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.
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.
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.
Language skills
Success in your studies requires a high level of English proficiency. Therefore, prospective students with an international (other than Dutch) degree must meet the English language requirement. As proof that you meet this requirement, you will be asked in the application procedure to upload one of the requested language certificates:
- IELTS (academic) with an overall band score of at least 6.0 (with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for speaking and writing) and certificates not older than two years.
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based) with an overall score of 80 (with a minimum sub-score of 20 for speaking) and certificates not older than two years. Please note that the University of Twente does not accept the MyBest scores of the TOEFL test.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Formerly known as; Cambridge English Advanced (CAE), obtained with an A, B or C grade.
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency Formerly known as; Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) obtained with an A, B or C grade.
Only these internationally recognised test results are accepted. Without a valid certificate, we cannot process your application.
Other requirements
- Ensure you have obtained a valid English test result before the application deadline. If your application is accompanied by a language test score report with a test date after our application deadline, we will not process it. Therefore, make sure to do the test in advance, as it will take time for you to get the official certificate.
- When applying for a scholarship, the language requirements may be different because scholarship providers may have different requirements.
- If you have studied in a former British or American colony, you must take one of the internationally recognised English language tests.
Exemptions
You are exempted from the English language requirement if you hold:
- a relevant bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution in the Netherlands
- if you are a national of one of the countries in this list (PDF)
- a three-year bachelor's degree in Australia, Canada (English-speaking part), Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA. When your awarding institution is in one of these countries, but your teaching institution was not, you are not exempted. The same rule applies to distance (online) education.
Computer skills
You are expected to be familiar with basic computer skills. Basic knowledge of and skills in working with GIS and spatial data is strongly recommended.
Notebook requirements
When you study in an ITC programme with a duration of nine months or longer (Master’s and Postgraduate diploma programmes), you should have a notebook computer that meets ITC's technical 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.
Technical requirements online education and assessment
For online education, we formulated guidelines to guarantee optimal performance. For online oral exams and proctoring during online assessments, the webcam and headset requirements need to be met.
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.