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.
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.
The tuition fee for this programme is 17 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.
Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
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:
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.
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!
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:
Teaching 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Are you wondering what it is like to study at Aalto? Come chat with our students and alumni about all things Aalto on Unibuddy chat platform.
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:
| What is evaluated? | Grades of the previous degree/CGPA |
| What we look for in an applicant? | The applicant's success in his/her previous studies (those that give basis for applying to the programme) will be evaluated based on the grade point average (GPA). Applicants are required to have a GPA equivalent to a minimum of 3.0 (on a scale 1.0 - 5.0, 1.0 being the minimum passing grade). |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records |
| What is evaluated? | Content and quantity of previous studies in relation to the study-option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant? | BSc or equivalent degree in a relevant field. However, the study option should provide genuinely new knowledge and enhance the career prospects of the applicant. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| What we look for in an applicant? | The applicant's previous institution (where the degree giving basis to apply was completed) will be evaluated based on the recognition and quality of the institution. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s further applicability to the study option, motivation and commitment for the studies |
| What we look for in an applicant? |
The applicant must clearly demonstrate genuine motivation to study the chosen field. If the applicant already has a master's degree, he/she should clearly indicate why he/she is applying to complete another master's degree. Motivation letter is mandatory. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter |
| What is evaluated? | The applicant's other relevant achievements or experiences are evaluated |
| What we look for in an applicant? | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Curriculum vitae (CV) |
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.
The documents requested from all applicants are listed here Applying to master's programmes . In addition, applicants to the Geoinformatics master's programme are requested to provide the following programme-specific documents:
The motivation letter is an important part of your application. It gives you an opportunity to present relevant pieces of information that cannot be provided elsewhere in the application.
Examples of questions to consider when writing the motivation letter:
If you have already completed another master’s degree in a closely related field or have the right to study for another master’s or doctoral program, explain why you are applying for this master’s degree. Applicants who already have a master’s degree in a closely related field will only be admitted with well-justified reasons.
Maaria Nordman
Professor, Programme director
Päivi Kauppinen
Planning officer
Admission Services of Aalto University
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services.
