Program Overview

Introduction to the Geographical Information Sciences Programme

The Geographical Information Sciences (UNIGIS) programme is designed to teach students how to build complex, multi-dimensional maps based on data, analyse the information these maps provide, and use it to make effective decisions. This programme is ideal for professionals who want to enhance their careers by making their data work for them.

Programme Design

The programme is designed to allow professionals from all over the world to study and explore. It includes online lectures, reading materials, and assignments that hone both GIS and academic skills. The submission deadlines are set, but students can work on their assignments at their own pace. There are also online meetings with teachers and peers for discussions, questions, and advanced learning, which are recorded for later reference. A student tutor is available to help with scheduling issues, additional curiosities, and making the most out of the curriculum.

Programme Structure

The programme is divided into three years:

• Year 1 - Foundation: The first year (21 EC) begins with four required core modules that give students a thorough grounding in relevant GIS concepts, methods, and tools.
  • Geovisualization
  • Remote Sensing
  • Geodatabases
  • Geodata capture, standards and quality
  • Workshop Year 1 (on campus)
• Year 2 - Advanced: The second year (21 EC) focuses on diving into the depth of GIS technology and application. Students work on specific case studies, including examples and data that fit with their work interests.
  • Big Data in Sustainability Science
  • Digital Twins
  • GeoAI
  • Capstone/research proposal
  • Workshop Year 2 (on campus)
• Year 3: In the final year, students write a full master thesis on a topic that fits with their personal and professional interests, with a focus on GIS. A supervisor guides the student in the thesis process.

MSc Degree

Upon successfully completing all three years of this part-time programme, students receive a master’s degree in Geographical Information Sciences from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Career Prospects

After completing this Master’s programme, students have skills and tools that are applicable across a wide range of in-demand positions. They can immediately put these skills into practice in their day-to-day professional work, making more informed decisions based on better data. Potential career paths include Market Analyst, urban or rural City Planner, Data Manager for an NGO, or Consultant for local or national agriculture legislators. The GIS knowledge and skills acquired in this programme are valuable in various fields, from sustainability to crowd control, and from global pandemics to food security.