Geographical Information Systems MSc
Leeds, United Kingdom
DURATION
12 up to 24 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
GBP 26,250 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international applicants: 30 July 2023 – UK applicants: 10 September 2023
** UK: £12,250 – international: £26,250
Scholarships
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Introduction
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have become a crucial part of society, benefitting a wide range of industries. From supply chain management to insurance, and urban planning to government agencies, the scope of GIS software is huge – and is only going to keep growing. This is why corporations worldwide are looking for qualified GIS experts to bring together the geospatial data that’ll help inform their future strategies and decision-making.
Our Geographical Information Systems MSc focuses on the scientific, technical and computational aspects of GIS and Geographical Information Science (GIScience), with particular reference to the socioeconomic and environmental sciences. We’ll introduce you to GIS and the packages and database systems available to use in business, health and planning settings, whilst offering optional modules that’ll allow you to expand your career prospects into the areas that interest you and are informed by the world-leading research we conduct across the university.
The holistic design of the course means that, once you graduate, you’ll have a specialist yet extensive skill set that covers all bases and will be sought after by employers in this sector. You'll also be equipped with an in-depth understanding of topical and relevant subjects in this field, enabling you to pursue a wide range of exciting career opportunities in both the private and public sectors.
Learning and teaching
Teaching will be through workshops, seminars, presentations, practicals and lectures, depending on the modules you choose. We have a dedicated postgraduate computer lab to which you will have 24-hour access and this is the lab used for workshops and practicals.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.
You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.
Required equipment
You'll need a laptop or PC capable of running standard applications (such as Microsoft Word/Excel etc). The packages we will use shouldn’t need anything more than a moderate spec’d machine running Windows. Software is typically made available to you as a download. Take a look at the ArcGIS Pro system requirements and use these as the basis for your laptop/computer.
Active research environment
You'll be taught by a team of academics and researchers who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research and are part of the Centre for Spatial Analysis and Policy research group and the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.
Other study options
This course is also available part-time, allowing you to combine study with other commitments. You can work to fund your studies, or gain a new qualification without giving up an existing job. We aim to be flexible in helping you to put together a part-time course structure that meets your academic goals while recognising the constraints on your study time.
If you are interested in studying online, we offer a part-time distance learning Geographical Information Science course. Modules of this course are available to study online as short courses.
Programme Team
The Programme Leader, Dr Paul Norman, is an Associate Professor in Population and Health Geography whose research interests include the harmonisation of small area-level socio-demographic, morbidity and mortality data to enable a time-series analysis of demographic and health change.
In this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Program Outcome
Why study at Leeds:
- Learn the latest innovations in critical areas like geodemographics, retail planning, wilderness and remote sensing from our world-leading research conducted right here on campus which feeds directly into the course.
- Advance your skills and understanding of GIS data visualisation, including spatial analysis and statistical skills required for the analysis of geographically referenced data.
- Tailor the course to suit your career aspirations with a selection of optional modules that’ll hone your knowledge in the topics that interest you the most.
- Conduct your own project work which will enable you to develop transferable skills as a researcher, investigating real-world issues that suit your interests.
- Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team of academics who are at the forefront of their fields and are actively engaged in groundbreaking research from the Centre for Spatial Analysis and Policy research group and the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.
- Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have pursued careers in some exciting corporations including ARUP, Jacobs Foundation and USAID.
Curriculum
This course comprises two semesters of taught modules followed by a dissertation project. The first semester includes three core modules. The second semester includes optional modules to allow you to specialise in your chosen pathway.
Our modules can be grouped thematically so that you can include topics relating to Planning and Society, to Environment and to Technical Development. There is the freedom to choose whichever of our modules you wish.
Core modules introduce GIS, a rapidly evolving area in business, health and planning settings, as well as in environmental applications. You'll be introduced to GIS packages and database systems, useful for those wanting to undertake social and environmental science research and those wanting to understand the application of geotechnology as practitioners.
You’ll study theories and concepts underpinning GIS and explore topics including spatial data models, data capture, spatial analysis and statistical and mathematical modelling. Optional modules allow you to focus on quantitative human geography, environmental applications and programming GIS.
The dissertation is carried out over the summer months and is an opportunity for you to investigate a topic and demonstrate your ability to apply the techniques you have learned during the course and bring in additional methods, whilst placing the work within appropriate literature contexts. Our aim is to submit the best dissertations for journal publication.
If you study this course on a part-time basis you'll study fewer modules each year. We set up a custom study course for you based on your option choices.
Project work
The dissertation project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.
Example dissertation themes for Geographical Information Systems MSc include:
- Urban inequalities
- Transport and mobility
- Health and wellbeing
- Vulnerable populations
- Environmental analysis
- Remote sensing
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Professional & Personal Development 30 credits
- GIS Data Visualisation & Analysis 30 credits
- Dissertation (GIScience) 60 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- GIS and Environment 15 credits
- Geodemographics and Neighbourhood Analysis 15 credits
- Digital Image Processing for Environmental Remote Sensing 15 credits
- Web-based GIS 15 credits
- Predictive Analytics 15 credits
- Programming for Geographical Information Analysis: Core Skills 15 credits
Admissions
Career Opportunities
The value of GIS in today’s society has grown exponentially. Organisations across the globe rely heavily on this technology – and the skilled specialists who can operate it – to visualise, analyse, predict and report on critical data, whether that be locally or globally.
From devising the best route for an emergency services vehicle to determining the effects of a natural disaster or even using your smartphone to find a local supermarket, the span of GIS is only going to grow. So, having specialist knowledge of how GIS works will open a lot of diverse career opportunities when you graduate.
Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.
Here are some examples of the jobs and organisations graduates of this course have secured:
- GIS Engineer, The General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo)
- GIS Analyst, RPS Group
- Graduate Geospatial Consultant, ARUP
- Location Intelligence Analyst, The Co-operative Group
- GIS Analyst, Jacobs Foundation
- Location Strategy Analyst, Tesco Plc.
- Technician Engineer, Land and Survery Department
- Highway Information Senior Technician, Somerset County Council
- GIS Specialist/Analyst, U.S Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Radiation Protection Specialist, International Atomic Energy Agency
Student Testimonials
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Program Admission Requirements
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