MSc Geographical Information Systems

Program Overview

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MSc Geographical Information Systems

Prepare for a career in the innovative field of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Build your skills in this essential area of the world’s information infrastructure.

Key Info - MSc

• Learning mode: Online
• Study level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
• Credits: 180
• Typical duration: 24 months
• Start month: September or January
• Indicative cost: £16,240

Overview

• What you’ll study
• How you’ll study
• Where this will take you
• Fees and funding
• Entry requirements

Learn Practical GIS Skills and Analyse Spatial Data

Join a university with over 30 years of excellence in postgraduate teaching of remote sensing, GIS, visualisation, digital mapping and cartography.

Geospatial technologies are of increasing importance in many areas of commercial, industrial, and government employment. This includes nature conservation agencies, civil and coastal engineering projects, and marine and coastal zone management. As a result, the demand for skills in GIS and related technologies has grown considerably.

In this GIS degree, you’ll study the techniques and tools for acquiring, storing, processing, classifying, analysing and visualising spatially referenced data, and their application to the study of the Earth.

You’ll cover:

• Spatial databases
• Programming
• Simulation and modelling
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
• Digital mapping and cartography
• Airborne, satellite and UAV remote sensing
• Digital image processing
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• WebGIS and Internet atlases
• Field data capture
• Mobile GIS.

What You’ll Study

You can choose to study for a:

• Masters (180 credits), or
• start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (15 credits).

Master of Science - 180 credits

You’ll work through eight 15-credit courses and a 60-credit dissertation to earn your MSc.

You can begin in September or January and progress at a pace that suits you.

Duration

Typically, it takes 24 months to complete this MSc part-time. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term.

In this flexible degree, you can also take breaks between courses.

Courses

• Origins, Evolutions and Implementation of GIS (15 credits)
• Introduction to GIS Tools, Techniques, Cartography and Geovisualisation (15 credits)
• UAV Remote Sensing, Monitoring and Mapping (15 credits)
• Fundamentals and Advanced Applications of Map Algebra (15 credits)
• WebGIS and Online Mapping (15 credits)
• Database Systems and Big Data (15 credits)
• Advanced Spatial Analysis and Programming (15 credits)
• Current Applications of GIS (15 credits)

Dissertation

• Dissertation in Geographical Information Systems (60 credits)

How You’ll Study

Online Learning

MSc Geographical Information Systems is delivered part-time, 100% online.

Your Teaching

Your teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies.

You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Your Tutors

You’ll learn from internationally experienced geoscientists and academics, with direct input from industry via guest lectures and an industry advisory board.

Assessments

This degree is assessed entirely online.

Study Hours

Hours for Taught Courses

If you plan to study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. Students typically take one or two 15-credit short courses per term.

• 15 credits: Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
• 30 credits: Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.

Activities at Fixed Times

Some activities will be scheduled for fixed times, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.

Hours for 60-credit Projects and Dissertations

A 60-credit project or dissertation is around 600 hours of study time.

Support

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your tutors via MyAberdeen and email. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.

We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:

• Careers and Employability Service – including one-to-one advice sessions
• Disability support
• IT support
• Library support
• Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
• Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
• Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
• Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier

Where This Will Take You

Careers

Our GIS graduates have a very successful employment record in the commercial sector, environmental agencies, local and national government, research, and academia.

They’ve gone on to work as:

• Project officers
• Programmers
• Sales managers
• GIS engineers
• Senior consultant GIS specialists
• Project managers.

Further career opportunities include:

• GIS consultant
• GIS technician
• Planning analyst
• Spatial data consultant.

Fees and Funding

Master of Science

• 180 credits: £16,240

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.

Pay as You Go

This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.

You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.

You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.

Additional Costs

• TerrSet Software: You will need to purchase a piece of software for one of the courses in this degree: Advanced Spatial Analysis and Programming. The software is called TerrSet. You can buy TerrSet online.
• Learning resources: All other software and all books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee.
• Printing: You will have to pay for a printed A0 poster for one of your presentations. As a guide, printing for this is around £35.
• Memory stick and/or external hard drive: You may have to purchase a suitable memory stick or external hard drive, if you do not already have these, for storing data and coursework.

Entry Requirements

MSc

• A 2:2 UK honours degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Archaeology, Computing Science, Ecology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geography, Geology, Geomatics, Marine & Coastal Science, Marine Biology, Marine Science, Mathematics, Physics, Planning, Plant Science, Soil Science or Zoology.

You can also apply if you have:

• a degree in another subject area and can show your interest, aptitude and/or experience in a field relevant to the application of geospatial technologies.

International Students

• Entry requirements: We welcome students from all over the world. See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.
• Visa requirements: You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
• English language requirements: Teaching is delivered in English. If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.

How to Apply

You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.

Applying to the University of Aberdeen is always free.

• Degree transcript
• Personal statement
• Degree certificate
• CV / Resume

Your personal statement should focus on providing answers to the following questions:

• What is your background in geospatial technologies?
• What specific aspects and areas of geospatial technologies are you interested in?
• What applications of geospatial technologies would you like to pursue and why?
• How do you think your background (both academic and work-related) is relevant to the study of the geospatial technologies?
• How do you see a qualification in the geospatial technologies helping your future career?

IT Requirements

Studying GIS involves storing and processing large datasets. In order to handle this, you need access to adequate computing power. You will need:

• A computer (ideally a PC or laptop) with an up-to-date operating system
• Computer specifications: Any desktop or laptop should be the highest spec you can afford, with a minimum of 8 to 16GB RAM (ideally 32GB or more), plus graphics card/onboard RAM, a fast processor, and a large hard drive or SSD (1TB or above).
• External hard drive and memory stick: You’ll need some external storage for storing and backing up your data and coursework.
• Reliable internet access: We recommend a wired connection and a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
• Speakers or headphones: We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise. A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one from some interactive sessions.
• Software: One of the courses in this degree, Advanced Spatial Analysis and Programming, requires you to purchase a piece of software that is not included in your tuition fee. The software is called TerrSet. You can buy TerrSet online.

Program Outline

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Outline:

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Course Schedule:

• The MSc in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a two-year program, starting in September or January.
• Students can choose to study part-time, taking 15 credits per semester, with the option to fast-track by taking 30 credits per semester.
• The total program length depends on the desired course load and completion pace, varying between 24 months (taking 15 credits per semester) to 30 months (taking 15-30 credits per semester).

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Individual Modules:

Eight 15-credit short courses and a 60-credit dissertation comprise this program. Students progress at a pace that suits them.

• 15 credits:
• Origins, Evolutions and Implementation of GIS (September)
• Introduction to GIS Tools, Techniques, Cartography and Geovisualisation (September or January)
• UAV Remote Sensing, Monitoring and Mapping (September or January)
• Fundamentals and Advanced Applications of Map Algebra (January)
• WebGIS and Online Mapping (September)
• Database Systems and Big Data (September)
• Advanced Spatial Analysis and Programming (January)
• Current Applications of GIS (January)
• 60 credits: Dissertation in Geographical Information Systems (May)

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Teaching:

• Teaching Mode: The program is offered entirely online, utilizing the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for course materials, communication, and assessment.
• Learning Resources: Students have access to online resources such as the award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, study software, and a variety of other digital materials.
• Study Schedule: The text encourages setting a realistic study schedule and choosing the desired workload per term.
• Time Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate 8-10 hours per week for 15-credit courses and 15-20 hours for 30-credit courses, with additional hours required during assessment periods.

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Teaching Staff

The program features international experts and experienced academics in geosciences. The industry advisory board, consisting of professionals from various fields within GIS application domains, constantly reviews the course content to maintain industry relevance and cutting-edge training.

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Careers:

• Career Prospects: Graduates have a successful track record in various sectors, including the commercial sphere, environmental agencies, local and national governments, research, and academia.
• Career Examples: Project Officer, Programmers, Sales Managers, GIS Engineers, Senior Consultants, Project Managers.
• The University also provides access to the SCONUL Access scheme, allowing students to utilize university libraries across the UK and Ireland for studying and research purposes.