This Masters in Geospatial & Mapping Sciences focuses on understanding the theory and practice of geospatial data collection; land and hydrographic surveying; data and information quality; applications of survey information; and research and development in the field of geomatics. It is strongly endorsed by industry, accredited by the RICS and has an excellent employment record.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time; 24-48 months part-time
• PgDip 9 months full-time; 21-44 months part-time
• PgCert 3.5 months full-time; 9-32 months part-time

You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in lab, field, project and team work and study trips in the UK.

Core courses

• Land surveying principles and methods
• Fundamentals of geomatics
• Topographic mapping from ground, air and space
• Principles of GIS
• Geodesy & GNSS
• Hydrographic surveying
• Engineering surveying
• Research and professional issues.

Optional courses

• Application development in GIS
• Geospatial data infrastructures
• Hydrographic surveying applications
• Land information systems
• Photogrammetry
• Remote sensing
• Terrain modelling
• Terrestrial laser scanning.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include land surveyor, engineering surveyor, hydrographic surveyor, GIS specialist, environmental consulting.

Academic entry requirements

Normally an Honours degree in a relevant field such as civil engineering, earth or environmental science, geography, mathematics, physics, or planning, but others with some mathematical background will be considered. Those with a degree in geomatics or a closely related subject or who meet the age and experience criteria of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors can use the programme as a route to a professional qualification or preparation for a research degree and may, under special circumstances, be given exemption from some aspects of the programme.

Entry without standard academic qualifications, or with technical qualifications in geomatics for those with significant practical experience in related employment, will be considered on an individual basis.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MSc

PgDip

PgCert