Study options

Geoinformatics, Master of Science (Technology)

The Master’s programme in Geoinformatics turns students' talent and hard work into excellence. After graduating, you will be able to work effectively in many roles in the society, applying and utilizing current knowledge of geoinformatics, and to contribute to the further development of the field.
students look at the map

Degree:

Master of Science (Technology)

Application period:

30 Nov 2023 – 2 Jan 2024

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Technology and Engineering

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Engineering

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

The Master’s programme in Geoinformatics turns students' talent and hard work into excellence. After graduating, you will be able to work effectively in many roles in the society, applying and utilizing current knowledge of geoinformatics, and to contribute to the further development of the field.

Geoinformatics engineers are present when crucial decisions in our society are prepared. Analysis and visualizations of accurate geographic information reveal essential information for decision-making. This degree is an excellent choice if you want to tackle big societal challenges such as climate change, security and urban development, or if you dream of creating advanced mobile applications.

Geoinformatics is an integral part of our everyday lives. Your mobile device continuously knows your whereabouts. Check the weather or navigate your car, and location is again the key word. Shoot aerial video with your drone or jump into virtual or augmented reality – once again, you encounter geoinformatics.

Geoinformatics engineers are the ones who measure and analyse geospatial big data. They know how to visualise complex geospatial problems or phenomena and turn them into beautiful maps, infographics and applications. They understand the spatial dimensions of Earth as well as her full complexity as a living, moving and changing planet. Geoinformatics is an interdisciplinary, cutting-edge engineering science, co-operating with many other fields of study.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction in the Master’s programme in Geoinformatics is English. However, the Master’s thesis can also be written in Finnish or Swedish.

More information and Aalto University guidelines on the languages of degree and instruction can be found on the Aalto University website.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

You are welcome to apply to our Master’s programme if you have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and skills in mathematics, programming, and an interest in applying computer sciences to geoinformatics. All courses are given in English.

The Master of Science (Technology) degree is 120 ECTS credits.

The structure of studies is following:

  • 60 credits in major 
    • 30 credits of common studies
    • 30 credits of advanced courses (elective)
    • a list of the courses can be found behind this link
  • 30 credits of elective courses 
    • can establish a minor
  • 30 credits for Master’s Thesis

The master’s thesis (30 cr) is a piece of applied research or theoretical research. The key goal of the master’s thesis is solving a problem relevant to the field of study based on existing scientific knowledge in compliance with the principles of responsible conduct of research. Making the master’s thesis allows you to utilize what you have learned during your studies, and to prove your ability to make research. The end-result is a scientific thesis.

Recently, master’s theses in geoinformatics have been about crop identification with Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, using building information and agent-based modelling to simulate people flow in buildings, three-dimensional city modelling methods, and the quality control of railway geometry surveys – just to name few.

Master's Programme in Geoinformatics

Webinar | Geoinformatics

Our programme representatives introduce the programme and answer participants' questions regarding studies, career opportunities and more. Watch the webinar to get answers to some of your questions!

Watch the recording!
Picture: Unto Rautio

Specialisations

Within the Master’s programme in Geoinformatics you can focus on studies in one or more fields, such as geodesy (navigation and positioning), photogrammetry, laser scanning, remote sensing, or geoinformation technologies. More detailed information on these fields can be found from the programme flyer:

https://foto.aalto.fi/geoinformatics_Aalto.pdf

Internationalisation

eaching in English brings international students and exchange students to our Master’s programme. Good exchange student services and many inter-institutional student mobility agreements between Aalto University and partner universities abroad make it easy for Finnish students to experience student exchange. Participation in exchange student programmes is highly recommended.

Further study opportunities

The Master’s programme in Geoinformatics establishes a solid foundation for continued studies and for conducting research. Good grades from the Master’s programme enable you to pursue doctoral studies.

Get to know us

Portrait of Bai-Bai Bairoh

A summer job as a spatial data trainee made Bai-Bai Bairoh to choose Geoinformatics as his study path

While working as a research assistant during his studies, Bai-Bai has been learning how to bridge the gap in understanding between experts of spatial data and those who know almost nothing about it.

News
Gabriel Cramer sitting on the ground.

Geoinformatics student Gabriel Cramer enjoys everything to do with spatial analytics

Gabriel came to the Geoinformatics Master’s programme with an unusual background, but managed to catch up and learn the essential technical and theoretical skills. Now besides his studies, he is working with primary data collection for research purposes.

School of Engineering
View from the plane used in remote sensing.

Geoinformatics

Geoinformatics at Aalto University is a truly multidisciplinary field. Our research and its applications cover a wide range of themes from human-centred to natural environments.

Department of Built Environment

Career opportunities

This curriculum will prepare you for key positions in academia and industry. You may find yourself working for private, public or non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Some of our alumni create decision-making tools. They monitor the global environment and help find solutions to problems such as energy crises or the uneven distribution of natural resources.

Many of our former students are involved in the business world. They may, for instance, manage logistics chains or pinpoint the best location for a new shop. Others develop software for autonomous cars. There are many areas where their expertise is needed, such as service design, robotics and industrial control, communication technology, mobile application development, gamification, 3D modelling and point clouds, just to name a few.

Research focus

Research of geoinformatics focuses on solving data-intensive, large scale, location-based problems by leveraging techniques in geospatial data acquisition, data management, data analysis and data visualization. Our methods enable making maps, 3D models, coordinate reference systems, or decision support systems powered with geospatial data. The results are essential to deeply understand how cities or natural environments function or change as well as in sustainable decision making.

Co-operation with other parties

Approximately 80 % of all the data in the world contains information about location. Thus, Master's programme in geoinformatics has strong connections to all sectors in society including industry, cities, municipalities and research institutes. This allows us to adjust the content of courses to meet current needs of the stakeholders. A specific example of collaboration is our Project Course, in which the topics of group work are provided from our stakeholders.

Applying to master’s programmes

Chat with Aalto students

Are you wondering what it is like to study at Aalto? Come chat with our students about all things Aalto on Unibuddy chat platform.

Chat with our students!
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Admission requirements 2024

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.
The applications to Master’s Programme in Geoinformatics (GIS) are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Academic performance
What is evaluated: Grades of the previous degree/CGPA
Admission requirements: Grades need to be mainly very good or excellent
Evaluated documents: Transcript of records

Relevance of previous studies
What is evaluated: Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
What we look for in an applicant: Content suit very well or excellent to the study option
Evaluated documents: Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)

Recognition and quality of institution
What is evaluated: Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution
Admission requirements: Recognized for high quality of education and research
Method of demonstrating competence: International and national rankings of higher education institutions

Suitability
What is evaluated: Applicant’s further applicability to the study option, motivation and commitment for studies
What we look for in an applicant: Motivation should be clearly in connection with the study option. We are looking for applicants who are able to express clearly the reasons for applying to the study option and describe why they would be good candidates for the study option.
Applicants who already have a master’s degree in a closely related field will only be admitted with well-justified reasons which should be explained in the motivation letter.
Lack of a motivation letter will adversely affect the evaluation of the application.
Please see further instructions for the motivation letter below.
Evaluated documents: Motivation letter

Other areas of competence
What is evaluated: Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions
What we look for in an applicant: Description of the study-option specific requirements/what the study option looks for from an acceptable applicant.
Evaluated documents: Curriculum vitae (work experience in a field related to the study option, publications or posters, competitions in a field related to the study option, non-formal education)
- max 2 pages
- should be written in English
 

Study-option-specific documents requested:

In addition, applicants to this study-option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:

  • Motivation letter (the lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application)
  • CV (the lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application)
  • letter of references, proof of employment, publications (optional)

You are welcome to apply to our Master’s programme if you have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and skills in mathematics, programming, and an interest in applying computer sciences to geoinformatics.
In addition to the studies giving basis to apply to the programme, other possible studies are also evaluated. However, the study option should provide genuinely new knowledge and enhance the career prospects of the applicant. Thus, applicants who already have a master’s degree in a closely related field will only be admitted with well-justified reasons which should be explained in the motivation letter.

Contact information

Maaria Nordman

Professor, Programme director

[email protected]

Päivi Kauppinen

Planning officer

[email protected]

Admission Services of Aalto University

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services.

[email protected]

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