Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies University of Münster

Spatial and temporal aspects are at the heart of many pressing societal problems (e.g. achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals), and there is a lack of experts capable of dealing with them properly. The overall aim of the International Master's Programme in Geospatial Technologies is thus to prepare students to exploit new geospatial technologies to support environmental and societal decision-making affecting the future of our planet.

The University of Münster (UM), Germany, the Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Spain, and the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Portugal, are complementary institutions with expertise in key research areas and teaching in the field of geospatial technologies. Consequently, the programme can cover interdisciplinary and current topic areas such as informatics, data analytics, remote sensing, spatial statistics and Geographic Information (GI) Science while also providing students with the opportunity to apply these to relevant problems in practical (team) projects.

The partners have been cooperating in several international projects for more than 15 years, including in a previous EMJM as well as in a European PhD programme (International Training Network) on Smart Open Cities. This expertise in running international training programmes, the composition of the consortium, and the tightly integrated structure of the degree programme, ensure that the course content is up-to-date, teaching is delivered to a high standard and essential transferable skills are acquired by the students.

The standard period of study is three semesters, including all examination requirements and the Master's thesis. The International Master's programme requires 90 ECTS credit points. Based on the successful Master's examination, the three universities will award the joint degree “Master of Science” (MSc) with the designation “in Geospatial Technologies”.

For detailed information, please check our website.

The Master’s programme will be conducted with up to 32 students. Half of them attend their first semester at UJI, half at UNL. Intentionally, UJI and UNL offer courses with a different focus, in order to address the different backgrounds and requirements of the incoming students. Both partners offer basic modules in GI, although with different levels of intensity.

The programme at UJI stresses the computing aspects of GI such as computer graphics and web services, whereas the programme at UNL is more oriented towards the processing and modelling aspects of geographic information, including topics such as “Remote sensing” and “Geospatial data mining”. As for the other modules, UJI is more informatics-oriented (modules “Informatics and mathematics” and “New technologies”).

UNL provides modules in “Mathematics and statistics” and “Data modelling”. UNL offers different paths within its modules by means of alternative courses, e.g. a student with a background in social sciences such as geography and some previous know-how in informatics would rather choose “Descriptive statistics” and “Data analysis", whereas a more informatics-related student would choose “Mathematical statistics” and “Data mining”.

For the second semester, all students attend the courses at UM. The first module covers “Fundamentals in GI Science”. The second module “Advanced topics in GI Science” covers knowledge on ongoing research and research projects, thus preparing the students for their own research in the Master's thesis. Optionally, courses of this module can be replaced by an annual summer school organised by UM, UJI, or UNL, or by work in ongoing research projects of one of the partners’ research groups. The third module mediates additional “Core competences” the students will need for their Master's thesis as well as for their future professional careers: “Research methods in GI Science” and “Project management in GI projects”.

As for the third semester (Master's thesis), students can choose one of the three universities, whereas the applicants will be distributed equally to the three partners. If a student did not attend courses of one of the three partner universities before, one of the supervisors or co-supervisors has to be from that university. With the Master's thesis, the candidate shows that she/he is capable to independently handle a defined scientific problem within a defined schedule, and in a way that it is ready to be published. Typically, the Master's thesis will be integrated into an ongoing research project at one of the partners.

Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), Lisbon, Portugal
Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Castelló de la Plana, Spain

For scholarships, application goes until February. 
For self-funded students, application goes until August. 

For a detailed description, please check official information on our website.

A requirement for admission is to have completed at the time of application an adequate Bachelor's degree of six semesters full time (= 180 ECTS credit points) or more, as recognised by the partner universities in Germany, Portugal, or Spain, for admission to graduate studies.

Areas of geographic information, e.g. geography, ecology, urban, regional and environmental planning, logistics/transportation, energy provision, surveying, agriculture, forestry, and related
We also particularly welcome students with a degree in computer science. Within previous studies or professional experience, we expect that applicants have already acquired basic IT/GI skills.

An official English language test is required.

Students pay a semester contribution fee of approx. 355 EUR per semester. This includes various services for students as well as a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in Münster and all of Germany.

You can find more information here.

We recommend that students budget at least 1,000 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, living, health insurance).

You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/international/en/studierende/general-information/cost-and-funding.html.

The Master's programme is currently funded under the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission. The current funding period runs until 2027, during which scholarships are available for both partner country and programme country students. The programme is actively seeking further funding opportunities to ensure the continued availability of scholarships beyond this period. Updated information on the number of scholarships will be communicated as soon as it becomes available.

As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and not easy to find in Münster – but it's not impossible either! Like most German universities, we do not have our own student halls of residence. However, the "Studierendenwerk", a governmental organisation, offers student halls in Münster. You can find additional information on housing options here and here (only in German).

When contacting about private offers, be careful! Please make sure that you never transfer money before you sign the rental contract. Ideally, you should be able to talk personally to the potential landlord, even if you are still abroad (via phone, video call, etc.) If you are not sure whether an offer is real or possibly a fraud, please feel free to contact the team of our International Office and send us the offer.

The University of Münster: Combining tradition & innovation

With some 41,000 students and 5,100 academics, the University of Münster is one of the biggest and oldest universities in Germany and one of the foremost centres of German intellectual life. Fifteen faculties with more than 120 subjects, over 280 degree programmes and some 30 research centres comprise the institutional backbone of the university. Officially founded in 1780, our roots go back to a convent for the education of women founded in 1040, and the establishment of a Jesuit college in 1588.

Today, besides a broad range of academic opportunities – from Bachelor's programmes to in-service continuing education courses, the University of Münster offers a huge and varied number of extracurricular activities and support for its students: Learn a new language at our Language Centre, take part in one of over 150 different sports at our University Sports, sing in a choir or join an orchestra, take part in a university group, act in a play – or sit back and enjoy the performances of other students: with our wide variety of cultural, international, political and religious student societies, initiatives, and sports groups, the University of Münster offers you countless opportunities to spend your free time and make new friends.

We value a close relationship between research and teaching as well as extensive advice and counselling services.

About the city

In Germany, Münster is known as one of THE student cities. Since its official founding in 1780, the University of Münster has grown continuously. Our departments, central institutions and libraries are spread all over the city - well, the city of Münster somehow is our campus! Münster is a beautiful, green, safe and lively city of about 320,000 inhabitants in the north-western part of Germany, and the northern part of its federal state, North-Rhine Westphalia. Münster has a vibrant cultural and nightlife scene - partly due to its over 60,000 students at one of the eight institutions of higher education. Many cafés, bars and cultural institutions in the city offer a wide range of discounts for students. Münster also hosts one of the most important art exhibitions worldwide the sculpture project – every 10 years. What else? Well, Münster has won numerous awards for its high quality of life – and a bicycle is the best way to zoom around!

International Campus

For international and German students, the University of Münster has various offerings for networking, intercultural understanding and encounters, a buddy programme matching international and German students, cultural events, support, and much more.

The International Office is your first point of contact. The team at the International Office advises international incoming students as well as local students, academics and staff who are planning a visit abroad. We answer questions from international prospective students and applicants relating to preparatory programmes, choosing a major, admission requirements, application procedures, visa and residence issues, financial matters and life in Germany / Münster.

If you are an international student, our Language Centre offers study preparatory German language courses. For enrolled students, our Language Centre also offers study-accompanying German language courses as well as courses for almost 20 other languages free of charge.

Münster lies in the heart of the Münsterland region in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and close to the border with the Netherlands. The city of Münster with its 320,000 inhabitants (of which around 62,000 are students) is a vibrant hub with a central location and excellent connectivity. Due to its position, Münster is an ideal starting point for excursions to other major cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, or Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The city is well connected by train, bus, and via Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO). Within Münster itself, the bicycle is the primary mode of transport: Münster is known as Germany's bicycle capital and boasts an extensive network of well-developed cycle paths.

The Münsterland is lined with numerous historical castles, offering glimpses into past times and inviting visitors to exciting excursions. A particular highlight is the Teutoburger Wald, which lies not far from Münster. This forested ridge offers beautiful hiking trails, ideal conditions for walking, and even opportunities for climbing.