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Rikkert Harink
Rikkert Harink

Master Geo-information Science and Earth Observation

Become a high-skilled geospatial professional

CONTRIBUTE TO SOME OF MANKINDS GREATEST CHALLENGES, SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGEFOOD AND WATER SECURITY, LAND SCARCITY, AND NATURAL DISASTERS, BY ACQUIRING, ANALYSING, AND PROCESSING GEO-INFORMATION DATA.

Geo-information systems are powerful tools to monitor natural resources, species occurrences, ecosystem conditions, watershed boundaries, and land-use patterns, among other things. How can you predict when and where natural disasters, such as floods, will occur? In what ways can you improve agricultural practices to protect crops from extreme weather conditions? What about estimating water safety by detecting why, where, when, and how water-born diseases occur? Or designing responsible land maps that ensure the well-being of vulnerable groups living in rural areas? If you are eager to tackle these and similar global challenges by exploring, analysing, and visualising geospatial and remote sensing data, the Master’s in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation might be just right for you!

In this two-yearEnglish-taught Master’s, you will learn to address the growing range of global challenges - from climate change to resources depletion and pandemic diseases - that our society and vulnerable populations across the world are facing by using geo-information systems. You will acquire the theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and big data analytics competences to find the data you need, analyse the problem at hand, visualise the data, and design an innovative and sustainable solution. With your expertise, you will contribute to improvements in the domains of food and water security, natural resources management, geo-health, climate change adaptation, urban development and smart cities, disaster risk reduction, and responsible land administration.

The Master’s in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation is offered by the ITC Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, part of the University of Twente. With over 70 years of experience, ITC is internationally renowned for its academic educationscientific research and technology development in earth observation and geo-information.

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Choose a specialisation

You have a lot of freedom to tailor your Master’s in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (GEO) to your interests and ambitions. Do you want to explore geothermal and earth resources to secure future demands for energy and minerals? Or are you interested in predicting and monitoring natural hazards? Perhaps you want to make modern cities more sustainable and inclusive with sufficient environmentally-friendly housing? In this Master's you will build a unique expertise in a specific domain by choosing one of the seven specialisations.

Your choice determines which courses you will follow and the type of research you will focus on in your master’s thesis. You can choose from seven different specialisations:

You can also set up your own free specialisation by selecting courses from the seven specialisations. The programme staff will help you compose your free specialisation that suits your interests and background.

State-of-the-art research facilities

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) is internationally recognised for its research and capacity development in the field of geo-information science and Earth observation. As a student here, you will have access to first-class lab facilities and resources such as the GeoScience Laboratory, the Design and Interactive Space for Co-Creating, the ITC Satellite and Sensor Database, the Visualisation and Usability Lab, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Centre. Also, you can work with leading scientists and other experts from the geo-information science and Earth observation domain. It is a great environment where you will expand your network and gain invaluable hands-on experience for your future career!

Career perspectives

All over the world, in any industry, there is a growing need for experts in geographic information systems (GIS), spatial data science, and remote sensing. As a GIS specialist with in-depth knowledge and skills related to geospatial technologies, you will be a key player in developing and advancing data-driven sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing global issues, such as climate change and energy transition. You could work for a wide range of international non-governmental or corporate organisations, governments, consultancy agencies, research institutes, public service corporations, telecommunications companies, water authorities, and national mapping agencies, to name but a few. This is why most of our graduates find a job soon after graduation.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEO-INFORMATION SPECIALISTS 

Experts in geo-information systems who can acquire, analyse, and visualise geo-information to develop innovative solutions are in high demand both in the private and pubic sectors. You can work as a policy advisor, geo-information consultant, GIS analyst, geospatial data scientist, environmental management consultant, remote sensing specialist, data engineer, and more. You can also opt for a career in academia and do a PhD at any university worldwide. Or you can start your own company!

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Related programmes

The Master's Spatial Engineering is closely related to Geo-information Science and Earth Observation.

Key information

Top rated programme
Degree
MSc
CROHO code
75014
Faculty
Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation
Diploma
Geo-information Science and Earth Observation
Duration
2 years
Language
100% English-taught
Application deadline
EU/EEA
1 July 2023
non EU/EEA
1 June 2023
Dutch
15 August 2023
Starting date
1 September 2023
End date
25 July 2025
ECTS
120
Tuition fees
Full period 2023 / 2024
full-time, non-EU/EEA
€ 16.750
full-time, EU/EEA
€ 16.750
Additional costs
Cost of living, year
€ 11.500
Insurance, full programme
€ 1.260
Visa, full programme
€ 210