What you can expect in our master's program

The English-language master's program Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics at KIT provides you with in-depth knowledge in remote sensing and geoinformatics. The program is aimed at graduates of various related bachelor's degree programs. The aim is to apply scientific methods independently and to classify their significance for complex scientific and social issues. The standard period of study is 4 semesters and you will earn 120 ECTS credits.

The program combines lectures, exercises and seminars and provides a broad foundation in remote sensing - ideal for students with different professional backgrounds.

The program is taught in English.

With six selectable profiles and a supplementary area, the program offers you scope for specialization. Practical relevance is guaranteed through lab rotations and a six-month master's thesis.

You can choose from the following 6 profiles, from which you select one:

• Computer Vision and Geoinformatics
• Computer Vision and Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere
• Computer Vision and Environmental Geodesy
• Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere
• Geoinformatics and Environmental Geodesy
• Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environmental Geodesy

Each profile (20 CP) includes a compulsory area (10 CP) and a compulsory elective area (10 CP).

In addition to the profiles, the degree program consists of the subjects Remote Sensing (21 CP), Mathematics and Beyond (17 CP), the Supplementary Modules (8 CP) and the Lab Rotations (20 CP). In the subject Key Competences (4 CP) you can acquire so-called soft skills, e.g. through courses in the Language Center (SpZ), House of Competence (HoC) or FORUM.

The Lab Rotations (20 CP) form the academic core of the study program. They give you the opportunity to gain your first practical experience in research. You choose a topic that interests you and work independently in a research group - either at KIT or at an external institution.

You will not only learn how to work scientifically, but also deepen your knowledge in a subject area of your choice. This makes it easier for you to find out which topics and research groups best suit your interests. At the end, you summarize your results in a report.

The lab rotations are also ideal preparation for your master's thesis (30 CP), which concludes your studies.

Program structure

Sample study plan

Profile: Geoinformatics and Environmental Geodesy

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 thesis. 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, Earth 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.

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.

Graduates of the degree program Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics can work in all areas where geodata is surveyed, collected, analyzed, visualized and interpreted by help of modern information technology and digital media: from automobile industry to development of appliances and electronics industry, software development, construction businesses, engineering offices, public administration and agencies to international air and space organisations. Not only is a direct start in a professional career possible, graduates with excellent accomplishments may also choose to do a doctorate which opens the possibility for a future career in research and teaching.

Characteristic features of Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics M.Sc. at KIT

• future-oriented engineering degree program (specialization in mathematics and natural sciences)
  
• master's orientation phase
  
• interdisciplinary orientation with special links to computer science and geosciences
• student research projects in small, well-supervised groups
  
• high proportion of practical work (exercises, project work)
  
• research-oriented teaching through active participation in research and engineering projects
  
• study abroad via Eucor, EPICUR, Erasmus+ or your faculty's overseas programs
  
• support in organizing your studies from the Student Advisory Services and your academic advisor
  

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 Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in a subject-related physical or natural science degree program, in Engineering or Information Technology, in particular Geodesy or Geoinformatics, or in Geosciences (e.g. environmental sciences, geoinformatics, geosciences, geodesy, remote sensing, meteorology, geoecology or similar) at a university, university of applied sciences or university of cooperative education or at 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 fields of
  • mathematics, statistics, physics and/or mechanics totaling 25 LP
  • geoinformatics, image processing, remote sensing, photogrammetry, geosciences, geodesy and/or cartography totaling 30 CP
• letter of motivation in which you explain on a maximum of one DIN A4 page in English how the master's degree program in Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics ties in with your previous personal history and how it will be useful for your future career.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics, you need sufficient knowledge of the English language. Your English language skills must correspond to at least level B2 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 English language skills

The following is sufficient proof of your English language skills

• your university entrance qualification, if
  • it certifies English language proficiency at CEFR level B2 or higher or
  • it shows that you have studied English for at least five years up to graduation and your final grade or average grade of the last two years of English lessons corresponds to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 grade points or
• a university degree with English as the only language of instruction and examination in the degree program completed - this must be clearly stated in the Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records or in the degree certificate.
• a secondary school leaving certificate or university degree from a school or university in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand

Otherwise, only the following English tests are accepted as proof of English proficiency in accordance with the statutes for the university's own admission and selection procedure for the master's degree program in Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics:

• TOEFL iBT (internet-based) with at least 90 points
• IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5, no section below 5.5
• Cambridge Certificate C1 Advanced (CAE)
• Cambridge Certificate C2 Proficiency (CPE)
• Cambridge Certificate B2 First (FCE)
• UNIcert, at least level II

Note: The above 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 B2 proof of English at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the B2 certificates listed above for your English language skills by the application deadline, admission is still possible if you can present a provisional document proving that you have already acquired English language skills.

But please don't forget: you will still have to submit the actual B2 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 one of the recognized language tests.

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

There are 16 places available each year in the master's degree program in Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics. These are allocated on the basis of a ranking list among those applicants who fulfill the admission requirements. The ranking list is based on a maximum of 100 achievable points.

You can achieve in detail

• max. 90 points for the overall grade of the final academic examination (grade of your bachelor's degree) and
  
• max. 10 points for the letter of motivation. The assessment of the letter of motivation also takes into account your ability to express yourself linguistically, particularly in English.

Study and examination achievements that are named differently but have the same content will be taken into account in the selection process if they are equivalent. The admission and selection commission decides on equivalence.

Additional contacts:

• KIT-Department of Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental Sciences
• Website Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics
• Academic advisor
• Examination board
• Information about exchange programs and studying abroad
• Student representatives Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs