Master of Cartography at Technical University of Munich

Technical University of Munich

Germany, Munich

University Rank:#22

The Cartography is a Master degree offered by Technical University of Munich on the Munich campus in Germany. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 4 years to complete. Students study at the Munich campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from October 1, 2026.

About Master of 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 international Erasmus Mundus Master program in Cartography is a cooperation between the Technical University of Munich, Vienna University of Technology, TU Dresden and the University of Twente. The program is devoted to a broad education in cartography and geoinformatics.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Cartography at Technical University of Munich

Entry Requirements

In terms of applying to TUM, international refers to the country where you have completed your secondary school or your undergraduate studies. It does not refer to your country of origin or the place you live.

when applying to a bachelor's degree program: You have completed your secondary school education outside of Germany with something other than a German Abitur.when applying to a master's degree program: You have completed your undergraduate studes (i.e. your bachelor's) outside of the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

To qualify for a master's degree program, you need a first academic degree, e.g. a bachelor's. The exact requirements for every degree program are stated in the Academic and Examination Regulations.

Regardless of the program you are interested in, you need an undergraduate degree which is at least equal to a German bachelor's degree with a duration of 3 years (6 semester) to be eligible to apply for a master's program.

You can look up your degree in the anabin database (available in German only) to get a first orientation whether you are generally qualified for a master's degree program in Germany.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 88

English Program Requirements

All degree programs at TUM Informatics require proof of proficiency in German, English, or both.

Check TUM’s central admissions website for information on accepted language proficiency certificates here.

Please remember that you often will need to sign up for language tests several months in advance.

Should you have no knowledge in German at all, you should plan to devote approximately 9 to 12 months to intensive courses in order to reach the required level. You must be able to prove proficiency in the relevant language for your program in order to be admitted.

For Master's applications at the department of Informatics: if the language of instruction of your Bachelor's degree was English (100%), this can be accepted as English language proof for the Master's application.
A Bachelor's thesis written in English can also be accepted as English proof. In this case a document from your university (

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Cartography

tourism transportationThe 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 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.

Fee Information

How to Apply

You need to apply for a preliminary documentation (VPD)via the uni-assist web portal. You will need to send all required documents to uni-assist as hardcopies by post.

During the online application at uni-assist, choose the Technische Universität Münchenand the option “all degree courses” (“Alle Fächer”). Do not choose a specific program.

You can have your documents reviewed by uni-assist any time of the year. Please note, however, that the application deadline at TUM must be met.

Please be aware that an application for a preliminary documentation (VPD) does not count as an application to TUM. You need to apply for your desired degree program via TUMonline as well.

Master of Cartography at Technical University of Munich

Technical University of Munich

Germany, Munich