Master of Science in Engineering MSE, Profile Geomatics

School of Architecture, Construction and Geomatics

"Study Geomatics – The Space is Yours" - The Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences offer a practical MSE master’s programme with 16 flexible profiles. The geomatics profile prepares you for a dynamic geospatial career, with specialisations in areas like geodata processing, surveying, GIS, GPS, cartography, and spatial big data science. Connect with experts and peers across Switzerland while shaping your future in this innovative field.

Factsheet

Degree: Master of Science FHNW in Engineering, Profile Geomatics
Study mode: Full-time and Part-time/work-study
Learning environment: Onsite
ECTS points: 90
Next start: 14.9.2026
Duration: Full-time (3 semesters) or part-time (5 semesters)
Place: FHNW Campus Muttenz and Zürich
Application fee: CHF 200.-
Semester fee: Residence in Switzerland at start of studies: CHF 750.-, Residence in EU/EFTA at start of studies: CHF 1000.-

At a glance

Focus: Advanced master’s program in geodata acquisition, analysis, and visualization.
Flexibility: Practice-oriented studies with individualized module choices.
Innovation: Strong connection to applied research and emerging geomatics technologies.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Master of Science FHNW in Engineering, Profile Geomatics, are in high demand for responsible positions in private companies and public institutions within the multifaceted and growing business area of geomatics and related sectors. Jobs are open in areas such as energy infrastructures, agribusiness, cadastral surveying, geographic information systems (GIS), archaeology, environment, monitoring, logistics, planning, cultural heritage, safety or research.

Testimonials

What our students say about this course of study (in German)

Structure and programme contents

Customise your course of study

The central element of the course of study is the individual specialization in your profile. You will study this specialization with theoretical and practical work at the institute of Geomatics. You will be accompanied and supervised throughout the course of the study by a personal advisor. Thus, you acquire a set of unique skills at a high level within the framework of selected theory modules as well as practical research and development projects.

Personal Advisors

Personal advisors plan your studies with you according to your personal study goals. The advisors are available throughout your studies to discuss any issues. Thus, you benefit individually from the specialist knowledge of the research and teaching staff of the Institute of Geomatics at FHNW Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz to achieve your professional aims.

Programme Structure and Study Modes

The modular course structure of the MSE in Geomatics allows part-time or full-time studies. You gain and deepen the required knowledge and skills in specialist theory modules, context modules and applied research projects.

The MSE in Geomatics comprises a total of 90 ECTS credit points. When studying full-time the Master’s course can be completed in three semesters. When studying part-time the completion of the degree takes longer proportionally to the selected part-time study mode.

The course consists of different types of modules: Technical scientific specialization (TSM) modules, Fundamental theoretical principles (FTP) modules, Context (CM) modules, as well as specialisation modules (GEO) and specialisation research projects.

Central modules (TSM, FTP, CM)

The technical scientific modules (TSM), fundamental theoretical principles (FTP) and the context modules (CM) comprise 30 ECTS credit points (3 ECTS per module) and are offered in collaboration with the other Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences. These modules are taught in Zürich. More than 100 modules are offered, we recommend these modules for the geomatics profile.

Here you find more information on the programme structure.

Specialisation modules (GEO)

The specialisation of the profile Geomatics (GEO) comprises a selection of specialisation modules and the specialisation projects (together 30 ECTS credit points) plus the Master thesis (another 30 ECTS credit points). The specialisation modules are offered at the FHNW Campus in Muttenz and are taught by Geomatics experts of the FHNW Institute of Geomatics. The following modules are available:

Module description HABG STAR (AUT and SPR, self-study with coaching sessions)
Module description GEO_AdvSpatM ‘Advanced Spatial Methods’ (AUT)
Module description GEOSensing ‘Multi-sensor multi-dimensional GeoSensing’ (SPR)
Module description GEO CadSys 'Schweizerische Katastersysteme' (SPR, DE, Blockbildung)

Specialisation research projects

The MSE in Geomatics provides an education based on science and is oriented towards applications and challenges. Key elements in achieving this focus are the two applied research projects (20% of the study time) and the Master Thesis (one third of the study time) that each student completes during the course of the MSE in Geomatics. The project topics are diverse and often interdisciplinary. The projects may consist of applied research questions from areas such as Navigation, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Spatial Analysis and Location-based Services, Mapping, Drones/UAVs, Sensors and Measurement Technologies, Environment Monitoring, Sustainable Planning, Laser Scanning and Building Information Modelling (BIM), Archaeology or Augmented Reality.

The MSE projects are linked to ongoing applied research projects at the FHNW Institute of Geomatics and/or conducted with partners from industry and government. This ensures topical relevance and provides opportunities to expand students’ professional networks.

Module Specialization Project 1 (PDF)
Module Specialization Project 2 (PDF)
Module GEO Master Thesis (PDF)

Master Theses

On the following page you will find the posters and movies of the Master Theses of the last years.

Requirements and admission

Acceptance criteria

You are interested in Geomatics and you are looking forward to engage in depth with spatial phenomena, processes and applications. To do so you are motivated to engage with spatial data collection, data modelling, data processing and analysis as well as data and information visualization employing state-of-the-art methods and technologies. Additionally, you have a good Bachelor’s degree in Geomatics, Informatics, Geography, Cartography, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline, or you have a comparable different background.

Please contact us to discuss your options – mse.habg@fhnw.ch

Regulations and practical information

Regulations

Current examination and study regulations for the MSE programme at the FHNW:

Studien- und Prüfungsordnung Master of Science in Engineering (in German, legally binding version)
Study and examination regulation Master of Science in Engineering (translated version in English, not legally binding)

Appendix to the study and examination regulations for the MSE profile Geomatics. Definition of mandatory and elective modules:
StuPO MSE FHNW - Appendix Profile Geomatics

Admission, Fees and Regulations