Geographical Information Science MSc

This MSc programme comprises:

• compulsory and option courses
• dissertation

You will be taught by leading experts in the field, including both university academics and professional colleagues with many years of experience in GIS.

You will also have opportunities to attend professional seminars and conferences to understand more about the GIS industry.

Throughout your studies, we will work with you 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.

Part-time study

As we are committed to helping people into education while continuing to work or managing family and personal commitments, you may study this programme part-time.

How will I learn?

You will experience a range of learning styles while studying, depending on the subject matter and courses you are taking.

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

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.

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. We will continue to update you on the teaching you can expect throughout your application process.

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.

By studying the MSc Geographical Information Science, you will be able to:

• understand the range of methods used to acquire, store, analyse and display spatial and attribute data in the context of geographical information systems;
• understand the concept of database management and its implications;
• demonstrate skills in quantitative techniques, spatial data analysis and data visualisation;
• critically review available GIS technologies, assessing their merits and shortcomings;
• predict future developments and understand the implications of standardisation efforts;
• be aware of a range of applications of GIS and Earth Observation;
• develop intellectual skills in critical analysis and synthesis of information;
• access relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of a topic;
• develop reasoned arguments firmly grounded in the published literature;
• generate new knowledge through the advancement of previous studies;
• plan and write assignments within the specified parameters and to a professional standard;
• take responsibility for your own learning through reading and the preparation of assignments, and reflect upon your learning experience;
• develop transferable skills in written and verbal communication, group and teamwork, computing, programming and numeracy, time and project management;
• work as an independent researcher and as part of a team.

Demand for GIS expertise continues to develop at an unprecedented rate.

The proven ability of our graduates means our internationally recognised programme is held in high regard by our employers. The vast majority of our students gain employment before completing the programme or within a few months of graduating.

The expertise gained on this programme will enable you to pursue a career in many fields, including:

• surveying
• illustration and 3D visualisation
• digital archiving
• heritage management
• terrain modelling
• database management
• geomatics
• IT consultancy

Our graduates have been very successful in gaining employment worldwide in a variety of public and private sector organisations.

Types of roles include:

• GIS analysts
• data managers
• product development engineers
• conservationists
• geomatics specialists

Networks

Our programme has excellent relationships with relevant employers as well as a diverse alumni network.

We provide a dedicated GIS Careers event, with contacts in industry giving you valuable information on the current market and an insight into potential employment opportunities.

Our graduates

Examples of organisations our graduates are employed by include:

• Microsoft
• Google
• IBM
• Oracle
• General Electric Aerospace
• ESRI
• The World Bank
• British Antarctic Survey
• The World Conservation Monitoring Centre
• Deloitte
• British Airways
• Forestry Commission
• Environment Agency
• Clean Earth Energy
• ARUP
• Scottish Government
• Scottish Water
• Green Highland Renewable
• Historic Environment Scotland
• local, city and federal governments around the world

While the MSc gives candidates a great foundation in geospatial theory and practical skills; it also pushes candidates to be creative and resourceful in developing solutions. This is a mindset that I've still taken with me five years into my GIS career. It is especially valuable for me in applying GIS in resource-limited contexts within the non-profit sector." Rica Duchateau, MSc Geographical Information Science

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 course

As part of the programme, you will have the opportunity to undertake a residential field course. Our field trips usually take place in the world-famous Scottish Highlands.

During the course, you usually work together with other students in small groups to conduct a small-scale GIS 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’ GIS project, including within time and resource constraints.

There are no additional charges for compulsory 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.

Facilities

Facilities are an essential asset for our research and teaching.

Computing-intensive research in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), meteorological and climate modelling, geophysics, and analysis of space and satellite data is supported by access to our well-equipped in-house GIS suite with a broad range of software licences and the Edinburgh Computer and Data Facility parallel computing and DataStore facilities.

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.

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:

• GIS computing suite
• School of GeoSciences facilities

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

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 C.

• 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

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

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.
• 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 70 with at least 59 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 three and a half 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.

Living costs

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

Featured funding

• DataLab/School of Geosciences Scholarships in GIS
• ScottishPower Masters 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