Geographical Information Science (MSc)

at University of Edinburgh

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.
 

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.
 

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, including due to Covid-19. Decisions are made to safeguard student, staff, and community health and safety and ensure we can maintain 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.

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.
 

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 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 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 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 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.

The fees for Geographical Information Science (MSc) may vary from £9,000 to £20,000 annually for tuition fees. The fee's prices may get higher for International Students.

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