Land Management and Geospatial Science

The specific combination of knowledge in both land management and geospatial sciences will enable graduates to fill the professional void currently existing. Such professionals connect engineers and architects on the one hand with real estate managers and politicians on the other hand. This bridging activity can support the decision making process on where the physical structures should be and how they are managed. Such professionals will have to deal with both the technical aspects of site planning and spatial planning, land and spatial planning laws and regulations, and make use of management skills in order to reconcile people's needs, power, influence and decisions.

Understand that land and geospatial interventions are connected to multiple perspectives one can have on land. Develop innovative and creative solutions in a changing technical and social environment. Research on land related problems from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Apply methods and techniques to prepare, implement and assess land and geospatial interventions in a responsible and sustainable manner. Economic techniques to assess whether a land and geospatial intervention is cost efficient and cost effective. Make use of and rely on conventions related to informal and customary land interests. Design land information systems which maintain information about land rights, land use, land value and restrictions on land. Apply geospatial and geodetic tools systems to connect, monitor, measure and manage land related information. Design and utilize technical systems which can support decision making on land related issues. Using institutional and organizational systems in which land policies are administered, governed, prepared, discussed, designed and enforced. Connect land related problems to problems of water, agriculture, environment, forest, housing and socio-economic development. Communicate with stakeholders at all levels of administration and in all sectors of society. Apply land and geospatial concepts and methods to derive meaningful and innovative insights and feasible solutions.

Graduates will be able to work effectively at national, international and multilateral organizations and which require skilled workers to deal with land policy, land governance, land development, spatial planning, urban and rural development, such as: national and local cadastres, spatial development agencies, NGOs, ministries of land, local authorities, European and UN agencies, private companies, among others.

The degree program comprises 4 semesters and 120 CP in total. Within the first two semesters the students gain skills in land management sciences, in geospatial engineering sciences and in policy, governance, management and research sciences. In the third semester the students choose one of three areas of concentration (1. Land management skills, 2. Usage of geospatial methods and techniques, and 3. Political and organizational aspects of land and geospatial interventions) enabling students to select combinations of modules based on their specific interests, which also offers a good opportunity for international mobility, and finalize their studies in the fourth semester in writing their master’s thesis.

• Overwiew degree program structure

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.  

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English.

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more  
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Letter of Motivation
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for winter semester: 01.01. – 31.05.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

The program is aimed at applicants which are capable of handling complex problems in land matters which usually only tend to have customized and contextually relevant solutions. In addition, applicants should demonstrate good command of the English language, and should have good communication skills. Therefore, applicants are subject to aptitude assessment.

In the initial stages, the grades obtained by the applicant during the bachelor's program, as well as the provided written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either rejected or provisionally admitted subject to the qualification assessment of the second stage.
The interview represents the second stage of the procedure and helps determine whether the applicant is capable of successfully completing the desired course of study. One by one oral interviews are conducted in person or by telephone. The results of preliminary assessments and interviews leads to the ranking of candidates to be presented to a selection committee, consisting of the Dean of Studies, Program Director and Program Coordinator. It is the committee that determines who is finally accepted or rejected for admission.

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Description of the aptitude assessment (PDF 145 KB)