How the fees work. EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, then EUR 363.36 per semester. Most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester (about EUR 1,453 a year); nationals of a list of least developed countries are exempt. The compulsory student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester.
About this programme
Master in Copernicus Master in Digital Earth is a master’s programme at University of Salzburg in Salzburg, taught in English. It runs for 2 years (4 semesters) and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Salzburg as the campus town. It lists the academic degree as Master of Science, MSc. University of Salzburg is a public university in Salzburg.
How it compares
Master in Copernicus Master in Digital Earth is one of 7 English-taught Science programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 4 institutions. 7 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; this programme lists EUR 1,453 a year. 7 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.
What you will study
The Copernicus Master in Digital Earth is a two-year Master of Science at the University of Salzburg, taught in English and worth 120 ECTS. It is a research-driven Erasmus Mundus programme run by the Department of Geoinformatics, Z_GIS.
What you study
The programme takes a Digital Earth perspective and mixes spatial sciences, geovisualisation, GeoAI and Earth observation (EO) data analytics. You work on academic analysis and science-based methods, with a clear application-oriented focus. Core areas are Earth observation and Digital Earth, where you build interdisciplinary, systemic thinking in space-related research, analytical skills and problem-solving. The programme covers geospatial data collection and data management, spatial analytics, communication of results and decision support, interaction with spatial information, and aspects of general management. It also prepares you for a PhD.
How the programme is organised
This is a double degree offered jointly to outstanding candidates. In the first academic year you study Earth Observation and Geoinformatics at the University of Salzburg. In the second year you choose one of two Specialization Tracks: GeoData Science at the University of South Brittany, or GeoVisualization at Palacky University Olomouc. Blended learning methods are an integrative part of the programme and are used to develop critical thinking and to practise language and inter-cultural skills. A compulsory internship is part of the degree and links you with potential employers. The department describes strong support for students and says it translates research into education.
Who it suits
It suits someone who wants to work with geospatial data and Earth observation at a technical and methodological level, and who is ready to study in two countries. You should be comfortable with an application-oriented, research-driven approach and with blended learning. The programme is built for students aiming at complex projects in geoinformatics or at a PhD.
Admission, language and next steps
To be admitted you need a relevant Bachelor's degree or another relevant degree of at least the same higher education level from a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary institution. For Erasmus+ EMJM programmes there is a qualification-based selection process. Teaching is in English and you must provide proof of language proficiency. Dates and deadlines change every semester, so check the programme page for the current ones. There is no central application portal: you apply directly to the University of Salzburg, and its own page gives the application period. At a public university, EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters; other students pay a fee per semester.
What the register says
The study programme is scientifically based, provides a broad range of academic analysis and research methods, and prepares students for a doctoral degree programme. The master's programme provides application-oriented knowledge based on relevant theories and methods. Discipline-specific ways of thinking, analytical skills and techniques as well as problem-solving skills are developed in core areas of Copernicus and Digital Earth, especially in: geospatial data acquisition and visual / cartographic communication; data modelling and spatial data management; data analytics across the spectrum of geoinformatics: georeferenced data and data streams; spatial analysis as well as dynamic system simulation; and development of geospatial applications.
Text as the Austrian national register publishes it. Some entries are in German. For the current content and structure, use the official programme page.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Geoinformatics project planning and management
- Spatial data infrastructures
- Geoinformatics services and application development
- Spatial planning and regional management
- Mobility
- Environment and nature conservation
- Geospatial roles across business and industry
- PhD research
Before you apply
There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Salzburg. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: Three-stage admission procedure. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at, which states the language of instruction). Fees are in euros as the register lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and dates with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master in Copernicus Master in Digital Earth taught in English?
Yes. The register’s study finder lists English as the language of instruction at University of Salzburg. Confirm the language of the examinations and the thesis with the institution.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years (4 semesters) of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Salzburg as the campus town for this programme at University of Salzburg.
How do I apply?
There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Salzburg. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page.
Is there an entrance examination?
The register gives: Three-stage admission procedure. Details of any admission or aptitude procedure are on the programme page at University of Salzburg.
What does it cost?
EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, then EUR 363.36 per semester. Most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester (about EUR 1,453 a year); nationals of a list of least developed countries are exempt. The compulsory student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester. Fees are in euros as the register lists them; confirm the amount for your intake with University of Salzburg.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at, which states the language of instruction). The OeAD, the Austrian agency for international education, publishes the official information for international students at studyinaustria.at. The programme page at University of Salzburg is linked from this page so you can compare.
Same subject and level at other institutions
See all →University of Graz · Graz
Master in Environmental Systems Sciences / Climate Change and Transformation Science
More at University of Salzburg
All programmes →University of Salzburg · Salzburg
Master in Data Science
University of Salzburg · Salzburg