In September 2026, Saxion University of Applied Sciences will launch the Netherlands’ first Associate Degree in Geo Maps & Data. This two-year degree, developed in close cooperation with industry partners, offers youngsters a new route into higher education and responds to the rising demand for professionals who can turn data into actionable maps, insights and innovative applications.
Whether the focus is on climate adaptation, urban development or smart mobility, geodata is essential for informed decision-making and innovation. Companies across nearly all sectors need trained professionals in areas such as land surveying, hydrography, GIS and other core disciplines. As a result, the geospatial sector is growing faster than ever, yet it faces a pressing shortage of skilled talent. How can the industry attract new students and young professionals to meet the high demand? And how can they be best prepared for what lies ahead?
Saxion is taking an important step to provide answers to these questions by introducing the two-year Associate Degree in Geo Maps & Data – the first and only programme of its kind in the Netherlands – for the 2026/2027 academic year. With this programme, Saxion aims to contribute to a new generation of geospatial specialists who understand how to connect technology with societal challenges, exactly at the moment the sector needs them.
The programme’s future-oriented mix of subjects combines technical knowledge with practical application. From day one, students will work on real-world assignments from municipalities, consultancy firms and companies in the geospatial domain.
Besides learning about GIS and geodata collection using drones, sensors, laser scanners and satellites, students will also develop skills in programming, data analysis and visualization. They will create dashboards, story maps and digital twins that contribute to solutions for current societal challenges such as energy, climate and housing.
The Associate Degree in Geo Maps & Data has been developed in close collaboration with the professional field, and is strongly supported by Dutch industry associations including GeoBusiness Netherlands and Geo-Informatie Nederland.
At the end of the two years, successful students receive a higher professional education diploma. Thanks to the close partnerships with industry and the hands-on structure of the programme, they already build deep connections with the professional field while studying. As a result, graduates will be able to start work as geodata specialists, GIS technicians, cartographers or geospatial data collectors, and will also have the option to progress to a bachelor’s programme.
By strengthening cooperation between academia and industry, the programme will help to secure the future not only of the associate degree itself, but also of the wider geospatial field. This creates a win-win for students, businesses and society – now and in the years ahead, according to Saxion.
Watch the video (in Dutch) introducing the new programme below.
