OVERVIEW
The School of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Ulster University offers a fully online, distance learning, postgraduate course in Geographic Information Systems. With over 25 years’ experience in teaching GIS, and nearly 20 years of teaching this course via e-learning, we have a significant and successful track record in GIS education.
You can choose to study for the award of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science, and may do so either full-time or part-time.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
WHY STUDY GIS?
In recent years the benefits of using geo-spatial data have become more widely understood within government and business. In parallel, the need for GIS professionals has grown steadily across a wide range of sectors. Moreover, gaining GIS knowledge and skills is increasingly seen as an essential part of preparing for other types of employment, for example in the environmental sector.
Our students fall into two broad groups:
Student feedback (see separate page) shows that our course caters very well to the needs of both groups. You can find out more about graduate careers on this page.
WHY STUDY WITH US?
The course has been designed to provide a broad-based and hands-on education in the principles and practice of GIS. Core content explores the representation, acquisition, management, analysis and display of spatial data, and also introduces concepts and applications of remote sensing and spatial databases. You can choose from a range of optional modules including web-based GIS, spatial analysis and modelling, GIS for environmental management, programming for GIS, photogrammetry, GIS in the commercial environment and GIS work experience or work-based project. Over the duration of the course you will gain extensive practical experience using a variety of commercial and open source software. In addition to development of core GIS skills using ArcGIS, you will also get hands-on practice with packages such as ERDAS Imagine, Excel, SPSS, QGIS, OpenLayers, GeoServer, PostgreSQL and PostGIS, together with GIS extensions and plug-ins. Programming languages such as HTML, CSS , JavaScript and Python, are introduced in optional modules. If you decide to complete the Masters project you can focus on a topic of your own choosing.
Here are some particular strengths of our course:
Relevance to employment: we place strong emphasis on helping our students develop and improve their academic and professional skills (including practical experience of key software, problem-solving, data analysis, presentation of information, report writing, critical analysis and independent research) in order to enhance employability and career progression. Our graduates have a very high success rate in securing GI-related employment, and students already in GIS jobs, many of whom are sponsored by their employers to take the course, frequently comment on how useful they find it within their day-to-day work. Extensive hands-on practice using GIS software is central to this. Regular course reviews ensure the continuing relevance of course content in the context of rapid changes in technology and the broader industry, while video presentations by industry specialists give greater insight into not only the technologies but also the management and implementation aspects of GIS. The option to undertake a module in the workplace (subject to placement availability) has proven to be extremely popular and very successful in helping integrate academic experience of GIS with the world of work, further enhancing employability. We maintain a Facebook group for students and graduates of the course to publicise GIS jobs, PhD funding and other career-related opportunities.
Flexibility of study time and location: you can choose to take the course either full-time or part-time. As a fully online distance learning student, you can study from almost anywhere, as long as you have a well specified computer and internet access. The flexibility of e-learning also means that you can continue with the course even if you move to a new location or need to travel as part of your job.
Two intakes per year for part-time study: full-time students begin the course in late September, while part-time students may enrol for a start date of either late September (semester 1) or late January (semester 2).
Three levels of award: you can opt to study for a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Masters. The PgCert requires passes in four modules, while the PgDip requires a total of eight. Those completing the PgDip have the option of continuing to the Masters, which entails completion of an independent research project.
Standalone modules: you may enrol for individual PgDip modules if you wish to study specific topics or only want an introduction to GIS rather than to study for an award (note that a few modules have prerequisites – please see module summaries page). You can also transfer your credits if you subsequently decide to enrol for the full PgDip course.
Virtual Learning Environment: the course is delivered entirely through an e-learning teaching platform, or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), called Blackboard, through which we provide teaching materials, assignment instructions, links to electronic library resources and other reading materials, as well as discussion boards and other communication tools such as video-conferencing. Teaching materials consist mainly of lectures in various formats (e.g. as illustrated documents or podcasts) and practical exercises (written instructions with screenshots or screencasts), which may be supplemented by additional reading or video content, tutorial exercises, quizzes etc. Each module is supported by academic staff and by experienced tutors with industry and professional knowledge and expertise.
Student experience: feedback from students consistently shows that they find the course both challenging and enjoyable, and that despite studying at a distance, they feel very well supported by teaching staff, librarians, technicians and the course administrators. The fact that many new students join the course on the recommendation of previous students testifies to the satisfaction levels of graduates of the course. You can see some comments from previous students here.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
The School of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Ulster University offers a fully online, distance learning, postgraduate course in Geographic Information Systems. With over 25 years’ experience in teaching GIS, and nearly 20 years of teaching this course via e-learning, we have a significant and successful track record in GIS education.
You can choose to study for the award of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science, and may do so either full-time or part-time.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- Join an established course with excellent reputation and feedback.
- Get support and advice from experienced lecturers, tutors, librarians, e-learning and IT staff.
- Access a wide range of online resources such as e-books, digital lectures and podcasts, discussion boards and video-conference tools all within a dedicated e-learning platform.
- Develop and improve your employability, professional and academic skills and gain extensive hands-on practice with key software.
- Obtain free student copies of GIS, remote sensing and statistical software.
- Be assessed entirely by coursework – there are no formal examinations.
- Pay your fees by instalments.
- With a fully online course, you can study from almost anywhere and there is no need to travel to classes.
- You can enrol to study part-time or full-time and choose the times you study each week to suit yourself.
- Substantial relevant work experience may be accepted in place of standard entry requirements.
- Study for a Master’s degree, a PG Diploma, PG Certificate or enrol for individual modules.
WHY STUDY GIS?
In recent years the benefits of using geo-spatial data have become more widely understood within government and business. In parallel, the need for GIS professionals has grown steadily across a wide range of sectors. Moreover, gaining GIS knowledge and skills is increasingly seen as an essential part of preparing for other types of employment, for example in the environmental sector.
Our students fall into two broad groups:
- People who want to enter GIS-related employment for the first time, or who want to add GIS to their skill-set to enhance their employability (often new or recent graduates, but also including people wanting to change career).
- People already in GI-related employment who want to broaden and deepen their GIS knowledge and skills with a view to making better use of GIS or improving career and promotion prospects.
Student feedback (see separate page) shows that our course caters very well to the needs of both groups. You can find out more about graduate careers on this page.
WHY STUDY WITH US?
The course has been designed to provide a broad-based and hands-on education in the principles and practice of GIS. Core content explores the representation, acquisition, management, analysis and display of spatial data, and also introduces concepts and applications of remote sensing and spatial databases. You can choose from a range of optional modules including web-based GIS, spatial analysis and modelling, GIS for environmental management, programming for GIS, photogrammetry, GIS in the commercial environment and GIS work experience or work-based project. Over the duration of the course you will gain extensive practical experience using a variety of commercial and open source software. In addition to development of core GIS skills using ArcGIS, you will also get hands-on practice with packages such as ERDAS Imagine, Excel, SPSS, QGIS, OpenLayers, GeoServer, PostgreSQL and PostGIS, together with GIS extensions and plug-ins. Programming languages such as HTML, CSS , JavaScript and Python, are introduced in optional modules. If you decide to complete the Masters project you can focus on a topic of your own choosing.
Here are some particular strengths of our course:
Relevance to employment: we place strong emphasis on helping our students develop and improve their academic and professional skills (including practical experience of key software, problem-solving, data analysis, presentation of information, report writing, critical analysis and independent research) in order to enhance employability and career progression. Our graduates have a very high success rate in securing GI-related employment, and students already in GIS jobs, many of whom are sponsored by their employers to take the course, frequently comment on how useful they find it within their day-to-day work. Extensive hands-on practice using GIS software is central to this. Regular course reviews ensure the continuing relevance of course content in the context of rapid changes in technology and the broader industry, while video presentations by industry specialists give greater insight into not only the technologies but also the management and implementation aspects of GIS. The option to undertake a module in the workplace (subject to placement availability) has proven to be extremely popular and very successful in helping integrate academic experience of GIS with the world of work, further enhancing employability. We maintain a Facebook group for students and graduates of the course to publicise GIS jobs, PhD funding and other career-related opportunities.
Flexibility of study time and location: you can choose to take the course either full-time or part-time. As a fully online distance learning student, you can study from almost anywhere, as long as you have a well specified computer and internet access. The flexibility of e-learning also means that you can continue with the course even if you move to a new location or need to travel as part of your job.
Two intakes per year for part-time study: full-time students begin the course in late September, while part-time students may enrol for a start date of either late September (semester 1) or late January (semester 2).
Three levels of award: you can opt to study for a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Masters. The PgCert requires passes in four modules, while the PgDip requires a total of eight. Those completing the PgDip have the option of continuing to the Masters, which entails completion of an independent research project.
- The PgCert takes 3-4 months full-time or 8 months part-time;
- The PgDip takes 8 months full-time or 2 academic years part-time;
- The MSc takes 12 months full-time or 3 academic years part-time.
Standalone modules: you may enrol for individual PgDip modules if you wish to study specific topics or only want an introduction to GIS rather than to study for an award (note that a few modules have prerequisites – please see module summaries page). You can also transfer your credits if you subsequently decide to enrol for the full PgDip course.
Virtual Learning Environment: the course is delivered entirely through an e-learning teaching platform, or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), called Blackboard, through which we provide teaching materials, assignment instructions, links to electronic library resources and other reading materials, as well as discussion boards and other communication tools such as video-conferencing. Teaching materials consist mainly of lectures in various formats (e.g. as illustrated documents or podcasts) and practical exercises (written instructions with screenshots or screencasts), which may be supplemented by additional reading or video content, tutorial exercises, quizzes etc. Each module is supported by academic staff and by experienced tutors with industry and professional knowledge and expertise.
Student experience: feedback from students consistently shows that they find the course both challenging and enjoyable, and that despite studying at a distance, they feel very well supported by teaching staff, librarians, technicians and the course administrators. The fact that many new students join the course on the recommendation of previous students testifies to the satisfaction levels of graduates of the course. You can see some comments from previous students here.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
- Esri's ArcGIS, Erdas Imagine (Remote Sensing) and SPSS (statistical analysis) provided free of charge to all students.
- Access to the University’s electronic library, including e-books, electronic journals and digital extracts from textbooks.
- Ordnance Survey (N. Ireland) prize for best Distinction-level Masters Project.
- Free student membership of the AGI (Association for Geographic Information) and reduced rates for attendance at AGI events.
- Free Student Membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (our course is accredited by IES).