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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 4,947
Start Date
Medium of studying
Fully Online
Duration
3 years
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Geographic Information Systems (Gis) | Geography
Area of study
Natural Science
Education type
Fully Online
Timing
Part time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 4,947
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems - PgDip, MSc

Overview

Enhance your career with our dynamic course in Remote Sensing and GIS, designed to boost your professional skills and employability!


Summary

This course offers up-to-date content and experience in both Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It combines theoretical materials with extensive hands-on exercises, covering the acquisition, manipulation, analysis, and interpretation of various forms of geospatial data. Graduates will gain a comprehensive overview of Remote Sensing and GIS, practical experience with a wide range of relevant software packages, and the ability to operate professionally in the geospatial industry.


The program addresses the demand in both the industrial and public sectors for science-qualified geospatial personnel. These professionals can use remote sensing data and advanced spatial analytical skills to interpret big data, informing planning and development across various disciplines. Those completing the Master's component will also demonstrate their ability to undertake and present independent research at an advanced level.


If you don't want to study for a PG Diploma or Masters, you can take individual modules or a PG Certificate (4 modules) that provides a solid grounding in the principles and practice of Remote Sensing and GIS.


To maximise accessibility and learning opportunities, this course is delivered fully online in a part-time format.


About this course

Why Remote Sensing and GIS?

The demand for remote sensing and GIS professionals has been steadily increasing within government, business, education and voluntary sectors, whereas rapid growth in availability of spatial data, mainly via remote sensing satellites and other big data sources provide a huge potential to map, monitor and understand systems and change in terrestrial and marine environments. Skills in remote sensing and GIS enables analysis across global or local scales on a rapid basis in vast application areas spanning both physical and human geography – climate change, agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, marine planning, sustainable urban development, epidemiology and crime analysis are to name a few.


This course aims to provide comprehensive training in capturing, storing, analysing, and interpreting big earth data, equipping professionals with the expertise needed to excel in these dynamic fields.


Who is it for?

Ask yourself these simple questions: Are you a fresh graduate desiring to enter remote sensing/GIS-related employment for the first time, or add remote sensing and GIS to your skillset to enhance employability, qualification or change career? Are you a professional already in remote sensing/GIS-related employment and want to broaden and deepen your remote sensing and GIS knowledge and skills with a view to making better use of spatial technologies, or want to enhance your career and promotion prospects, or even just qualification?


If you answered yes to any of these, then good news – this course is for you!


Our remote sensing and GIS programme offer flexible learning through part-time education – while each module has assessment deadlines, you study at a time and pace that suits you. Further, you decide the duration of the course! PG Certificate in 1 year, PG Diploma in 2 years and MSc in 3 years.


Why us?

We are a well-established provider of online distance learning postgraduate courses. With 30 years of experience in teaching GIS, including nearly 25 years via online distance learning, we have a proven track record in GIS education. Our innovative and career-focused modules and research are designed to impart knowledge, skills, and confidence, enhancing your employment prospects.


Our modules are delivered online through the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment, which provides access to lectures, practical exercises, reading materials, and additional study resources all in a single place. Integrated communication tools, such as discussion boards, video conferencing, and email, facilitate interaction and support from experienced lecturers and tutors. All assessments are conducted entirely online, with no formal sit-in examinations.


What you get!

  • Fully Online Course: Study from almost anywhere without the need to travel to classes. Choose study times each week that suit your schedule.
  • Up-to-Date Skills: Gain the latest skills and experience in handling geospatial data and methods.
  • Free Software: Receive a free copy of ArcGIS, the remote sensing package Erdas Imagine, and the data analysis package SPSS.
  • Expert Support: Benefit from the support and advice of experienced lecturers, tutors, librarians, e-learning, and IT staff.
  • Comprehensive Online Resources: Access e-books, digital lectures, podcasts, discussion boards, and video-conference tools within a dedicated e-learning platform.
  • Enhanced Employability: Improve your professional and academic skills with extensive hands-on practice using key software.
  • Independent Research Project: For MSc students, conduct a substantial independent research project, written as a research journal article, which may be submitted for publication with your supervisor's agreement.

Modules

This guide outlines the modules covered in this course. Our curriculum is regularly updated to incorporate the latest teaching methods, research advancements, and industry trends. Please note that the modules offered and their sequence may vary based on course updates, staff availability, scheduling, and student interest.


In a part-time course, students enrol in just two modules per semester, with each module running in a different half of the semester. Please contact the course team if you need more information.


Compulsory modules

  • EGM711 – Principles of GIS (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 1 and is a compulsory module.
  • EGM713 – Introduction to Remote Sensing (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 1 and is a compulsory module.
  • EGM703 – Advanced Active and Passive Remote Sensing (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 1 and is a compulsory module.
  • EGM712 - Spatial Data Management (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 1 and is a compulsory module.
  • EGM702 – Photogrammetry and Advanced Image Analysis (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 2 and is a compulsory module.
  • EGM722 – Programming for GIS & Remote Sensing (15 credits)– this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 2 and is a compulsory module.

Optional modules

  • GROUP A – pick one (these modules run in weeks 1-6 of semester 2)
    • EGM715 – Web-Based GIS (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 2 and is an optional module.
    • EGM716 – Spatial Analysis and Modelling (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 2 and is an optional module.
  • GROUP B – pick one (these modules run in weeks 7-12 of semester 2)
    • EGM705 – Marine Remote Sensing (15 credits) – this this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 2 and is an optional module.
    • EGM721 – GIS for Environmental Management (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 2 and is an optional module.

Upon successful completion of the PG Diploma, students can advance to the MSc program and enrol in the EGM704 Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Project, a 60-credit module. This module allows students to conduct significant research in an area of their interest. Assessment will be based on the project plan, two progress reports, and a research paper.


Attendance

This course is fully online and part-time, with no requirement to visit Ulster University at any stage.


  • PG Certificate: 8 months part-time
  • PG Diploma: 2 academic years part-time
  • MSc: 3 academic years part-time

As a distance learning student, you can choose your own study hours each week. However, as a part-time student, you should expect to dedicate an average of 17-20 hours per week to the course.


Students wishing to study at a slower pace than the standard part-time course can enrol for one module per semester instead of two.


Start dates

  • September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The course is delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Blackboard Ultra. This platform provides access to teaching materials, assignment instructions, electronic library resources, and other reading materials, as well as discussion boards and communication tools. Teaching materials primarily include lectures in various formats (e.g., illustrated documents or podcasts) and practical exercises (written instructions with screenshots or screencasts). These may be supplemented by additional readings, video content, tutorial exercises, quizzes, and more. This flexible format allows you to study at your own pace, from any location, at any time, with no requirement to attend campus.


Learning is supported by lecturers and e-tutors through discussion forums, email, phone, or video-conferencing tools. Discussion forums encourage class participation and provide opportunities to learn from different perspectives and connect with fellow students.


Assessment methods include practical reports, problem analysis, research projects, presentations, blogs, online tests, and group work. The Master’s component involves a substantial independent research project, written as an academic paper, which may be considered for submission to a scientific journal. Assessment is based solely on coursework, with no sessional examinations.


Once registered, you will have access to the University's extensive online library resources, including electronic journals, e-books, and databases.


Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition. Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).


We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.


The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.


Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.


Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.


Entry Requirements

As a normal requirement, applicants must hold an Honours degree (2:2 or above) with a substantial component of geography, environmental science, computing or other numerate discipline. Applicants with other equivalent and relevant qualifications or experience can also be considered on an individual basis.


English Language Requirements

  • English language requirements for international applicants
    The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.


Careers & opportunities

Career options

Remote sensing, GIS, and geospatial technologies underpin a rapidly growing, multi-billion-dollar industry. These technologies are becoming increasingly mainstream in both the public and private sectors, creating a high demand for graduates with a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.


Participants and graduates of this course can pursue a variety of remote sensing and GIS-related roles, including analysts, scientists, consultants, project managers, surveyors, data specialists, technicians, mapping officers, and roles in development, sales and marketing, customer support, GIS training, lecturing, and research (including funded PhD projects).


The diverse applications of remote sensing and GIS ensure a wide range of job opportunities. Our GIS graduates have found employment with mapping agencies, GIS and SatNav companies, environmental consultancies, ecological and marine resource management agencies, renewable energy companies, forestry and fisheries departments, town planning departments, heritage agencies, health and emergency services, housing authorities, local government, aid agencies, countryside recreation organisations, rural development projects, retail analysis firms, utilities and infrastructure companies, further and higher education institutions, mining and mineral exploitation companies, and the oil industry, among others.


Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.


Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).


The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.


For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:


Fees Credit Points NI/ROI/GB Cost International Cost*
5 £201.10 £494.70
10 £402.20 £989.40
15 £603.30 £1,484.10
20 £804.40 £1,978.80
30 £1,206.60 £2,968.20
60 £2,413.20 £5,936.40
120 £4,826.40 £11,872.80
180 £7,239.60 £17,809.20
240 £9,652.80 £23,745.60

*International student access to courses is subject to meeting visa requirements. More information can be found in the Visas and Immigration section.


Where the postgraduate course selected offers multiple awards (e.g. PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters), please note that the price displayed is for the complete Masters programme.


Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are charged at a pro-rata basis.


Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase


Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.


If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.


Additional mandatory costs

This course has very few additional mandatory costs and most of the reading material is available free of charge via the University's electronic library resources. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of online books and journals, but you will be expected to purchase a small number of textbooks during the course. However, costs are kept as low as possible and are not likely to exceed £150 in total.


The latest version of Microsoft Office is available to download for current students, free of charge. You can run Office on up to five desktop Mac or Windows. You can also run Office Mobile on up to 5 mobile devices (on supported mobile operating systems). Other software programs required for this course are either freely available (open source) or else provided free of charge under academic licence (e.g., ESRI's ArcGIS, the remote sensing package Erdas Imagine and SPSS for statistical analysis).


To participate in this course, you will need a desktop or laptop computer running Windows. The computer or laptop must meet the minimum requirements to run ArcGIS Pro. For detailed specifications, please refer to the ArcGIS Pro system requirements (opens in new window). Please note that although ArcGIS Pro can be run on a Mac, the software tends to run with fewer issues on Windows. A broadband internet connection is also required.


Please contact the course team if you need more information.


It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.


Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.


There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.


Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.


See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.


Sustainability at Ulster

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.


At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.


We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships : Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.


Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.


Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.


Faculty of Life and Health Sciences – Sustainability in Focus

Learning and Teaching


Our Faculty is dedicated to integrating sustainability across our curriculum, preparing students to address global environmental challenges.


The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) have been incorporated throughout each course within the Faculty and each module outlines how and where they meet these SDG’s.


Subject specific guidance on sustainability has been provided in the QAA benchmarks statements for Biomedical Science and Biomedical Sciences; Biosciences; Chemistry; Optometry; Psychology; Earth Sciences; Veterinary Nursing; Agriculture; Rural –Environmental Sciences; Animal Studies; Consumer Science; Forestry, Food Horticulture –and –Human Nutrition; Health Studies; Earth Sciences and Geography.


Research and Knowledge Exchange


Our Faculty has key centres of research excellence within all Schools and our interdisciplinary approach brings together researchers from diverse fields to develop impactful solutions.


By advancing knowledge in various fields within the faculty, we aim to identify sustainable approaches to:


  • Health promotion
  • Achieving food security improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture
  • Ensuring healthy lives and promote wellbeing
  • Promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls
  • Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
  • Promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
  • Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development
  • Implementation and revitalisation of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

External Partnerships


Collaboration is key to driving sustainability. Our Faculty partners with external stakeholders including professional bodies and learned societies to enhance the sustainability journey for all our students and to promote sustainable practices.


External partnerships enable us to apply research and innovation to real-world challenges. We drive meaningful change in local communities, industries, and global ecosystems, fostering a more sustainable society through impactful projects and community engagement.


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