Geographical Information Management and Applications (joint degree)

MSc GIMA is a joint degree programme delivered by 4 universities: Wageningen University, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, University of Twente. You will thus get the best from geo-information experts from four universities in the Netherlands. Since the start of the programme in 2003, GIMA has become one of the most popular and well evaluated Master's programmes on geo-information applications and management in the Netherlands and our community keeps growing. Moreover, GIMA is an international programme. It does not only target Dutch Bachelor's, but also foreign Bachelor's and professionals with equivalent pre-education.

Why this programme?

• Benefit from a joint degree that gives you the best of 4 partner universities
• Blended learning concept - between the contact periods when you are physically present at each of the partner university you study from the place where you think you can study best (e.g. home, library or at the campus). This gives a lot of flexibility of how you organise your study and combine it with another side activities.
• The unique aspect of the program is its focus, not only on the concepts and applications of geo-information science but also on the management of spatial data infrastructures and projects related to geo-information applications.

Inside view on this master's

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Study programme of MSc Geographical Information Management and Applications

GIMA is a Master’s programme taught in English that may be followed full-time (2 years), part-time (4 years) or through flexible study. The study programme includes both taught courses, an internship and research awarding a total of 120 points in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Curriculum

The GIMA programme is a two-year programme, and is offered as blended learning. At the beginning of each module there are 2 weeks long contact days in which teaching is being held at the campuses. After that there is a period of distance learning of approximately 12 weeks. In between, you work from your home or office. The interactivity is guaranteed by the use of electronic communication (e-learning environment) by which you regularly interact with your teachers and fellow students. At the end of the module there are two examination days at one of the four universities. You will spend the second year of the programme on your own Master’s thesis research project and an internship.

Many students feel attracted by the blended learning concept which better allows them to live where they want and combine studies with other activities (such as part time work or family). However, it should be noted that although GIMA’s blended learning offers flexibility, it also requires individual study discipline as the overall workload is at least comparable to that of more traditional Master's programme.

You can find the general course outline of the GIMA programme at the Utrecht University website with more information on what you will learn.

Application and admission

Interested in taking part in the programme of Geographical Information Management and Applications? Find out more about the specific Admission requirements and the application procedures.

Future Career

The GIMA programme aims at educating students to become;

• all-round managers of geo-information and/or
• all-round geo-information researchers and/or
• all-round geo-information application specialists

Academic careers

GIMA is a fully fledged Master of Science programme with ample attention for academic and research skills in the first six modules. Individual Master thesis research in the second part of the programme is a solid basis for a possible PhD. GIMA course participants have the advantage that they will be exposed to PhD opportunities at four Dutch universities.

Non-academic careers

GIMA graduates have excellent career prospects. Especially the demand for managers and application specialists in geo-information in the professional market is still constantly increasing. It is our experience that our students find jobs very fast upon completion of the programme. All-round geo-information managers, -researchers and -application specialists are in high demand in many different fields of application and the number of experts in this field is scarce, adding to the career opportunities for our graduates.

Alumni work in the private sector with for example energy or utility companies, or in the field of geo-marketing or consulting. Furthermore, graduates could start their career in the public sector, like in research institutes, municipalities, or other governmental services. A combination of both sectors could also be possible.