Geographical Information Science MSc

Course overview

Geographical information is integrated into our day-to-day life and is crucial to a growing number of industries in both the public and private sectors.

Our Geographical Information Science MSc will provide you with in-depth and specialist knowledge of GIS techniques. You’ll focus on scientific, technical and computational aspects of Geographical Information Science (GIScience), with particular reference to the socioeconomic and environmental sciences.

Core modules introduce GIS, a rapidly evolving area in business and environmental applications. You’ll be introduced to GIS packages and a range of data sources/techniques, useful for those wanting to undertake social and environmental science research and those keen to understand the application of geotechnology as practitioners. You’ll study theories and concepts underpinning GIS and have the chance to explore topics including advanced spatial data visualisation, digital image processing, and geodemographics.

As technology continues to advance, more and more organisations will be seeking trained specialists in this field to help them drive their businesses forward – which is why studying this MSc could open you up to many career opportunities.

Why study at Leeds:

• This course offers flexible study options where you can study online and part-time over 36 months to fit in with your lifestyle and other commitments.
• Our globally-renowned research conducted right here on campus feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in critical areas like geodemographics, retail planning, wilderness and remote sensing.
• Advance your skills and understanding in geographical information analysis and GIS data visualisation.
• Tailor the course to suit your career aspirations with a selection of optional modules such as business and service planning, web-based GIS, geodemographics and environmental GIS that’ll hone your knowledge in the topics that interest you the most.
• Conduct your own project work which will enable you to develop transferable skills as a researcher, investigating a real-world issue that explores and develops your interests.
• Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team of academics who are at the forefront of their fields and are actively engaged in groundbreaking research from the Institute for Spatial Data Science and the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.

Course details

The overall aim of this course is to provide you with an engaging online opportunity.

The course will provide core GIScience skills training followed by specialist skill development in a range of contemporary domains as selected by you and an opportunity to undertake a piece of independent original GIScience research under the guidance of a research leader.

The course offers a choice of specialist analytical modules spanning human/physical geography and technical skills.

Course Structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Geographical Information Science MSc in the course catalogue.

Year 1

You’ll study a foundational year of four compulsory modules covering core concepts and technical skills in GIScience.

Compulsory modules

GIS Data Visualisation and Analysis 1 – 15 credits

Develop core visualisation and spatial analysis skills needed for working with geographically referenced data. Through practical activities, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping and spatial analysis. The module will equip you with the skills needed to apply statistical analysis techniques to explore geographic data and produce high-quality outputs for decision-making and research.

GIS Data Visualisation and Analysis 2 – 15 credits

Building on GIS Data Visualisation and Analysis 1, during this module you'll develop core and intermediate spatial analysis skills needed for the analysis of geographically referenced data focusing on a range of socio-economic and environmental applications. You’ll be taught through instructional notes and practical activities, where you'll have the chance to apply your spatial analysis skills and knowledge to examine quantitative data.

Professional and Personal Development – 15 credits

Acquire skills in industry-relevant in-demand software packages and gain hands-on experience to enhance your technical skills. You'll have the opportunity to learn spatial and statistical techniques and explore the research process to enable you to consider your own professional and personal development through an awareness of professional societies, bodies and groups.

Visualisation for Geographic Data Science – 15 credits

You'll learn modern techniques for processing and wrangling data, design and critique statistical graphics that expose structure in geographic data and develop expertise in communicating statistical effects under uncertainty (all data analysis activity will be performed within the R statistical programming environment). After completing this module, you'll have a range of skills from understanding the processes of analysing geographic datasets to designing statistical graphs to communicate data.

Year 2

You’ll be required to study four 15-credit modules from a selection of optional modules. You may choose to focus on developing your technical skills further with modules covering computer programming or you may choose from applied modules covering topics such as business and planning, environment, remote sensing and geodemographics.

Optional modules

Please note: The modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

GIS and Environment – 15 credits

We give you the opportunity to explore the diverse applications of GIS in environmental studies, including terrain modelling, hydrology analysis, ecological studies, and land use mapping. The module covers issues in the application of GIS such as sampling strategies, scale, generalisation, error and uncertainty, and grid-based modelling before looking at how you can use these methods to understand landscape processes. By the end of this module, you'll gain skills in utilising ArcGIS and other GIS software packages and interpreting spatial environmental data.

Web-Based GIS – 15 credits

We will provide you with the technical skills required to build web-based mapping applications. The module will introduce industry-standard web-development technologies for data storage, manipulation, visualisation, and analysis including HTML, Javascript and CSS, client-side mapping libraries, database management systems and server-side technologies. This module focuses on developing your skill set through plenty of hands-on practical coding tasks. You'll then get the opportunity to build a web-based GIS application of your choice for your final project. Through this module, you'll gain transferable skills in web development and database management, along with enhanced abilities in effective database and file management and developing secure and efficient code.

Business and Service Planning – 15 credits

Gain an understanding of the role of GIS and spatial analysis in supporting the planning, delivery, and evaluation of public and private sector services to set you up for your future career. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to build and apply powerful spatial models in a realistic business context, with a focus on the retail sector. By the end of the module, you'll have the skills needed to critically evaluate the impact of GIS, spatial analysis, and spatial modelling on public and private services, apply spatial analysis techniques for service planning, and develop and calibrate a spatial model for use in a business context.

Digital Image Processing for Environmental Remote Sensing – 15 credits

This exciting module will introduce you to the fundamental principles of satellite image acquisition, processing, and interpretation as well as concepts, theories, and methods of earth observation from aircraft and earth orbital satellites for environmental research. You’ll learn how to use appropriate software to read, display, restore, enhance, classify and extract information about the land surface from diverse types of remote sensing images. You'll also be able to explain and perform the standard workflow used to turn remote sensing data (i.e. images) into information (i.e. thematic outputs) in a range of applications. Upon successful completion of this module, you'll be able to use digital technology and techniques to create classified images and understand the sources of digital environmental data.

Geodemographics and Neighbourhood Analysis – 15 credits

You'll learn how area (neighbourhood) characteristics impact policy decisions in various organisations. You'll gain skills to construct and apply area measures for careers in academic, public, private, and third-sector settings. The module aims to help you analyse and utilise area characteristics to support decision-making in local planning, policy evaluation, and marketing.

Programming for Geographical Information Analysis – 15 credits

You'll gain the foundation level skills needed for computer programming. It introduces you to programming and reproducible data science practice in a general and in a geographical context. It encourages reproducible software development through: the application of software licences; the production of well documented source code; software testing; version control; and the production of user documentation. It is based on the development of software for geographical data processing and visualisation in a series of supported practical exercises.

Business and Service Planning – 15 credits

Explore public and private services like retail, healthcare, transport, and emergency services from demand and supply perspectives. You'll learn to use spatial analysis and GIS tools to measure demand, supply, and accessibility, with a focus on retail. The assessment will involve interpreting modelled outputs within public sector and business contexts.

Year 3

You’ll work with your supervisor to complete a 60-credit independent research project – a chance to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve gained and specialise in an area that relates to your own ambitions and interests.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation (GISc) – 60 credits

The dissertation project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. The dissertation project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

You'll have the ultimate opportunity to design and implement an individual research project. You can expand on work or ideas from your programme or select a new topic to explore. You'll work closely with an allocated supervisor and are expected to complete an independent piece of academic work underpinned by appropriate spatial data skills.

Example dissertation themes for Geographical Information Science MSc include:

• Urban inequalities
• Transport and mobility
• Health and wellbeing
• Vulnerable populations
• Environmental analysis
• Remote sensing

Learning and teaching

You’ll be provided with a variety of online learning materials throughout the programme. You’ll work as part of a virtual online community, discussing the materials online, collaborating in group tasks and undertaking independent work whilst generally supporting one another.

You’ll also get plenty of one-on-one support. Our qualified tutors are experts in the theory and practice of GIScience and are there to support you and your group. Our tutors will act as mentors and provide you with personal guidance as you progress, advising you on how to make the most of the course and helping you to overcome any obstacles that you encounter. Any work you hand in will be returned to you with detailed comments and advice.

Active research environment

You’ll be taught by a team of academics and researchers who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research and part of the Institute for Spatial Data Science and the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.

Other study options

Modules are also available to study online as short courses. You may choose the number of modules you wish to study and will gain postgraduate credits on completion of each module. Please contact the Programme Leader, Roger Beecham should you wish to discuss this route.

Programme team

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

All assessments will be conducted via coursework and submitted online. Modules will typically require you to complete a portfolio-style assessment followed by a project which draws upon the skills obtained throughout the module.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant subject such as geography, earth or environmental science, economics or a social science, mathematics, computer science or other subjects where good numeracy and/or computing skills can be demonstrated.

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• Relevant work experience and professional training courses are viewed positively and are taken into account particularly for candidates whose first-degree grade falls below the normal minimum requirement.

You may also find our FAQs page useful.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in listening, speaking and reading and 6.5 in writing. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Please read our How to Apply page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – UK applicants

Click below to access the University’s online application system and find out more about the application process.

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Geography

Contact us

School of Geography Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: geo-tpg-enq@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £12,500 (Total)

International: £12,500 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

For the programme, you’ll need a laptop or PC capable of running standard applications (such as Microsoft Word/Excel etc). The packages we will use shouldn’t need anything more than a moderately spec’d machine running Windows. Software is typically made available to you via our online environment.

Take a look at the ArcGIS Pro system requirements and use these as the basis for your Windows laptop / computer.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

Geographical information science is becoming more and more integral to corporations worldwide, meaning your career opportunities when you graduate could be vast. The specialist intellectual knowledge and skills you’ll learn on this course are highly vocational and in high demand from employers, both in the UK and overseas.

Numerate and spatial data savvy MSc GISc graduates with both technical and domain-specific skills are sought after and transferable into a range of different organisations and roles in both the private and public sector.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Popular careers include data analysts and GIS professionals and planners working for corporations such as the United Nations, statistics agencies, local government, the police/fire/health services, retail consultancies, utility companies and beyond.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one — that’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. The University’s Careers Service is one of the largest in the country. Here, we provide a wide range of resources, ensuring you’re prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be – whether that be progression in your current career or a brand-new venture.

• Dedicated Employability Officer — gain quality advice, guidance and information to help you choose a career path. From CV and cover letter writing to supporting you with job applications, our School’s dedicated Employability Enhancement Officer is on hand to help maximise your capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies.

Find out more at the Careers website.