Geoinformatics and Spatial Data Science (MSc) University of Münster

Discover the future of geographic information processing and spatial data analysis with our Master of Science programme at the Institute for Geoinformatics (ifgi) at the University of Münster. Designed for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Geoinformatics or a related field, the MSc in Geoinformatics and Spatial Data Science will equip you to master advanced techniques in machine learning for spatio-temporal data, remote sensing, spatial computing, human computer interaction, and more. You’ll expand and deepen your existing skills while learning innovative scientific methods and practical research approaches. As a Master’s student at ifgi, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in ongoing interdisciplinary projects and work with new and emerging technologies - giving you the chance to shape your own research interests, including through your Master’s thesis. Courses are taught in English within an international, vibrant, and supportive environment. By joining our programme, you’ll prepare for a range of exciting careers in industry or academia, gaining the expertise needed to become a leader in a fast-growing research and application field at the intersection of computer science and geosciences.

The duration of the Master's programme is four semesters (120 ECTS credit points). Admission is possible for summer semester and winter semester.

In your first and second semesters you will pursue a mix of courses and projects in the following areas:

• Spatial Data Science, Spatio-temporal Analysis in R and Python
• Machine Learning and Computer Vision
• Navigation, Wayfinding, Location-based Services
• Spatial Computing in 3D, Digital Twins
• Interdisciplinary Aspects in Spatial Cognition, Ethics in GI
• Fundamentals of Geoinformatics, Remote Sensing and UAVs, Geospatial Technologies

In your third semester, you will complete an internship in industry, government or research, gaining valuable hands-on experience and professional insight. Alternatively, you can conduct an exchange semester at a university abroad, involving an individualised study programme and/or project work with a local research group. Here you will sharpen your professional profile and soft‑skill set including independent, self‑organised work, multicultural awareness, communication and networking, career planning, and scientific (thesis) research.

The programme concludes with a one-semester Master’s thesis, giving you the opportunity to deepen your expertise and specialise in an area of your choice.

Total: 120 credit points (8 out of the 10 modules)

Optional internship in industry, government, or research

BSc in Geoinformatics or equivalent (a degree with substantial coursework in computer science or data science, as well as geosciences)

We do not charge tuition fees. However, students must 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.

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.