Masters Degrees in GIS

MSc Geographic Information Systems (discontinued for new entry from 2010)
MSc Geographic Information Management (discontinued for new entry from 2010)

Masters degrees are appropriate for those who want to gain specialised skills and experience that will enable them to gain employment in GIS and progress in their careers to positions that involve management, analysis, strategy and decision-making. They are beneficial to those in employment in GIS who want formal recognition for their existing skills, to update and enhance their knowledge and to further their careers and are suitable preparation for those who wish to study at an advanced level. Masters degrees consist of 8 taught modules and an Individual Project of your choosing supervised by an academic advisor. They typically take 12 months full-time or 28 months part-time and run from late September or early January.

These courses are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination, plus a project dissertation - your chance to undertake a research project with guidance from an expert GI researcher. Students successfully completing eight modules and the dissertation will be awarded a Masters level qualification.

Our courses comprise five common modules:

Digital information technologies and architectures
Geographic information science
Geovisualization
GI technologies and applications
Research methods and professional issues

Both our MSc courses will enable you to develop skills in using and managing geographic information, working with GIS, and coherently summarising complex technical information about GI Systems and communicating it to others in a structured and professional manner.

To support your studies you will have access to a wide range of resources including software, data and literature and access to cutting-edge research expertise. You will receive a GPS receiver, GIS tools and ESRI software, access to a huge database of Ordnance Survey digital mapping data, and entry to the ESRI virtual campus. You will also have the opportunity to participate in varied practical activities in order to develop GI-related skills.

These courses offer an optional internship: six months of professional IT industry experience as part of your postgraduate degree.

Comparison

MSc Geographic Information Systems

The MSc GIS course is designed to give you in-depth knowledge of GI systems, technologies, data and software that will enable you to develop and use GIS effectively in the workplace. This course has an emphasis on technology and systems. You will develop expertise in using and developing GI system technologies and software, and the ability to use them effectively and assess them critically.

Differentiating modules:

Databases
Requirements engineering
Spatial programming with Java

Course content | Course structure

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). Graduates from the course are exempt from the BCS Certificate, Diploma and Diploma Project.

MSc Geographic Information Management

The MSc GIM course is designed to give you in-depth knowledge of the information context in which geographic information is managed and used in organisations. This course has an emphasis on information and its management. You will develop expertise in managing information effectively in the context of business, social, legal and policy aspects of professional practice and developing and evaluating geographic information solutions.