Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management MSc

This MSc programme (totalling 180 credits) comprises:

• compulsory and option courses (totalling 120 credits)
• dissertation (60 credits)

Topics

You will learn topics such as Fundamental concepts in Remote Sensing and Earth Observation. You will learn about a variety of remote sensing datasets, bespoke software, and programming languages such as Python, and Matlab, in order to explore and process airborne and spaceborne data. You will gain practical knowledge from thematic examples in surface classification, forestry, surface motion due to tectonic and glacier processes, atmospheric sounding.

You will learn fundamental concepts in spatial analysis, open-source tools for visualising and analysing Earth observation data. You will learn to use R for cleaning, combining, analysing and visualising Earth Observation Data as well as other spatial (open-street map, census household surveys) and non-spatial data.

You will also learn to use Python and bespoke softwares with graphic user interfaces to analyse LiDAR and RADAR data, which can then be used for forest mapping, for ship tracking, and for measuring Earth’s surface deformation from tectonic, climatic and anthropogenic processes.

Dissertation

We will work with you throughout your studies to prepare you for the dissertation project. This will be your opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in relation to the programme and prepare a dissertation that you can use to demonstrate your work to potential employers. Our dissertations are often linked with industry partners.

Our students' research projects are often published in academic or professional journals.

How will I learn?

Courses are delivered by staff who are active researchers in each field and their expertise is supplemented by selected guest speakers from industry or other research organisations. Our staff are continually collaborating with other academic institutions, organisations and companies worldwide. In addition, they are developing new Earth observation applications and publishing in high-ranking journals on a range of World-leading topics.

Currently, staff are part of the science teams for:

• European Space Agency's 'Biomass Mission'
• NASA's GEDI LiDAR on the International Space Station
• Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action
• National Environment Research Council Field Spectroscopy Facility

We are also working in international groups to develop the next generation of satellite sensors.

You will experience a range of learning styles while studying, depending on the subject matter and courses you are taking. Teaching for this programme will typically involve a mix of lectures, computer practical classes, workshops, seminars and field-based activities.

Courses will be assessed using a range of methods including group and individual reports, group and individual presentations, story maps, class tests, multi-choice questions, developing your own seminars.

You can view each relevant course for teaching and assessment methods through the ‘Programme Structure’ link under compulsory and option courses below.

Changes to teaching and learning

We are committed to offering high-quality education to all our students. However, please be advised that there may be changes to course options and delivery. All decisions are made to ensure we can provide the highest standards for your educational experience.

Although we endeavour to provide a wide range of optional courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on optional courses can be limited due to course capacity and timetabling constraints. It may not be possible to guarantee every offer holder their top choice of optional courses.

Part-time study

You may study this programme part-time as we are committed to helping people into education while continuing to work or managing family and personal commitments. Two and three-year part-time options are available. We recommend living within a commutable distance from Edinburgh in order to undertake part-time study, and we encourage you to contact us to discuss part-time study in more detail.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

On completing the MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management, you will be able to:

• Understand the history and frontiers of EO sensor development and data applications in both industry and research
• Explain the theory and design of a broad range of EO sensors including but not limited to multispectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, and RADAR
• Process and analyse EO data acquired from drones, aircraft and satellite over land, sea and ocean using software with graphic user interface, and through coding, scripting, cloud-computing
• Critically evaluate EO sensors and missions both technically and economically
• Construct solutions to real-world problems both independently and as a team
• Effectively communicate to stakeholders across industry, academia and government

Specialised expertise in remotely sensed data as part of larger geospatial data management is increasingly sought after in graduates.

Our MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management is designed to give you a unique and thorough understanding of this rapidly expanding field.

You will benefit from our proven track record in helping students progress to roles with a diverse range of employers in public, private and third sectors.

Our graduates

Examples of the organisations our graduates have gained employment include:

• The Satellite Applications Catapult (Senior Earth Observation Consultant)
• European Space Agency (Remote Sensing Specialist)
• Earthwave (Chief Scientific Officer)
• Edinburgh University (PhD Student)
• Conflict and Environment Observatory (Researcher)
• Gisburn District Council, New Zealand (Geospatial Analyst)
• Space Intelligence (Earth Observation Scientist)
• University of Valencia (PhD Student)

Networks

You will have unrivalled opportunities to connect with Earth observation and GIS professionals, including our alumni network of past graduates, helping you make contacts in the industry.

We promote a culture of entrepreneurship, several of our staff and former students have set up Earth observation companies. These companies contribute to Edinburgh's 'space ecosystem', which currently includes more than eight space data companies that can also act as dissertation hosts.

We are also involved with the Bayes Centre within the University, an international leader in data-driven innovation.

• Bayes Centre

Our staff are engaged with organisations such as the UK Space Agency and the Intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO), which shape the UK and worldwide policy on Earth observation. As such, you will learn from experts with first-hand knowledge of the bigger picture and what is coming next.

You will also become part of our unique Edinburgh Earth Observatory Seminar Series. We run these events in association with AGI-Scotland (Association For Geographic Information). These events will enable you to meet a range of professionals from across the Edinburgh space sector and become exposed to new ideas, together with educational and job opportunities.

Our programme has an excellent reputation amongst employers. In addition, former students will often look first to our graduates when employing new staff. Our alumni network is uniquely active, with alumni regularly contributing to teaching. We also organise an annual conference for alumni, staff and current students. This event often acts as a conduit to employment.

We also maintain close contacts with professional organisations and are ideally placed to make connections on your behalf. For example:

• The Association for Geographic Information
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society

Edinburgh Innovations – start-up opportunities

Several of our alumni have launched their own successful start-ups, such as 'Earthwave'.

We have fantastic resources through the University department 'Edinburgh Innovations' to help you successfully nurture your entrepreneurial ideas and launch your own enterprise.

• Visit the Edinburgh Innovations website

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Careers Service

Field trips

As part of the programme, you will have the opportunity to undertake a residential field course. Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel and accommodation.

During the course, students work together in small groups to conduct an Earth observation and geospatial data project.

You will receive guidance and support from our academic supervisors and experienced professionals.

The field course will enable you to experience the challenges of managing and executing a ‘real-world’ project, and completing it within time and resource constraints.

Our field trips usually take place in the world-famous Scottish Highlands. Since we strive to deliver a low carbon experience, we ensure our field trip has a low environmental footprint. We also aim to support the local economy.

Changes to field trips Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including the health and safety of our students, staff and communities, and to ensure we can maintain the highest standards for your educational experience. Where suitable, fieldwork will be relocated or rescheduled. We will also look at alternative arrangements that will ensure you achieve the quality learning outcomes of your degree. We will announce any changes as soon as possible.

Accessibility on field trips We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. In the event that you cannot attend a fieldwork trip, we will provide alternatives with comparable learning outcomes where necessary.

Facilities

Facilities are an essential asset for our research and teaching.

Computing-intensive research in Earth Observation (EO), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), meteorological and climate modelling, geophysics, and analysis of space and satellite data, is supported by access to a broad range of software licences, the Edinburgh International Data Facility parallel computing and DataStore facilities.

Dedicated computing labs are provided in the Central Campus area, although some courses or specialised activities may occur on other University sites (for example, if you are working with drone data).

Specialist training in the use of these facilities will be provided.

You will also have access to national and international supercomputing, laboratory, experimental and field facilities. Edinburgh hosts the UK’s national supercomputing centre and these facilities can be used for research projects.

We will provide you with extensive experience applying Earth observation data, including remote sensing. In addition, you will benefit from access to projects that involve the use of equipment such as survey-grade GPS and Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles.

Finally, we use field stations and facilities worldwide for research projects in the Antarctic, Arctic and tropics, on research ships in the world’s oceans, through aircraft sampling the atmosphere and remote sensing data from satellites.

You can explore some of these facilities on our website:

• EPCC supercomputing and data facilities
• GIS computing suite
• School of GeoSciences facilities

Where you will study

You will primarily be based at our King’s Buildings campus, the main campus for the University’s College of Science and Engineering. Depending on the option courses you choose, you may study at various campus locations in Edinburgh.

Students in this MSc will have access to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) Masters Hub.

Facilities

You will have access to the University's facilities across all University sites.

For example:

• laboratories
• libraries
• study spaces (some of which are open 24 hours)
• computing facilities
• social spaces
• leisure facilities

Masters Hub and Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

This programme is linked with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI). You will have access to the shared 'Masters Hub' study space in ECCI as well as the café and shared working spaces on the ground and first floors. Some of your teaching will take place in the ECCI.

ECCI is also close to many teaching spaces and facilities within the Central Area campus. For example, the Main Library and gym.

• Visit the ECCI website

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of GeoSciences and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Discover our city's landmarks, our campuses, accommodation and get video tours - all in one place.

• Take a virtual tour

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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.

We also welcome applications from applicants without a degree but who are working as geospatial professionals in the UK Armed Forces and who have undertaken relevant training.

Please provide information on any relevant industry experience or training in your personal statement when you apply.

Students from China

This degree is Band B.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been 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

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposits

Field trips and field courses

We do not charge extra fees for compulsory field trips or field courses.

The programme fees will cover costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses. This may include suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

• ScottishPower Master Scholarships

School of GeoSciences scholarships

• See potential funding for GeoSciences students

Scholarships and student funding

You can find funding opportunities, tuition fees and costs of living for prospective UK and international postgraduate students on the University website.

• Postgraduate scholarships and student funding

You are also encouraged to undertake your own research into the range of potential scholarships and other funding outside the University for which you may be eligible.

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding