Geospatial Sciences MSc

The Geospatial Sciences MSc routes teach students the theory, tools and techniques for working with geospatial data, from acquisition to processing to analysis.

Find out accreditation details for these programmes, and other core information such as entry requirements, programme length and cost, by visiting the applicable UCL prospectus pages:

• Geospatial Sciences MSc 
• Geospatial Sciences (Building Information Modelling and Surveying) MSc 
• Geospatial Sciences (GIS and Computing) MSc 
• Geospatial Sciences (Hydrographic Surveying) MSc 

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Programme information

You may choose to apply to one of our specialist routes, with your choice reflected in your degree title. Alternatively, you may study core geospatial modules, then have a free choice of other modules (timetabling and pre-requisites permitting), graduating with a degree in Geospatial Sciences MSc. 

Whichever route you choose, you will have the opportunity to engage and work with academics and industrial partners on cutting-edge research through seminars and a dissertation.

Module information

Students on each MSc route undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Click on the programme titles below to find out more about each route's choices.

Geospatial Sciences MSc

The programme educates students in the geospatial sciences, equipping them for careers in this rapidly developing subject. Students will gain broad knowledge of the means of acquiring, processing, and analysing spatial data. Through optional modules, students can study aspects of the subject in more depth – whether focusing on the environment (built, marine, terrestrial), the means of data acquisition or on the computational and analytical processes.

Geospatial Sciences MSc consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits) and six optional modules (90 credits). All students carry out a dissertation (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma consisting of two compulsory modules (30 credits) and six optional modules (90 credits) is also available.

Term 1

Compulsory modules 

• Geospatial Programming (CEGE0096)
• Geospatial Science (CEGE0094)

Optional modules 

• Engineering Data Analysis (CEGE0044)
• Engineering Surveying (CEGE0098)
• Spatial Analysis and Geocomputation (CEGE0097)
• Spatial Databases and Data Management (CEGE0052)

Term 2 

Optional modules

• Applied Building Information Modelling (CEGE0053)
• Reality Capture and Precision 3D Sensing (CEGE0092)
• Sensors and Location (CEGE0095)
• Spatial-Temporal Data Analysis and Data Mining (STDM) (CEGE0042)
• Web and Mobile GIS - Apps and Programming (CEGE0043)
• Machine Learning for Data Science (CEGE0004)

Students choose two optional modules in Term 1 and four optional modules in Term 2. One Term 2 module may be exchanged for an elective (any UCL Master's level module) at the discretion of the programme director.

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words and presentation.

Find out more and apply to Geospatial Science MSc

Geospatial Sciences (Building Information Modelling and Surveying) MSc 

The specialist Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Surveying programme will educate students in the geometric and semantic aspects of BIM and the integrated management of geospatial and BIM-related data. 

This route consists of seven compulsory modules (105 credits) and one optional module (15 credits). All students carry out a dissertation (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma consisting of seven compulsory modules (105 credits) and one optional module (15 credits) is also available.

Term 1 

Compulsory modules

• Data Analysis (CEGE0044)
• Engineering Surveying (CEGE0098)
• Geospatial Programming (CEGE0096)
• Geospatial Science (CEGE0094)

Term 2

compulsory modules 

• Applied Building Information Modelling (CEGE0053)
• Reality Capture and Precision 3D Sensing (CEGE0092)
• Sensors and Location (CEGE0095)

optional modules

• Web and Mobile GIS - Apps and Programming (CEGE0043)
• Machine Learning for Data Science (CEGE0004)

Please note, students on this route may exchange Web and Mobile GIS - Apps and Programming or Machine Learning for Data Science for an elective module (any UCL Master's level module) at the discretion of the programme director. 

Dissertation / report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words and presentation (60 credits).

Find out more and apply to Geospatial Science (Building Information Modelling and Surveying) MSc

Geospatial Sciences (Geographic Information Science and Computing) MSc

This specialist GIS and Computing programme educates students in the theoretical, scientific and practical aspects of geographic information science, with a strong focus on the technical and analytical aspects of the discipline.

This route consists of six compulsory modules (90 credits) and two optional modules (30 credits). All students carry out a dissertation (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) consisting of six compulsory modules and two optional modules is also available.

Term 1

Compulsory modules

• Geospatial Programming (CEGE0096)
• Geospatial Science (CEGE0094)
• Spatial Analysis and Geocomputation (CEGE0097)
• Spatial Databases and Data Management (CEGE0052)

Term 2

Compulsory Modules 

• Spatial-Temporal Data Analysis and Data Mining (STDM) (CEGE0042)
• Web and Mobile GIS - Apps and Programming (CEGE0043)

Optional Modules 

Students must choose at least one of the following:

• Applied Building Information Modelling (CEGE0053)
• Sensors and Location (CEGE0095)
• Machine Learning for Data Science (CEGE0004)

One of the above choices may be exchanged for an elective module (any UCL Master's level module) at the discretion of the programme director. 

Dissertation / report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words and presentation (60 credits).

Find out more and apply to Geospatial Sciences (Geographic Information Science and Computing) MSc

Geospatial Sciences (Hydrographic Surveying) MSc 

The programme educates students in the marine geospatial sciences, equipping them for careers in this rapidly developing subject. Students will gain broad knowledge of the means of acquiring, processing, and analysing spatial data in the marine context – using vessel-based acoustic techniques, satellite positioning, AUVs, and much more.

Geospatial Sciences (Hydrographic Surveying) MSc consists of eight compulsory modules (120 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits). Students undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma complete the eight compulsory modules only.

Term 1

Compulsory modules

• Data Analysis (CEGE0044)
• Engineering Surveying (CEGE0098)
• Geospatial Programming (CEGE0096)
• Geospatial Science (CEGE0094)

Term 2

Compulsory modules

• Applied Field Project (CEGE0093)
• Hydrographic Applications (CEGE0045)
• Reality Capture and Precision 3D Sensing (CEGE0092)
• Sensors and Location (CEGE0095)

Dissertation / report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words and presentation (60 credits).

Find out more and apply to Geospatial Science (Hydrographic Surveying) MSc