What is Geomatics Engineering?

Geomatics Engineering is the technology of collecting, storing, processing, analyzing, modeling, displaying, and presenting information about geographical objects in a digital environment.

What is the importance of Geomatics Engineering today?

Geomatics Engineering is an engineering discipline of strategic importance. Geographic data is required in almost every aspect of life and in a very wide range of applications, from civil engineering to city and regional planning, and from artificial intelligence to the medical field.

Why should I choose Hacettepe University Geomatics Engineering?

Our department features a modern curriculum that goes beyond classical surveying methods, focusing on future competencies such as coding, data science, deep learning, and satellite technologies. Our strong academic staff and Hacettepe's deep-rooted engineering culture are our biggest advantages.

How long is the education period and what are the graduation requirements?

The standard education period of our program is 4 years, and the maximum duration is 7 years. To graduate, students must complete a course load of at least 240 ECTS credits in accordance with the curriculum table.

What is the language of instruction in the department?

The language of instruction in the Geomatics Engineering Undergraduate Program is 100% English. Students who do not meet the foreign language exemption requirements must successfully complete the English Preparatory Education Program at the School of Foreign Languages before beginning the undergraduate program.

What is the main educational goal of the program?

Our main goal is to train the highly competent, technology-oriented engineers our country needs in this field—an area whose importance is rapidly increasing alongside advancements in information and space technologies.

Which sub-disciplines / fields of study are available in the department?

Our department encompasses several key areas of expertise: Geodesy (Earth and satellites), Photogrammetry (3D modeling from photographs), Remote Sensing (Satellite image analysis), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Cartography, and Surveying Techniques.

Which courses will I take in the first years?

As with all engineering disciplines, the first year predominantly consists of basic science courses such as Mathematics, Physics, programming, and an introduction to engineering. In subsequent years, there is a direct transition to professional specialization courses and software-intensive applications.

Which technological sub-branches are taught in the department?

Our students are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and methodologies in areas such as Space and Satellite Geodesy, Digital Photogrammetry, Satellite Image Processing and Analysis, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and Laser Scanning Technology. Additionally, expertise is provided in Digital Cadastre, Zoning Applications, and Disaster Information Systems.

Is an internship mandatory?

Yes. In order to apply their theoretical knowledge in the field and in a corporate environment, our students must complete 2 mandatory summer internships (an office internship and a construction site/institutional internship) during their 2nd and 3rd years.

Is software, coding, and informatics education provided in the department?

Our undergraduate program heavily emphasizes continuously evolving information technologies and their effective use. Throughout their education, students gain a strong coding background—primarily in Python—for processes such as network analysis, spatial data management, artificial intelligence applications, and orbit modeling.

How is the laboratory and hardware infrastructure?

Our students have access to GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/Drones), laser scanners, and electronic tacheometers (Total Stations), as well as fully equipped computer laboratories where they can develop spatial analyses and deep learning models.

Do students complete a graduation or design project?

Yes. Our students gain the ability to design complex systems under realistic constraints, along with knowledge of project management. In the GMT471 Graduation Project I and GMT472 Graduation Project II courses—which represent the pinnacle of the educational process—students process and report data obtained from field applications and undergo a multi-stage, realistic jury evaluation process, including presentations and video assessments.

Are there any international student exchange (Erasmus & Erasmus+) opportunities? Yes, thanks to Hacettepe University's extensive international network, our department has Erasmus+ bilateral agreements with specific universities in Europe. Students who meet the necessary conditions can complete a portion of their education abroad. You can find other information at Admission and application requirements page.

Is there an opportunity to do a Double Major or Minor?

Students who meet the required grade point average and application conditions can expand their expertise by pursuing a Minor program with the Civil Engineering Department. However, there are no Double Major programs available between the engineering departments affiliated with the Hacettepe University Faculty of Engineering.

What are the job opportunities for Geomatics Engineers in the private sector?

The opportunities are exceptionally vast. We are highly sought after in the defense industry, aviation, navigation companies, autonomous vehicle developers, IT companies producing smart city technologies, as well as construction and surveying firms.

Which public institutions can I work for?

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM), İller Bankası, the General Directorate of Highways, the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), AFAD, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the relevant departments of Municipalities are among the top public employers.

If I choose this profession, will I constantly be working in the field?

This is one of the most common misconceptions. While graduates who prefer fieldwork can definitely work on construction sites or in the field, the vast majority of our graduates today work in office environments. They handle desk-based tasks such as digital image analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), smart city systems, software development, and spatial data analysis.

What is the role of Geomatics Engineering in the technologies of the future?

Spatial data and Geomatics Engineers are at the core of the most critical future projects, including self-driving (autonomous) vehicles, digital twins (3D virtual replicas of cities), disaster management, climate change monitoring, and atmospheric modeling.

What are the opportunities for those who want to pursue an academic career?

Our department places great importance on research and development. Students who complete their undergraduate education can continue their path as scientists in universities or research institutes by pursuing master's and doctoral programs locally or abroad.

What is life like at the Hacettepe Beytepe Campus?

Beytepe Campus is one of the most vibrant and fully equipped campuses in Turkey, featuring expansive green areas, a rich library, student clubs, sports facilities, and a direct metro ring connection. It offers not just an excellent education, but a highly enriching university culture.

What is your most important advice for candidates considering this department?

If you have an interest in mathematics, analytical thinking, informatics, and technology, this department is a perfect fit for you. Once you enter university, do not settle for just coursework; be proactive in learning how to code, integrating innovative artificial intelligence tools into your analysis processes, and exploring open-source spatial technologies.