Geoinformatics for Urbanised Society

The 2-year master's programme in Geoinformatics for Urbanised Society prepares highly qualified specialists in handling and analysing spatial data to better understand the global environmental and urban processes and develop decision support systems for public, private, and non-governmental sectors.

Governance increasingly relies on sensors, BIG data, analysis, and fast decision-making in the global information society. Society needs experts who can handle geoinformatics tools to understand and find solutions to complex environmental and urban challenges related to climate and environmental change, growing social inequality, and increased spatial mobility. The master's programme focuses on building interdisciplinary competence by combining geography and IT. Particular emphasis is put on the problem-driven approach and development of students' practical skills.

• Learn modern techniques of analysing environmental and urban processes in the age of BIG data.
• Use spatial analysis tools to master the entire cycle of spatial data management, starting with fieldwork and data acquisition and ending with visualising planning solutions.
• Understand how to better plan contemporary urbanised societies at times of global warming, pollution concerns, increased global population mobility, ethnic integration, housing crises in the cities and urban poverty.

After graduation, young professionals can find employment in the public, private, or non-governmental sectors as spatial data managers, spatial analysts, GIS consultants, urban and regional planners. There are numerous further employment options in international organisations dealing with global processes, national, regional and local administrative offices responsible for environmental, urban, regional development and policy. Motivated students can continue their studies on the doctoral level and pursue an academic career.

Learning outcomes

Upon graduating, the student

• has a comprehension of geoinformatics and geodatabases and can use GIS software to handle spatial data;
•  knows the geographical, social and economic processes in urbanised society as well as the related geodatabases;
• knows the environmental problems in urbanised society, the environmental technology and spatial databases used to manage and mitigate the issues;
• can use the contemporary analytical methods of spatial data and the cartographic methods to visualise spatial data;
• knows the principles and methods of spatial planning;
• has the skills to compile planning projects with the help of GIS software;
• knows the concepts of the information society, smart city and integrated planning and can implement them in planning;
• has acquired experience in teamwork and can work in teams;
• can give consultation within the field of specialisation;
• can participate in scientific research and has skills for academic writing.

Extracurricular activities

EGEA – European Geography Association for students and young geographers – unites the students of geography and geoinformatics. The active local club EGEA-Tartu organises various events and provides possibilities to participate in international conferences and seminars. By being an EGEA volunteer, the students are encouraged to participate at conferences organised by the Department of Geography, e.g. at the Mobile Tartu three-day event where the international community of location-based studies gathers. There are plenty of other professional seminars and conferences held in Tartu or in Tallinn where our students are participating, e.g. at the GIS Day and annual conference organised by Estonian Geoinformatics Society (ESTGIS).

Programme highlights in video

• Watch the programme director talk about the master's programme in Geoinformatics for Urbanised Society during Virtual Open Day 2024.
• Watch the presentation about International master's admissions by the Head of International Admissions during Virtual Open Day 2024.

Go to the application system

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The master's programme prepares specialists and experts in spatial data management for various fields of life in the public, private, or non-governmental sectors. During the studies, the students are acquainted with the spatial processes and phenomena in the contemporary society and environment, such as migration, urbanisation, land use and climate change. In data-oriented courses, students get skills and expertise for obtaining, managing, analysing, and using data in spatial planning, decision-making, and policy development.

The 'Studio' course format combines data management and geography with high-level theoretical courses and the possibility of individually designing half of the curriculum with an excellent scientific team. It provides future alumni with a competitive advantage in the current job market.

The two-year master's programme consists of four equal cycles:

• intensive and practical studio format (30 ECTS)
• specialisation courses and work placement (30 ECTS)
• elective and optional courses (30 ECTS)
• master's thesis (30 ECTS)

During the first year, the students work half of their time in spatial data and planning project courses in 'studio' format. While the year starts with field works for data acquisition and moves on through the management of databases and data analyses, it ends with a well-visualised planning project prepared by the students using spatial data. As a result of the year, the students know and can choose and use proper geoinformatics tools and methods for quantitative analysis.

The spatial data and spatial planning studios are complemented by special courses in geography (urban social geography, geography of information society, energy fluxes and material cycles) and courses for developing students' practical skills (spatial data analysis, programming, project management). In addition, students can attend several optional courses in specific fields of geography, e.g. ArcGIS, geospatial analysis with Python/R, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, visual geodata mining, 3D modelling, applied remote sensing, introduction to urban planning, socio-spatial changes in cities in transition, economic geography of urban systems, or landscape ecology in urbanised society. Next to the courses provided by the Department of Geography, students can attend courses from other institutes to advance their skills in statistics, computer sciences, contemporary regional studies, or other fields.

After the first academic year, the 3-week-long internship (work placement) provides the student with practical experiences in solving real-life tasks in a team. An internship enables the students to broaden their understanding of working with spatial data and the arrangement of work in organisations and teams. It also helps to grow the professional network of students, either in Estonia or abroad. The department helps the students to find organisations for conducting the internship. For example, we have long-term internship cooperation with Regio, Positium, Hendrikson&Ko and Tõravere Observatory. The students may also apply for internships abroad, e.g. with the help of Erasmus+ Traineeship grant.

The students design the content of the second academic year by choosing courses that support specialisation and preparing the master thesis (20 ECTS) or optional courses according to the broad interests of the students (10 ECTS). The students are encouraged to spend their third semester of studies abroad as exchange students. The department has several partner agreements with universities around Europe to study as an Erasmus exchange student. The university provides additional opportunities to study worldwide with the help of bilateral partnerships with many universities. If staying in Estonia, the students are recommended to take courses on Estonian language and culture to better integrate into the society and professional culture.

The students work continuously on their master thesis during their studies, both individually under the supervision of the supervisor as well as in special master seminars. At the beginning of the fourth semester, an individually designed course about statistical methods supports the progress of the master thesis. The fourth semester is dedicated to writing the thesis.

ePortfolio

Our students are required to create ePortfolio during their studies. They will collate their works from different courses into ePortfolio. ePortfolios contain a wide range of works such as map designs, videos, animations, databases etc.

ePortfolio is a way to showcase the highlights of a student’s academic career. ePortfolio is a creative, flexible, and powerful tool for applying for a job, PhD position, starting a business, or becoming a freelancer.

ePortfolio enables to demonstrate skills and knowledge required for the job.

Course and module details

This programme structure is the latest one confirmed by the university. Next year's modules will be updated by 15 April. Significant changes to the programme will be announced in advance on this website. Check the Study Information System for the latest updates.

People

Facilities

Tartu - the Student Capital of Estonia

As a student of the University of Tartu, you will quickly lose your heart to the city. Tartu is famous for its cosy historic campus area intertwined with the city centre and parks. The first compact university campus was founded in the beginning of the 19th century during the Age of Enlightenment. This compelling complex of classical style buildings mixed with greenery still forms the city's core.

Along with the evolving needs of research and education, campus development in Tartu has been transforming into a contemporary well-integrated and connected university town that wisely, delicately, and innovatively combines the historical heritage with current needs. Modern and historical but renovated study buildings with necessary labs and equipment provide an excellent study environment for our students in the central and the Maarjamõisa campuses. The latter, being located approximately 2–3 kilometres southwest of the downtown area, hosts natural and medical sciences together with the nationally leading university hospital.

The most recent landmark of the campus development is the newly opened university library. The renewed library provides various contemporary study options where access to academic literature in digital and traditional formats, as well as provision of physical study spaces, are its key services. The renewed library has 13 group rooms where you can study with a group of 4-15 persons. It also provides private workrooms which can be rented for private study or research work from one hour to one semester. The University of Tartu offers wireless internet service in most of its buildings, including the University of Tartu Library. Using WiFi is free of charge for all users and visitors of the UT Library, the period of use is not limited. Located just between the Town Hall Square and our study building, you will certainly find your way to this academic hub of knowledge, people, and good thoughts.

Please explore the campuses of the University of Tartu via virtual tour.

The University of Tartu together with other higher education institutions – the University of Life Sciences, Tartu Health Care College, the Estonian National Defence College, the Estonian Aviation Academy, Tartu Art College, and Tartu College of TalTech– commonly make up the image of Tartu as a university town. The employment of nearly half of the working-age population of Tartu is associated with higher education institutions.

Universities make Tartu a vivid and vibrant city that is filled with students. The students of the University of Tartu alone represent over 10% of the city’s population. There are always plenty of opportunities to be engaged with various social events and initiatives or become a member of student communities and associations.

Many sporting facilities, a green corridor along the River Emajõgi, and good quality cycling routes help to keep students physically active. In addition, Tartu is a compact city where everything you need is within walking distance.

Tartu does not provide only physical, but also digital proximity to all the places and services you need! Public or university-related WiFi connections enable you to access Internet almost everywhere in the city. For example, you can easily chat with your family and friends back home over smartphone apps everywhere in the town. Estonia is well known for its technological development, digital services and platforms that make everyday life comfortable and time use efficient. Take a look at our e-Estonia digital society.

Tartu provides an affordable living environment that is a strong incentive to move to Tartu for your studies. Monthly living costs are approximately 450 € in Tartu. These include living expenses and health insurance but do not cover the tuition fee. 

Glance at dormitories for international students.

From the blog of our International Student Ambassadors you can find more helpful posts to get acquainted to the city and its surroundings.

Modern life relies increasingly on BIG data and digital work processes – geoinformatics helps manage and analyse historical and real-time spatial data to support decision-making and policy development.

Successful completion of the master’s programme ‘Geoinformatics for Urbanised Society’ enables employment in all sectors as a spatial data manager, spatial analyst, or GIS consultant for planning and regional policy. The alumni work in several local, state, and EU institutions, consultancy companies for planning and environmental management, or companies that provide location-based analyses and IT services or cartographical solutions.

The following list of domestic and international companies and institutions shows where many of our alumni with GIS specialisation have found employment:

Regio, ReachU, Positium LBS, CGI, TerraPro, Navionics, Affecto, Telia, Hendrikson&Ko, Estonian Land Board, Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board, Environmental Board, Environmental Agency, Estonian Defence Forces, Estonian Weather Service, Met Office, Tartu Observatory, Tartu City Government, Tallinn City Government, ESPON. 

Admission requirements for Geoinformatics for Urbanised Society

• bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification (must be obtained by the end of July) – please see our country-specific document requirements  
• prerequisite courses: at least 30 ECTS (one semester) completed in the previous level of studies either in geography, geoinformatics, information technology, environmental technology, planning, geology, ecology, biology, environmental physics, economy, sociology, or government and politics.      
• English language proficiency – please see our acceptable tests and exempt categories 

NB! The restrictions for the citizens of the Russian Federation are specified here.

Applications are evaluated based on

• average grade of the previous study level (yields 50% of the final score)   
• the score of the motivation letter (yields 50% of the final score) 

Only those applicants who score 66 points or higher out of 100 as a combined score from both the motivation letter and GPA will be considered for admission.

Further information on assessing candidates´ academic performance and calculating admissions´ score. 

How to apply

The following information applies to international students and Estonian students who graduated abroad:

Estonian applicants should apply via National Admission Information Systems (SAIS). Further information in Estonian is available here.