Geographical Information Systems | University of Aberdeen

Course summary

Over 35 years of excellence in postgraduate teaching of remote sensing, GIS, visualisation, digital mapping and cartography. Geospatial technologies are of increasing importance in many areas of commercial, industrial, and government employment, including nature conservation agencies, civil and coast engineering projects and marine and coastal zone management. As a result, the demand for courses in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and the related technologies has grown considerably.

A recent survey suggests that demand by employers for graduates with skills in the application of geospatial technology will continue to grow, particularly in areas where the practical application of spatial knowledge and understanding to environmental problems is important. The Geographical Information Systems programme covers the fundamentals of techniques and tools for acquiring, storing, processing, classifying, analysing, and visualising spatially referenced data, and their application to the study of the Earth.

The Geographical Information Systems programme covers the fundamentals of techniques and tools for acquiring, storing, processing, classifying, analysing, and visualising spatially referenced data, and their application to the study of the Earth. This includes:

Spatial databases
Programming
Simulation and modelling
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Digital mapping and cartography
Airborne, satellite and UAV remote sensing
Digital image processing
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
WebGIS and Internet atlases
Field data capture
Mobile GIS

MSc Geographical Information Systems is also available to study part time online.

Modules

Course Modules

The programme draws upon a wide range of international, national, and local expertise in: coastal and marine science, landscape ecology and landscape change, archaeology, integrated coastal management, offshore, hydrographic and underwater survey, renewable energy, geology and hydrocarbon exploration, environmental risks and hazards, marine and terrestrial spatial planning, precision agriculture and climate change.

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Entry requirements

A UK 2:2 (lower second class) Honours degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Archaeology, Computing Science, Ecology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geography, Geology, Geomatics, Marine & Coastal Science, Marine Biology, Marine Science, Mathematics, Physics, Planning, Plant Science, Soil Science or Zoology.

Candidates with degrees in other subject areas will be considered if they can demonstrate interest, aptitude and/or experience in a field relevant to the application of geospatial technologies.

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6.5	Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted.
TOEFL (iBT)	90	TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818
PTE Academic	62	Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted
Institution's Own Test	Pass	Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course

To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2027/2028. For guidance, the fees on the University Online Prospectus website are for 2026/27.

Sponsorship information

Aberdeen Alumni Discount - PG

This scholarship is available for students registered for online programmes and on-campus programmes delivered at our Aberdeen campus.

A special ‘loyalty discount’ of 20% off the cost of any element of self funded graduate study is available to University of Aberdeen graduates who wish to undertake further study at the University of Aberdeen. The discount applies to a range of taught graduate programmes (Masters, Diploma, Certificate and Short Course), and the year one of a full time research programme (years one and two for part time research students). It is available to both UK/EU and International students.

Please see Eligibility at the link provided.

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/69