INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN GIS / SPATIAL DATA SCIENCE AND BECOMING A GEOSPATIAL PROFESSIONAL?
Geo-information and spatial data science are diverse fields that can lead to many different career paths. At ITC you will learn the necessary skills to excel in the public or private sector. We will provide you with the advanced knowledge and critical skills needed to lead in the field. You can contribute to creating a liveable and sustainable healthy planet and solve some of the world's most pressing challenges - such as climate change, food and water security, land scarcity, and natural disasters - by mastering the acquisition, analysis, and processing of geo-information and earth observation data.
We cannot design a sustainable future without using geospatial information. We already live in a geoAI-enabled digital society where geographic information and earth observation data are vital and ubiquitous. Consequently, we need to be able to use and manage the vast quantities of geospatial data that are available for real-time decision-making, monitoring the environment, assessing our earth’s resources, tracking species occurrences, quantifying ecosystem services, mapping health risks, analysing land-use patterns and predicting the changing climate. Our planet is changing and we need to know where it is changing to understand how it is changing to design or engineer solutions for the changes that affect the sustainability of our society and living environment. This is the ‘science of where’: where are changes taking place, where are stakeholders affected, and where are solutions most effective?
What will you learn
This international Master’s programme is open to a diverse audience of all backgrounds. What all participants have in common is an interest in tackling global challenges with geospatial technologies. The programme equips you with the geospatial skills needed to address the global challenges of today, finding solutions through local actions. You will gain the theoretical knowledge, develop the technical skills, and data competencies to leverage geospatial technologies and data such as remote sensing, to address complex problems and engineer, design or develop innovative and sustainable solutions.
During the programme, which is offered fully in English, you will develop various technical and professional skills. There is a global demand for experts in geographic information science, and earth observation with skills in GIS, remote sensing, and data science, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. During your study you will enhance your technical and investigative capabilities while also taking into account the social and cultural context in which you will be applying these skills. This will enable you to translate technical knowledge into actionable policies and vice versa in a global world. You’ll have opportunities to connect with industry professionals through an extensive alumni network, guest lectures, internships, and career fairs.
Apply for our master's in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation
The Master’s in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation starts in September.
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Courses
We offer a variety of courses that contribute to the well-being of the planet with an emphasis on achieving many sustainable development goals while at the same time developing the necessary geospatial skills needed across different industries.
Study guide
The Study Guide contains detailed information on the programme structure, give an overview of all programme courses and detailed course descriptions.
Define your future
Our Master's programme will provide you with the necessary set of foundation courses from which you can build your personal programme, based on a learning pathway under one of our thematic lines or specialisations:
- Disaster Resilience
- Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI)
- Resource Security
- Urban and Land Future
For students who do not want to be restricted to a single theme but develop the necessary skills while tailoring their learning to achieve their career goals, we offer the Spatial Data Science thematic line. You can only develop your thematic line with the help your study adviser
This learning path will bring you to a research topic which you will develop into an individual high-quality MSc research and thesis to define yourself in the field of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation.
Career perspectives
During the Master’s Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, you will interact and learn from expert scientists in the field and have access to our state-of-the-art labs and centres. 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 60% of graduates find a job within six months after graduation (90% within one year).
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 public 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!
Facilities and laboratories
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 facilities and resources such as the Design and interactive space for co-creating, Drone lab, Field labs, Field sites, Geochemical labs, the Geospatial Computing Platform, Open-source software and tools, Remote Sensing and GIS lab, Satellite & sensor database, Spatial Data Visualization & Usability Analysis lab, and the Spectroscopy laboratory. 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!
More about us
- Video introducing ITC, rankings and the ITC community
With over 70 years of geospatial experience, we continue to stay at the forefront of this changing field, educating professionals worldwide. We bring together students with different life experiences and cultural diversity to provide a dynamic multi-cultural learning environment that stimulates out-of-the-box thinking for tackling complex “wicked” problems by developing creative solutions.
Top ranked
ITC is a top-ranking research institute in Earth Observation, allowing the programme to build on the input of high-class research with over 70 years of experience in geospatial information and technology.
The ITC community
We provide an inclusive academic and social environment where students can achieve their full potential. We nurture an international community of graduates, students and teachers who remain in life-long contact through an active global alumni network of over 20,000 geo-professionals. This global network allows us to generate and exchange knowledge that inspires global developments. It empowers students with the knowledge and skills to address challenges that are central to (inter)national communities.
- Watch our GeoHero's on YouTube!
- How do we do in rankings?