What you can expect in our master's program

The master's degree program in Geodesy and Geoinformatics at KIT offers you the opportunity to design your studies flexibly and individually - with a clear focus on research-oriented teaching and practice-oriented work. The standard period of study is 4 semesters and you will earn 120 ECTS credits.

In the master's degree program in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, the scientific skills acquired in the bachelor's degree program are deepened and individually supplemented. The program consists of a balanced mixture of lectures, exercises, seminars and other teaching-learning formats (e.g. project work).

By choosing your profiles and the modules in the supplementary subject, you can set your own focus and specialize according to your interests and goals.

There are four profiles to choose from. You choose two out of four:

• Computer Vision - Image Analysis and Sensor Technology: including structure and object extraction in 2D and 3D, image sequence analysis, statistical pattern recognition and knowledge-based image analysis
  
• Spatiotemporal Metrology and Process Monitoring: including dimensional surveying methods, selected chapters on GNSS
  
• Earth System Observation - Geomonitoring & Remote Sensing: including recent geodynamics, seminar "Earth Observing Systems", SAR and InSAR remote sensing, regional gravity field modeling
  
• Geoinformatics - Modelling, Management and Analysis of Geodata: including GeoDB, 3D/4D GIS, geoinformatics project
  

The profiles (23 CP each) consist of compulsory modules and several compulsory elective modules.

An important element of the degree program is the so-called basic subject (32 CP). This lays a uniform foundation for all master's students in the program. The basic subject consists of the following modules:

• Geodetic Space Methods
• Geoinformatics
  
• Numerical Mathematics
  
• Estimation Theory
• Basics of Computer Vision and Remote Sensing
  
• Geosensors for Monitoring Applications

The basic subject is compulsory and takes place in the first half of the first and second semesters. In the second half of the semester, the compulsory modules of the profiles are offered so that there is no overlap.

In the Supplementary Subject (8 CP), you can freely choose your modules from a range of over 30 subject-related modules. In the Interdisciplinary Qualifications (4 CP), you can acquire so-called soft skills, e.g. through courses at the Language Center (SpZ), House of Competence (HoC) or FORUM. You will complete your master's thesis (30 CP) in the 4th semester.

The program can be completed entirely in German. Some courses are held in English - interdisciplinary and professionally relevant.

Program structure

Sample study plan

Profile: Computer Vision – Image Analysis and Sensor Technique, Spatiotemporal Metrology and Process Monitoring

Internship

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written paper. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 70 credit points. The master's thesis can also be completed outside the KIT Department of Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental Sciences upon request. The master's thesis includes a presentation of your results.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

The program also offers the opportunity to participate in the German-French double degree program in Geodesy and Geoinformatics/Topography. The French part takes place at INSA Strasbourg. If you successfully complete this program, you will receive an Ingénieur INSA de Strasbourg, Spécialité Topographie in addition to the German M.Sc. in Geodesy and Geoinformatics.

Further information on outgoing programs offered by the KIT Department of Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental Sciences can be found on the website, from the contact persons of the KIT Department responsible for stays abroad or from the International Students Office.

With a master's degree in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, you can work anywhere where geodata is measured, recorded, analyzed, visualized and interpreted with the help of modern information technologies and digital media: from the automotive industry, instrument development and electronics industry, software development, construction companies, engineering offices, public administration and authorities to international aerospace organizations.

In addition to direct entry into a job, a good master's degree also offers the possibility of a doctorate, which, for example, enables a later career in research and teaching.

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

• future-oriented degree course in engineering (with a mathematical and scientific focus)
  
• interdisciplinary orientation, especially with links to computer science and geosciences
  
• study in small, well-supervised groups
  
• high practical component (as part of exercises and projects)
  
• research-oriented teaching, e.g. through active involvement in research and engineering projects
  
• access to the German-French double degree (INSA Strasbourg) and opportunities for further stays abroad (e.g. semesters abroad)
  
• integration into the Eucor university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
  
• integration of the large-scale research facility of the KIT campus North into student education
  
• opportunity to participate in committees (e.g. student council, study commission) and thus help shape the educational conditions
  
• attendance at national and international student conferences (e.g. KonGeoS, IGSM)
  
• 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
  
• 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
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Geodesy and Geoinformatics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Geodesy and Geoinformatics (or a degree course with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences or university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
  
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements
  • in the field of mathematics and/or physics to the extent of at least 25 CP
    
  • from two of the following areas
    • geoinformatics (fundamentals of computer science, GIS systems, data processing) of at least 20 CP
      
    • geodesy (fundamentals, applied geodesy, advanced geodesy, data analysis) worth at least 30 CP
      
    • remote sensing and image processing of at least 10 CP
      
  Admission subject to conditions is possible. For further information see admission regulations.
  

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond 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 university 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:

• passing the German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed the 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 tests mentioned 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 for your German language skills by the application deadline, admission is still possible if you can present a provisional document proving that you have at least B2 language level. Proof of B2 level only includes

• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with an overall result of DSH-1
  
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 3 in all four parts of the exam
  
• passed telc German B2 exam

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.

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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