administration

Land is at the basis of all societies. A healthy land administration means secure land tenure, and efficient land markets and land development. In the process it contributes to developing and supporting local economies as well as reducing poverty and helping to avoid related disputes. Unfortunately, less than a quarter of the world’s countries maintain a complete land administration system. Would you like to be a change agent helping countries achieve and sustain societal stability and prosperity? Then ITC’s specialization in Geo-Information for Land Administration is your perfect choice.

View the online studyguide

Natural Resources Management

By 2040, the world’s population will reach 9 billion, and we will share the world with an additional 1.4 billion people. This increase is more than the entire population of Africa. At the same time, living standards are improving, leading to a massive increase in demand for food, timber, water and other resources, which are already affected by climate change and a fragmenting environment. Without proper management, serious problems such as deforestation, overgrazing and biodiversity loss are inevitable. Would you like to help turn this situation around, as an environmental manager? Then ITC’s specialisation in Natural Resources Management is the way to go.

View the only studyguide

Urban Planning and Management

How to make − and keep − the world’s modern cities healthy and attractive for the increasing multitudes living and working there? How to ensure that cities are sufficiently compact, sustainable, inclusive, competitive, and resilient? Realising these objectives requires a keen understanding of dynamic urban processes. In gaining such understanding geo-information science and technology constitute an indispensable source of information. Which is the very foundation for ITC’s specialization in Urban Planning and Management.

View the online studyguide

Water Resources and Environmental Management

Many of the world’s major environmental concerns have to do with water. Potable water is getting increasingly scarce, which makes it a valuable resource to be managed wisely. Extreme weather causes excessive flooding which can often be prevented with proper by interventions. Pollution of valuable water resources and the status of precious wetlands deserve close monitoring. Would you like to contribute to tackling these issues caused by having too little, too much, or dirty water? Then ITC’s specialization in Water Resources and Environmental Management is what you’re looking for.

View the online studyguide

Free specialization

Do you have an area of expertise and/or career path in mind that is not quite covered by the specializations as outlined by ITC? Not to worry, as you can also define your very own free specialization by making a personal selection from the courses on offer in the different specializations. An ITC team of mentor and research theme coordinator will be glad to help you compose an alternative integral programme of courses.

Admission requirements

ACADEMIC LEVEL AND BACKGROUND:

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma Course Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (PGD) should have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university in a discipline related to the course*, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.

The following average scores apply for the Postgraduate Diploma course:

A 3.0 or higher Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on a 4.0 scale, or
Upper Second Class standing or higher

_{NOTE: a Lower Second Class standing may be accepted based on evidence of relevant professional experience and/or other further academic development.}

DOCUMENTATION

The faculty accepts transcripts, degrees, and diplomas in the following languages: Dutch, English, German, French, and Spanish. It is at the discretion of the faculty to require additional English translations of all documents in other languages as well.

English language (minimum) requirements:

British Council / IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for speaking and writing)
TOEFL Paper-based Test (PBT) 550
TOEFL: internet-based 80 (with a minimum sub-score of 20 for speaking)
Cambridge C2 Proficiency / C1 Advanced

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.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Participants are expected to be familiar with the basic computer skills. Basic knowledge of and skills in working with GIS and/or remotely sensed data is strongly recommended.

Notebook requirements

When you study in an ITC programme with a duration of nine months or longer (MSc, Master and Diploma programmes), you should have a notebook computer that meets ITC's notebook requirements.

If you do not own a notebook that meets the minimum requirements you could consider buying one through our Notebook Project. The Notebook Project offers discounted notebooks that meet our standards and have the peripherals needed to connect to the ITC networks.

About your diploma

Upon successful completion of this programme you will receive an (Academic Education) Postgraduate Diploma in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, with the name of the specialization from the University of Twente.

Along with your Diploma you will receive a Course Record providing all the subjects studied as part of the course. It states: the course code, number, subject, ECTS credits, exam date, location and the mark awarded.

Key information

Diploma
Geo-information Science and Earth Observation
Certification
certificate
Duration
1 year
Registration deadline
1 June 2020
Starting date
23 August 2020
End date
23 July 2021
Location
Enschede, Netherlands
Accreditation
NVAO
ECTS
60
Tuition fees
2020 / 2021
full-time, institutional
€ 15.200
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Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation