Geographical Information Science

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.

We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with relevant industry experience.

English language requirements

All applicants must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of their English language ability:

• an undergraduate or masters degree, that was taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration
• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries
• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
• TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 20 in each module)
• PTE(A): total 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections; the "Enabling Skills" sections are not considered)
• CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

Degrees taught and assessed in English must be no more than two and a half years old at the beginning of your degree programme. Language tests must be no more than two years old at the beginning of your degree programme.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This programme offers expert understanding of the latest developments in geographical information science (GIS), mixing practical training, theoretical knowledge and an ability to apply learned skills in any software environment.

This programme can be tailored to your interests and career goals, offering hands-on experience in geographical problem solving. A field trip to Perthshire focuses on techniques for capturing geospatial information.

Applicants who applied after 12 December 2016 receiving an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, may be required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Please see the fees and costs section for more information.

Programme Structure

Courses reflecting the industry’s needs prepare you for employment.

Compulsory courses typically will be:

• Introduction To Spatial Analysis
• Spatial Modelling
• Research Practice and Project Planning
• Distributed GIS
• GeoVisualisation
• Dissertation

Option courses:

In consultation with the Programme Director, you will choose from a range of option courses. We particularly recommend:

• Atmospheric Quality and Global Change
• Fundamentals for Remote Sensing
• Object Oriented Software Engineering Principles
• Object Orientated Software Engineering: Spatial Algorithms
• Principles of GIS
• Principles of GIS for Archaeologists
• Principles of Environmental Sustainability
• Sustainable Energy Technologies
• Marine Systems and Policies
• Technologies for Sustainable Energy
• Introduction to 3D Climate Modelling
• Geology for Earth Resources
• Encountering Cities
• Soil Protection and Management
• Understanding Environment and Development
• Advanced Spatial Database Methods
• Data Integration and Exchange
• Data Mining and Exploration
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Forests and Environment
• Further Spatial Analysis
• Hyperspectral Remote Sensing
• ICT for Development
• Integrated Resource Planning
• Introduction to Radar Remote Sensing
• Land Use/Environmental Interactions
• Querying and Storing XML
• Water Resource Management
• Participation in Policy and Planning
• Introduction to Environmental Modelling
• Management of Sustainable Development
• GIS and Society
• Communicable Disease Control and Environmental Health
• Political Ecology
• Epidemiology for Public Health

Courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.

Information for international students

To find out about the support offered to international students at Edinburgh from arrival to graduation visit: http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international

Fees and funding

Visit Scholarships and Student Funding Services at: http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding

Qualification and course duration

MSc by research

Course contact details