GEM Joint Master programme
Programme description
GEM is a two-year MSc in “Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management”. GEM is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Programme (EMJMD). Thanks to funding from the Erasmus+ programme, we can offer 60 full MSc scholarships across four intakes, starting in September 2021
GEM is a prestigious, integrated, international study programme, jointly delivered by an international consortium of four higher education institutions. Each partner brings expertise in different aspects of human-environment interaction challenges with applied geospatial science:
- Natural resources management at ITC-University of Twente, the Netherlands (and GEM coordinating partner)
- Ecosystems and the environment at Lund University, Sweden
- Agriculture and Land Use Planning at UCLouvain University, Belgium
- Socio-ecological systems and urban planning at the University of Tartu, Estonia
There are four tracks to choose from. These tracks integrate academic excellence from the four universities in geospatial science applied to societal challenges for a sustainable world. Each year is spent at a different university in a different European country, depending on the track you will choose. At the end of your study, you will get a double degree from the two universities respective to your chosen track. Successful completion of the two-year course will earn you 120 credits (60 per year) which are needed to obtain the double degree diploma.
Track 1 – GEM for Urban-Rural Interactions
University of Tartu provides geospatial analysis, basic remote sensing, Geo-information method foundation and socio-ecological/urban and planning. ITC-University of Twente provides advanced remote sensing and entrepreneurship for natural resource management. This track addresses the challenge of sustainably meeting the natural resource demands of a rapidly urbanising world.
Track 2 – GEM for Land Use Systems
University of Tartu provides the same first year as track one, but with year two at UCLouvain University on environmental challenges related to agriculture, forestry and nature conservation in the context of climate change. This track addresses the challenge of planning and assessing the impact of land use change in a changing climate.
Track 3 – GEM for Ecosystems & Natural Resources
Lund University provides the foundation year in geo-informatics, including GIS/geospatial analysis, remote sensing, ecosystem modelling and dynamic process-based spatial models. ITC-University of Twente provides the second year on natural resources management including courses on rangelands, ecosystem services and conservation to address the challenge of managing and valuing natural resources to enhance the resilience of society.
Track 4 - GEM for Food Security
Lund University provides the foundation year with UCLouvain University hosting the specialisation year on food security challenges related to crop production, including its inter-annual variability in a context of changing climate and its environmental impacts. This track addresses the challenge of food security in the context of climate change and associated socio-environmental vulnerabilities.
The GEM programme intakes start every year in September, applications can be submitted every year between September and March.
Eligibility
- Satisfy the minimum requirements for English proficiency tests (e.g. IELTS of 6.5 / TOEFL of 580) for more examples of English tests see the English proficiency requirements below on this page.
- Have a first or upper second class (2.1) BSc honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognised university.
- Have a background/discipline related to the course, preferably combined with work experience in a relevant field.
Approximately 15 Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) Scholarships are offered each year. EMJMD scholarships will offer funding for the duration of a maximum of 24 months and provide the following:
The difference between a partner and programme country is explained more in detail here