Overview
This international Master's programme trains students to work at the intersection of geosciences and informatics, focusing on geospatial technologies and geographic information. It is designed for holders of Bachelor’s degrees from disciplines that use geographic information—examples include environmental sciences, geosciences, ecology, regional planning and computer science. The course is taught in English and emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, bridging theoretical knowledge and practical, computation-based problem solving.
What you will learn
Graduates learn to design, apply and further develop computer-supported methods for analyzing and solving spatially related problems at global, regional and local scales. The curriculum provides concentrated knowledge in geospatial technologies and geographic information as well as core informatics and mathematical foundations, preparing you for technically oriented roles that require both domain and computational expertise. For student perspectives, see the programme’s testimonials: https://mastergeotech.uji.es/about-us/testimonials/.
Admission requirements (summary)
This MSc runs over three semesters totalling 90 ECTS: two taught semesters (30 ECTS each) followed by a 30‑ECTS Master's thesis. The intake is limited to 32 students. In the first semester half of the cohort studies at Universitat Jaume I (UJI) and half at Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL); the two partner universities provide complementary course emphases so students with different prior backgrounds are accommodated. In the second semester all students converge at the University of Münster (WWU) for an integrated research‑oriented teaching block. The final semester is devoted to the Master's thesis, which can be carried out at any of the three partner institutions.
Course content is organised to build both technical and applied geospatial skills. UJI’s modules emphasise computing and systems aspects of geographic information (for example computer graphics and web services) and include informatics, mathematics and new technologies. UNL focuses more on processing and modelling (for example remote sensing and geospatial data mining) and provides mathematics, statistics and data‑modelling streams. UNL also offers alternative course paths so students from social‑science backgrounds (e.g., human geography) can select descriptive statistics and data analysis, while students with stronger informatics backgrounds can choose mathematical statistics and data mining.
The WWU semester consolidates GI science fundamentals, presents advanced topics and current research (preparing you for thesis work), and develops core professional competencies such as research methods and project management for GI projects. Optional courses in the advanced module can be substituted by attending an annual summer school (hosted at WWU, UJI or UNL) or by joining ongoing research projects in one of the partners’ groups. The Master’s thesis is typically embedded in a live research project, must demonstrate independent handling of a defined scientific problem within a set timeframe and be of publishable quality; students are distributed evenly across the three partners for thesis supervision. Successful graduates receive a joint degree awarded by the University of Münster, Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Universitat Jaume I.
Requirements and key facts (concise)
You must hold a completed bachelor's degree in an application area of geoinformatics.
This means your undergraduate qualification should be in a subject that focuses on spatial information, spatial analysis, and technologies for capturing, managing or visualizing geographic data. Typical backgrounds that fit this description include programs centered on geographic information systems, remote sensing, geomatics or surveying, and related fields that apply geospatial methods and tools.
If your degree title differs but your coursework covered substantial geoinformatics content (for example, spatial databases, GIS programming, remote sensing, cartography or positioning systems), include detailed transcripts and course descriptions with your application so the admissions office can assess fit.
Requirements (concise)
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 July 2026
Graduates are prepared for technical and research-oriented roles that require combining geosciences and informatics, such as GIS developer, remote sensing analyst, spatial data scientist, geospatial software engineer, and positions in environmental consulting, regional planning, utilities, and governmental mapping agencies. The programme's emphasis on computational methods, data modelling, remote sensing and geospatial data mining equips students for roles in private industry (software companies, consultancies), public sector organisations, and NGOs tackling spatial problems.
The international joint-degree structure and mandatory mobility increase graduates' international employability and networking. Many students also proceed to research careers or PhD programmes, as the Master's thesis is typically integrated into active research projects across the partner universities, providing a solid foundation for academic or applied research positions in geospatial science and related fields.