What Elias says about the Master's in GIS and Remote Sensing

To GIS and Remote Sensing - Master Programme

Introducing Elias

Hi! My name is Elias and I'm the student ambassador for the Master's programme in GIS and Remote Sensing. I am happy to answer any questions you might have about the programme, courses, student life, and life in Lund and Sweden via the Unibuddy Platform, where you can chat with me (see below). Please note that I cannot answer questions about the application process, scholarships, or residence permits. 

About the programme and the teaching style

Why did you choose Lund University?

"Lund felt like an obvious choice for me since I live in nearby Malmö, and I knew I wanted to specialize in geographical information systems. Moreover, I really like being in Lund and I thought the programme curriculum seemed interesting and included technical novelties."

What do you think of your programme so far? Does it meet your expectations?

"Studying my first year, I find that the programme covers multiple technical aspects of GIS in-depth. It feels a lot like studying data science with a twist of the spatial dimension, which suits me well. The focus is less on the discussion and thematic depth of different forms of analysis, yet course literature covers some of this. Therefore, it is up to yourself, as a student, to choose which themes to focus on, which will mainly be explored through the Master’s thesis."

What is the best thing about your programme?

"My classmates! We are a group with diverse educational backgrounds, and this is helpful in addressing the quite different challenges we face. We ask each other questions and often try to figure things out together."

What do you think of the teaching style in Sweden?

"While teaching styles can vary in Sweden, in this programme, the teacher typically introduces a topic and assignment and offers time for group supervision. During supervision, it is a good opportunity for students to ask questions, and teachers are expected to respond either in-person or in writing. Personally, I like asking a lot of questions to deepen my understanding, so an available and communicative teacher is great for me. At the same time, there is also an expectation that students collaborate with classmates and use their abilities to discern information independently. "

How international is your programme?

"A vast majority of students are international students, and the representation of different continents varies from year to year. "

Have you been able to gain any practical experience during your studies?

"There is an optional opportunity to do an internship as part of the programme, however, my mind is more focused on learning about different technical skills related to GIS."

Why should prospective students choose this programme?

"It is a good programme to become more broadly technically skilled and learn to independently explore and try to solve problems related to GIS. If you are interested in further research, this is also a good programme to deepen your knowledge and meet new people."

Thoughts on spare time and tips for prospective students

What do you do in your spare time?

"I do hobbies such as going to the gym next to my department, participating in student activities such as board game evenings and language exchanges, going to choral and orchestral performances, and spending time with friends."

What have been the highlights of your first year in Lund?

"There are many things to highlight, but I would say the general daily routine: enjoying greenery on the way to university in the morning, studying with classmates, the gym in late afternoon, and finishing the day with a social activity, all within the city centre."

Do you have any advice for students that are considering coming to Lund?

"Firstly, try to learn as much as you need about your programme, and speak to the relevant staff members or international ambassadors if you have questions.

Secondly, being a small and pretty city, Lund can offer a quiet and peaceful environment, and one where you can fully focus on studies, but if you prefer an active and social one there is that option too. I would recommend trying out different activities to see what you like the most because there is truly an abundance here."