Master of Science in Earth Observation

  Admission requirements | Study programme | Studying abroad | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application

Fact sheet

The Master's

This Master’s programme offers you the opportunity to become a knowledgeable user of Earth observation technology. We envisage a future in which you contribute to innovative management of our planet’s resources, anywhere in the world. Throughout the programme, you will first be exposed to Earth observation as a suite of diagnostic instruments, with terrestrial resources as the primary field of application. In addition, you have the choice between two majors, one focused on technological aspects (bioscience engineering degree) and one oriented towards their various applications (science degree). The programme is comprised of 120 credits spread over 4 semesters within a rather flexible framework.

Admission requirements

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Study programme

All students take the general segment consisting of 60 credits. They then choose between the bioscience engineering major (50 credits) and the science major (45 credits). They complete their 120-credit programme with elective courses totalling either 10 or 15 credits. A Master’s thesis, equivalent to 30 credits, forms an inherent part of both majors.

To a detailed overview of the programme

Studying abroad

All students are given the opportunity to conduct part of their Master’s thesis research at a partner institution or organisation abroad. In addition, European residents can undertake their Master’s thesis research at a European university within the framework of the Erasmus programme.

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Assets

As the field of Earth Observation is vast and students often have diverse backgrounds and interests, participants can tailor their individual study programme to their personal profile. Not only do we offer two majors (bioscience engineering and science), but your programme will also be coloured by your choice of thematic elective courses. If your background in either ‘calculus and statistics’, ‘earth science and geomatics’ or ‘environmental science and ecology’ lacks depth, you can remedy this by taking the ‘strengthening package’ (10 to 15 credits) offered within the programme.

Career prospects

There is undoubtedly a growing demand for competent professionals in the broad field of Earth Observation. As a graduate of this programme, you may be recruited by engineering and surveying companies, mapping and space agencies, service and utility providers and public entities. You will also be well-placed for recruitment into international and national administrations dealing with urban and rural land use planning, environmental conservation and management, agricultural and food security monitoring, and disaster prevention and management. Careers can also be pursued in research and education, in which case this Master’s programme is most often complemented by a relevant PhD programme.

My experiences in the programme were invaluable and helped the progression of my career greatly. My time at KU Leuven has been immensely satisfying for me, since it certainly improved my environmental perception. Even more importantly nowadays, I acquired skills to cope with interdisciplinary tasks. I prepared my dissertation in close cooperation with the Alfred-Wegener Institute for Marine and Polar Research in Germany. I believe that the international experiences students obtain in the Earth Observation programme are increasingly important assets in the global village. This was also recognised by my current employer, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, where I started PhD research within the framework of a UNESCO project.
- Thomas Krumpen, Germany

Registration fee

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More information

Visit the faculty's website

If you have other questions, contact:

Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
tel. + 32 16 32 17 44
faculteit@biw.kuleuven.be

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