Program Overview

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science is designed to equip students with advanced skills in geospatial data analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote-sensing. This program is ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their career prospects in fields such as ecology, exploration, health, planning, mathematics, cartography, surveying, geography, or environmental science.

Program Highlights

• Access to specialist laboratories featuring the latest GIS and remote-sensing applications.
• Study of advanced areas of GIS, with the option to choose electives that match career ambitions.
• Graduation with advanced computing skills in GIS software, competence in GIS and remote-sensing operations, and sought-after project implementation and management skills.
• The flexibility to study externally on a part-time basis, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for entry, applicants must have:

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
• 2 years of full-time equivalent, relevant work experience. Applicants must also have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in their previous qualification.

Relevant Work Experience

Relevant work experience includes high-level experience in using geospatial technology and managing projects. All applicants applying based on relevant work experience are required to provide a resume or CV and may be requested to attend an interview.

GPA Equivalent

The GPA equivalent required for entry can vary depending on the country and qualification of the applicant. A guide is provided to help applicants determine the GPA equivalent they need to be considered for this program.

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative Annual Fee

The approximate yearly cost of tuition for domestic students is $4,685 (2026), and for international students, it is AUD $25,016 (2026). Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

Government Assistance

Domestic places in the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science are Commonwealth supported, meaning the cost of education is shared between the student and the Australian Government. International students may be eligible for financial aid from their home country or the Australian Government.

Scholarships

There are over 100 scholarships available, including the Edwin Munro Scholarship in Agricultural Science, the Roslyn Griffiths Veterinary Science Bursary, and the Rowe Scientific Foundation PNG STEM Scholarship.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply online through the University of Queensland's website. The program code for the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science is 5028. International applications should be submitted directly to UQ, while domestic applications can also be submitted through an approved UQ agent.

Important Dates

The closing date for this program is November 30 of the previous year for semester 1 commencement. Visa processing times vary, so applicants are advised to apply and accept their offer as early as possible.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

Support is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS) Unit.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science can pursue careers in various fields, including:

• Regional planning
• Built environment consulting
• Environment and resource management
• Mineral exploration consulting
• Emergency services
• Geospatial application development
• Environmental science
• Cartography
• Landscape modeling
• Ecology

Average annual salary ranges for some of these positions are:

• Urban Planner: $80K-$100K
• Geographic Information System Officer: $80K-$90K

Next Steps After Graduation

Spatial information science graduates can apply their skills across disciplines and professions, including ecology, archaeology, mineral and oil exploration, health, urban and regional planning, mathematics, cartography, surveying, and environmental science. Graduates are professionally qualified in the field of geographic information science and can pursue careers in local, state, and federal governments, semi-government agencies, private industry, and research institutions.