Cartography

The program in cartography covers knowledge of and competencies in the visual representation, analysis and exploration of the digital Earth, together with its spatiotemporal elements and circumstances. The content of the program focuses chiefly on methods and applications in the areas of data modelling, data analysis and the visualization of geographical information.

The master's program in Cartography is devoted, in particular, to answering complex questions relating to the spatiality of a globalized and digitalized society. As such, it considers how the cartographic visualization and analysis of our environment is gaining an ever greater significance in many disciplines – from environmental and climate protection to geology, spatial planning or agriculture and forestry.

In addition to conveying the fundamentals of the discipline and its methodologies, the program concentrates on the readable, aesthetic, and user-friendly visualization of geographical data, as well as the development of new methods of representation in the area of modern cartography (Web and Internet cartography).

Given the program's international character, each semester takes place at a different partner university. As an international master's, the program is taught entirely in English.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the master's program in Cartography (PDF, German)

The full-time program comprises four semesters (120 ECTS). Students obtain 30 ECTS per semester/at each university as well as 30 ECTS for the master's thesis. All graduates are awarded a M.Sc. in Cartography and they receive a "Joint Degree" certificate from the four partner universities.

Students form a single group during the first three semesters and proceed together to the next university at the start of each new semester. The program begins in the winter semester at the Technical University of Munich.

The first semester is devoted to conveying the fundamentals of cartography, providing the basis for the subsequent program. Students complete the second semester at TU Wien and the third at TU Dresden. Central to the second and third semesters is the acquisition of knowledge from specific areas of cartography that allows individuals to pursue their own specialization. In addition, online modules provided by the University of Twente accompany the first and third semesters. Students choose one of the four universities at which to spend their forth semester completing their master's thesis.

• Overview degree program structure
• Module catalog: Description of course content

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.

Graduates of the international master program Cartography have in-depth competence in the entire field of cartography. Fundamental knowledge in spatial data modelling, analysis and visualization of geographic information is acquired by all students. Students learn to master recent theories, methods and procedures connected to map production and map use in the context of modern cartography and geoinformatics. Graduates are capable of developing cartographic research projects and implementing them in a professional and economic way.Degree holders have the ability to capture, model, manage, analyze and visualize spatial data. They can competently handle databases and geographic information systems and manage rule-based graphic data processing in all forms and for all user groups. They are able to master all publication forms and media, from print media to electronic multimedia including web-publishing. Students gain those skills in various techniques and methods for processing and visualizing geodata that are complemented by professional evaluation procedures.Graduates are in a position to strongly influence and shape cartography as an independent science with its own research and object of knowledge, but also with strong relations to earth sciences, information sciences and communication sciences.As Cartography is an international master program, it involves students from a wide variety of cultural groups. Participants, thus, not only develop theoretical, methodological and technical skills, but social and intercultural competencies as well.Due to the requirement to write scientific project reports and a Master’s thesis, graduates of the Cartography program are able to define milestones and to meet related deadlines, to problem-solve, and to critically evaluate their own work through self-reflection. 

The qualification of M.Sc. in Cartography opens up excellent professional opportunities on national and international levels, both in the private sector and in administration or research. Graduates can work for government authorities, for map and atlas publishers or for companies specializing in GIS, location-based services, or navigation systems. Further opportunities arise in the areas of town and landscape planning, environmental protection, disaster management, tourism, transportation, or telecommunications.

In addition, the completion of the M.Sc. qualifies graduates for the PhD program. Cooperation with the four universities provides graduates with access to an international research network and thus an optimal start to a career in science.

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
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Letter of Motivation
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• 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 the winter semester: 01.04. – 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.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Aptitude Assessment for Master

The online application process takes place through our application portal TUMonline.

This degree program does not encompass a compulsory internship nor is an internship a requirement for admission. However, it is recommendable, as a rule, to gain practical experience as soon as possible.