Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

First, check your spam or junk mail, and if you still have not received it, please contact the GEM Education Support office via email: gem-msc-itc@utwente.nl.

For the time schedule of the selection process, please visit the Admission and Eligibility Page. Find the section: ‘More detailed information on the selection criteria’ 

Applicants should have a first or upper-second class (2.1) BSc Honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a discipline related to the course.

There is no specific type of background that is needed for the course, it can be technical, social, or computing background. Ofcourse it helps if your background is in the area of the topics within the programme, but applicants that have a different background are welcome too.

No, there is no age limit, not for the study or the scholarship

These are definitely not vital but can be useful.

No. The requirement is a First class or Upper Second (2.1) class BSc degree or equivalent.

If you are finalizing your bachelor's degree studies before the 1^st of September 2024, you can apply at an earlier stage clearly indicating the expected period when the official bachelor's degree and complete transcript will be uploaded. Please note that for application, a letter from the present university stating your status, finalization date and the transcript of courses followed and your grades should be uploaded before the application deadline. 

Yes, you are welcome to apply when you already have a second degree.

No, we do not interview applicants.

Check this page for more info: https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/

You need to write a separate research proposal and motivation letter for each track application.

We ask for the research proposal as a demonstration that the applicant has thought about how the technology and knowledge learned in GEM can be applied to a research problem related to the track theme. We want to assess concise writing skills, argumentation and whether the idea is feasible, relevant and at the level expected for an MSc.

Yes, it is possible. It is important to consider that the research proposal in your application is to highlight your skill to propose a subject, but your GEM courses will clearly drive your final choice for the master thesis.

No, references should be within the 2-page limit, so we do not expect a long list of references as part of your proposal.

Check this page for more info: https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/

No, it is not necessary to provide a recommendation/reference letter.

Please refer to the admission requirements page for more information on the English proficiency pre-requisite.

Please check this page for more info: https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/

Please check this page for more info: https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/

If you are applying for the Erasmus+ Scholarship, we need all documents before the deadline mentioned on the home page or application page.

The programme is fully taught in English, there is no need to learn or speak another language. 

If your country is not on the list of exempted countries, you need to submit the results of a recognized English test, e.g. British Council/IELTS.

Yes, but we will assist you wherever possible.

However, the visas required for your second year will be handled once you start the GEM course.

Also, since you apply for an Intra EU mobility student visa, this enables you to travel/study in all EU countries of which all of the universities are part of. 

We strongly advise you not to bring your partner for the full duration of the whole course.

The scholarship will not cover the costs for your spouse.  Should you insist to bring your spouse/partner, then the programme/hosting university is not responsible for any arrangements regarding visa/logistics/finances. 

No. The course starts in September every year.

Participants are required to have a laptop/notebook that meets the foundation year university requirements.

Course participants can either bring their own laptop/notebook or purchase one from other sources if they meet the minimum requirements.

Computer access and facilities with desktops are provided, and the opportunities to download the needed software into your personal laptops (free). Also Open Source software is used often.

You have to apply for your own accommodation. However, the hosting universities will assist you wherever possible

Yes. Fieldwork can take place in any country providing that the research proposal is approved by your host university and that the fieldwork can be conducted safely.

Note - If you are an Erasmus+ scholarship holder and the fieldwork takes place in your country of residence, then you will face a deduction in the grant towards your subsistence costs. Information on partner countries can be found here.

You gain more knowledge and expertise because you are studying more topics in greater detail.

120 ECTS MSc is required for entry to many European PhD programmes, as well as increasingly by industry and government.

Not all EU and International employers consider a 60 ECTS Master as a university degree.

Yes, you will do an internship during the two-year programme.

There will be many types of software depending on the track you choose. Examples are: GIS, Python, R, QSL, Matlab. Important to note is that the course is more aimed to learn about the methods and use the software as tools, rather than learning the software in detail/in a technical form

Yes, the programme is set up to provide basic introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing for those who do not have it yet. 

No, the programme cannot be done online, you need to be physically present for the full duration of the course. 

Courses are combined with students from other studies at the university. Classes will have different numbers of students. Elective courses may be as few as 5-10 students whereas some introductory courses could be with many more students.

Check this page for more information: https://www.gem-msc.eu/about-gem-msc/.

You can find the detailed Study Guide for all study tracks at all partner universities on this page: https://www.gem-msc.eu/about-gem-msc/programme-structure/.  

Yes, it is possible to apply for multiple tracks. If selected for more than one track the GEM consortium will decide which track to accept you in. You can be accepted in a maximum of one track.  

Also consider that you need to submit a separate research proposal and motivation letter for each of the tracks you will apply for. Whilst you are free to apply for multiple tracks, we do not recommend it. 

Keep in mind that it is not allowed to change track during the course!

We advise you to check our website and the study guide carefully to decide which track you find most applicable for yourself. You should be able to decide which track is most suitable for you.  https://www.gem-msc.eu/about-gem-msc/programme-structure/  gives you more information on the different tracks. 

To see if you are eligible, it is best to submit your full application. Here you can find all the admission requirements and a link to the application portal: https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/admission-and-eligibility/. 
Only then we can decide if you are eligible because this depends on many different factors. 

No, it is not permitted to change tracks.

Many students end up in academics or professional organisations or end up starting their own companies. For an idea, please visit the testimonials page on our website.

Please visit this page for the information: 
Scholarships: https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/scholarships-and-finances/

Self-funded: https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/finances-for-self-funded-students/

The cost of living in the EU varies slightly from country to country. For more information, please visit our Student information page.

Yes, it is allowed. Many students take up part time jobs to supplement their income from scholarships or other sources. However, the GEM MSc is a programme of full-time study and study remains your main purpose.  Part-time work should be a reasonably small time commitment to be in balance with your study load.

Approximately 15 EM scholarships are awarded each year.

We are sorry, but as we are not an initial master’s program, we cannot participate in the Erasmus Exchange program.

While there is no formal restriction on the number of applications a student might submit, we generally recommend to potential applicants to carefully choose the master courses based on the preconditions/selection criteria described on the websites of the respective EMJMDs.

Please visit this page for more information:  https://www.gem-msc.eu/application-procedure/scholarships/.