What is it all about?

In the Geodesy and Geoinformatics degree program, you will deal with the measurement of the world - more precisely, with modern methods and instruments for collecting, but also the quality of spatial data and its mapping. GPS, augmented reality, machine vision, artificial intelligence and much more - in a balanced theory-practice ratio, the bachelor's degree program provides you with the tools you need to start a career in many areas or continue with a master's degree.

Geodisciplines such as geodesy and geoinformatics are among the most important technologies of the future and are already making a fundamental contribution to political and economic decisions through the data they generate. The use of geoinformation is essential for the sustainable use of the earth's resources and the analysis of natural events such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and mass movements.

Geodesy forms the basis: it makes it possible to precisely measure the earth - from individual plots of land to entire continents. Modern satellite technology, sensors and digital maps are used for this.

Geoinformatics ensures that the huge amounts of data generated during surveying are digitally processed, linked and visualized - often in 2D or 3D and with the help of artificial intelligence. This creates digital images of the real world, which are used for urban planning, disaster control or traffic management, for example. Web-based map and information systems are also part of this.

You should have a good knowledge of mathematics and an interest in the acquisition and processing of data - i.e. computer science.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

On the Geodesy and Geoinformatics degree program, your curriculum consists of these subjects:

• Basics in Mathematics and Physics: Experimental Physics, Differential Geometry and Advanced Mathematics provide you with the necessary scientific foundations.
  
• IT and Geoinformatics: You will learn the essentials of computer science and data processing, databases and specific applications of geoinformatics.
  
• Surveying and Geodetic Sensors: You will learn the basics of surveying and carry out your own measurements. You will also learn about the most relevant sensors and their situation-specific applications.
  
• Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Image Processing: This is about the three-dimensional acquisition of coordinates from images.
  
• Geodetic Reference Systems and Space Techniques: For example, you will learn how satellite methods or a gravimeter work and carry out your own measurements.
  
• Cartography and Land Management: This includes the legal basis of official surveying, as well as the real estate industry and land policy.
  

Stays abroad

KIT offers a wide range of options for stays abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad overseas. Especially if you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to contact the International Students Office or the KIT Department of Civil Engineering, Geo and Environmental Sciences directly to find out about outgoing options at an early stage.

The German-French double degree program "Geodesy and Geoinformatics/Topography" is offered at KIT in cooperation with INSA Strasbourg. The international double degree program offers you the unique opportunity to study abroad for three semesters at a time and to obtain a French diploma in addition to the German degree (Master). The procedure is as follows: You attend the 1st to 4th semester in the bachelor's degree program "Geodesy and Geoinformatics" at KIT, then you study in the 5th to 7th semester at INSA and you spend the 8th to 11th semester again in the master's degree program "Geodesy and Geoinformatics" at KIT.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete your bachelor's thesis, an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It usually deals with a specific topic in your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and writing. The bachelor's thesis takes six months to complete.

With a degree in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, you have the best chances of finding a varied and diverse job. There is currently a great shortage of skilled workers in this field. Typical areas of work are

• public administration
  
• engineering and planning offices
  
• self-employed work as a publicly appointed surveying engineer
  
• IT services
  
• manufacture of geodetic instruments
  
• automotive industry
  
• automation technology
  
• research and teaching
  

In the public sector, the following authorities in particular employ specialists in geodesy and geoinformatics:

• land surveying
  
• municipal surveying and utility companies
  
• cadastre and land readjustment
  
• Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy
  
• road construction
  
• water and shipping administration
  

In order to obtain employment in the higher surveying administrative service, you must complete an 18-month preparatory service (= traineeship) after completing your master's degree.

Activities in the field of engineering surveying include

• planning and managing surveys in the field
  
• carrying out surveying tasks in the planning, staking out, monitoring and reconstruction of structures (traffic routes, bridges, dams, power plants, industrial plants, residential and community buildings)
  
• collaboration in environmental impact assessments
  
• surveying of properties to secure land ownership
  

The rapidly expanding IT sector also offers you job opportunities in software development and GIS. The focus here is on the collection and management of spatial geodata as well as the creation and use of geoinformation systems in the areas of administration, traffic and supply management, environmental and security tasks, energy suppliers and banks as well as for leisure and tourism.

Characteristic features of Geodesy and Geoinformatics B.Sc. at KIT

• interdisciplinary orientation, especially with links to computer science and geosciences
  
• preparatory and support courses in the MINT-Kolleg
  
• small, informal degree program - excellent study situation
  
• high practical component (exercises, project work)
  
• close contact with lecturers and academic staff
  
• teaching: participation in research and engineering projects
  
• access to the German-French double degree (INSA Strasbourg)
  
• subject-related part-time jobs at the institute or within the university
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Language requirements and certificates

For the bachelor's degree program in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language, which corresponds to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
• Studieninformationstag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Bauingenieur-, Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften
• Studiengangsseiten Geodäsie und Geoinformatik
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Geodäsie und Geoinformatik

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• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
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