MSc Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences
Stirling, United Kingdom
DURATION
12 up to 24 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 22,900 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international including EU students I UK and Republic of Ireland EUR 10,900
Introduction
This course provides a thorough scientific grounding in remote sensing and professional training in geospatial technology and programming, with a unique focus on environmental applications and space exploration.
As we have entered an era of high-resolution Earth observation, the Remote Sensing data are undergoing explosive growth. Remote Sensing data are regarded as the Big Data of the environmental monitoring world, making graduates with these skills sought after by employers.
Our MSc Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences has a unique emphasis on developing and applying Remote Sensing solutions for understanding and monitoring structures and environmental processes on Earth and other planetary bodies in our solar system. This degree has a special focus on the use of Remote Sensing data and services for climate research and the digital transformation of the environment.
The course covers topics from satellite, space, and (un)manned airborne- and ground-based platforms and provides professional training in remote sensing, GIS, data analytics, modeling, and theoretical, field, and lab skills.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
The University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters's studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honors degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Curriculum
The first semester will develop core theoretical, field, and data analytics skills alongside learning about environmental processes. In the second semester, the focus turns to training advanced skills in optical and passive remote sensing through a wide range of applications. This includes topics such as
- Aquatic and terrestrial systems
- Cometary and planetary near-surface processes
- Icebergs
- Ecology
- Marine safety
- Food security
- Human health
- Climate change
You'll also take a specialist module on GIS for learning geo-informatics skills required in the sector. This course will allow you to work with unique specialists within the University, and to work on your research project.
The space sector is growing fast, driven by rising demands of Earth observation and space exploration and the need for evidence-based solutions. The rapidly increasing rate of data collection from Earth and space missions suitable for quantifying physical and biogeochemical processes on Earth and other planetary bodies; e.g. ESA Sentinel and Rosetta, NASA Mars Exploration Rovers, and Landsat and Aqua missions, offers unique information about a wide range of different environments.
Advances in sensors and platforms (e.g. unmanned vehicles, CubeSats) support new and more detailed characterization of surfaces and processes. Collectively, these are revealing a new era for science applications and industry opportunities.
Year one: Autumn semester
- Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
- Representing and Manipulating Data
Year one: Spring semester
- Applications in Earth Observation
- Geomatics
- Planetary Exploration
Year one: Summer semester
- Dissertation
Assessment
A diverse range of assessment methods, including coursework and written or practical examinations are used in this course.
Coursework is mainly based on relevant research carried out in the field or the laboratory, working either individually or in groups, and includes elements of literature review and research design.
Coursework may be either individually or group assessed. A final year research dissertation includes an industry-linked opportunity.
Assessments are anonymously graded wherever possible, and grading is subject to robust moderation procedures.
Program Outcome
The MSc Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences aims to prepare graduates for a successful career in:
- Environmental, heritage, and resource management (e.g. agriculture, fisheries, energy, insurance, waste crime) sectors;
- The fast-growing downstream space and technology-driven industries, including government regulators, local authorities, universities, and space agencies.
We aim to provide an in-depth, critical, and balanced understanding of the theoretical foundations of remote sensing alongside current and emerging environmental and other applications.
This course will develop transferable professional and academic skills and will combine interdisciplinary scientific knowledge in environmental sciences with practical and cutting-edge observation technology.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
After you graduate
Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to build a successful career in the fast-growing downstream Space and technology-driven industries or work in environmental, heritage, and resource management sectors including government regulators, local authorities, universities, and space agencies. The course will allow one to get industry experience through modules including work-related assessments and guest speakers from the public, private, and third sectors.
Work placements
This master course includes work-related assessments and guest speakers from public, private, and third sectors. Collectively, these will help you set your career expectations and provide you with knowledge and skills that are highly relevant to recruitment needs.
The modules also integrate career readiness skills through the use of case studies from different sector perspectives. This gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with real-life solutions to common challenges in Earth observation and space exploration.
Program delivery
Duration
MSc full-time: 12 months, MSc part-time: 24 months.
Teaching
The basis of the course is research-led teaching, delivered by staff who are world leaders in their fields. This MSc will transfer to students the knowledge and expertise gained by USTIR's world-leading and ground-breaking research. Stirling provides an ideal location for studying the environment.
The following teaching and learning strategies will be followed in order to achieve the intended learning outcomes (as listed above):
- Lectures
- Guided reading
- Field and lab classes
- Assignments
- Guest lectures. Guest lecturers are drawn from academia and industry giving a good view of EO and space exploration activities and careers.
- Dissertation
Fieldwork
The is an optional module on field skills in Environmental Sciences. EPLPPG1 includes some filed activities using in-situ radiometers and drones.