Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
About
The course teaches state-of-the-art skills such as spatial data collection, management, analysis, visualisation and publication and enables students to develop skills in programming, spatial modelling, satellite technology, databases and a range of other digital technologies.
With over 80% of all data being geographic, GIS is now a business critical part of most Industry, government and community sectors, which in turn, has created a growing requirement for highly skilled GIS professionals. The GI sector itself, despite recessions and pandemics has been growing at around 10% per year and the number and variety of employment opportunities is increasing.
The course at Ulster University has been providing skilled, employment ready, GIS professionals for over 20 years and is the largest GIS course in the UK and Ireland. The course is flexibly designed to accommodate students from various backgrounds and experiences, ranging from recent graduates from degree courses to people already in the workforce with many years previous experience who want to up-skill for promotion or pursue a career change. We offer substantial support to facilitate students who are studying on a part time basis. For instance, each module has e-tutors who provide strong online support through email and discussion boards. Furthermore, teaching staff are available for students via email, online chats and other communication methods.
Ulster’s strong reputation for provision and expertise in the GIS sector makes us an excellent choice for local students who are keen to up-skill for careers in key growth areas in the NI Economy.
Start dates
22 September 2025 to late April 2026 (30 weeks taught). Please note the application deadline for this programme is 18 September 2025.
Delivery format (fully online)
Typically the course will have 5 hours of taught content per week. Those undertaking the course should expect to spend 25 hours per week on the course.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching will be fully online with lecture and practical material being released on a weekly basis. With no formally timetabled compulsory classes, the format of delivery provides you with the flexibility to study remotely at your own pace, from any place, at any time, with no requirement to attend the campus at any stage during the course.
There is strong support from a team of e-tutors who are experienced GI professionals with industry and/or research expertise in environmental research areas. Suggested reading materials, tutorials and discussion boards compliment the University's extensive online library resources of electronic journals, e-books, and databases facilitate a rich learning experience.
Assessment is 100% coursework using on-line submission and ranges from reports to essays.
Career options
GIS and geospatial technologies underpin a rapidly growing, multi-billion dollar industry, and are becoming increasingly mainstream within both the public and private sectors, resulting in a need for a steady supply of graduates who have a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
The breadth of potential uses of GIS ensures a great diversity of job opportunities; for example, our graduates have found employment with mapping agencies, GIS, SatNav and technology companies, GIS and environmental consultancies, ecological and marine resource management and environmental agencies, renewable energy companies, forestry, fisheries, town planning departments, heritage agencies, health and emergency services, housing authorities, local government, aid agencies, countryside recreation, rural development, retail analysis, utilities and infrastructure, Further and Higher Education, mining and mineral exploitation and the oil industry, among others.
Academic Profile
Dr Sally Cook – Dr Cook’s teaching focuses on the science, technology and application of GIS, with emphasis on the use of GIS to map, model and undertake spatial and statistical analysis of social and environmental impacts. She is also involved in various outreach activities including facilitating greater use of GIS within secondary education through the GIS In Schools project. .
Sally’s research interests focus mainly on the application of GIS technology and geographic methodologies, spatial data analysis and modelling to aspects of environmental, health and social sciences. These have been applied within University-funded projects such as widening access, spatial analysis of university data and encouraging uptake of GIS in secondary education as well as to externally funded research.
Dr Robert McNabb – Dr Bob teaches various modules on advanced remote sensing methods, including the Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing module. His main research focus has been on glacier change, and how glaciers impact not only the physical world, but terrestrial and marine ecosystems. At present, he is working on projects to study glacier changes in Alaska since the Little Ice Age, re-processing historic aerial and satellite images to study landscape and glacier changes, and mapping glaciers and landscape features using tools such as Google Earth Engine.
Dr Saad Bhatti – Dr Saad’s teaching focuses on Web-based GIS and GIS for Environmental Management modules at postgraduate level. He is also the course director of the GIS and Remote Sensing & GIS postgraduate courses at Ulster. Saad’s research area is mainly application of GIS, remote sensing and spatial methods in urban and human geography.
Dr Edoardo Grottoli – Dr Edo teaches the Principles of GIS module at postgraduate level, in addition to several undergraduate modules. Edoardo is a coastal geomorphologist with interests in many aspects of physical processes, hazards, and management of coastal zones. His research methods range from field measurements to remote sensing and GIS analyses. His primary research foci are sediment transport, storm impact and monitoring of sandy and gravelly beaches in different wave and tidal environments. Recently, Edo worked on shoreline change analyses over the last two centuries to better understand long-term drivers of coastal change.
Contact
If you have any queries about the course, please email GES@ulster.ac.uk.
Further Information
Modules
Principles of GIS (EGM711) Semester 1, weeks 1-6
This (COMPULSORY) module introduces the theory and practice of Geographic Information Systems, reviewing the breadth of potential GIS applications and equipping students with the key concepts and skills required relating to the input, management, manipulation, analysis and output of spatial data. Lecture-based teaching of key concepts is reinforced by linked practical exercises developing skills in ESRI’s ArcGIS. The module assumes no prior knowledge or experience of GIS.
Spatial Data Management (EGM712) Semester 1, weeks 7-12
This module builds on the knowledge and practical skills gained in EGM711 to provide further experience in the acquisition and management of spatial data. Methods for generating and integrating digital spatial data from primary and secondary sources are considered, with lecture and practical sessions looking at digitising, geo-registration, data collection (e.g. GPS and LiDAR) and using secondary sources such as the Census and government population statistics. The module also incorporates extensive practice in data handling, GIS functionality and analysis and statistics. Development of GIS software skills focuses primarily on ArcGIS, while the SPSS package is used to introduce statistical analysis of GIS data. EGM711 is a prerequisite for EGM712.
Web-based GIS (EGM715) Semester 2, weeks 1-6
This optional module aims to provide an introduction to web-based GIS using a range of languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The course will also introduce FOSS packages such as OpenLayers and GeoServer. The course introduces programming fundamentals such as forms, web pages, customisation and GIS applications. Practical work is central to learning on the course both in directed practicals and during the participants’ own time. The course aims to introduce participants to a range of programming languages relevant to the GI industry. It aims to enable participants to appreciate the role and diversity of applications of programming with specific reference to web-based GIS. The course is designed to improve presentation skills through a series of online discussions. Participants will be encouraged to consider important elements of interface design to facilitate the use of GIS applications.
Spatial Analysis (EGM716) Semester 2, weeks 1-6
The optional module introduces students to concepts of spatial data analysis and spatial modelling, exploring issues such as spatial autocorrelation, quantification of spatial distributions, spatial regression and the impact of scale and aggregation, as well as providing an opportunity for students to expand their skills in GIS-based modelling. Practical work and assessment are intended to encourage the further development of independent research skills, including use of academic literature for context and guidance as well as broadening and deepening software skills.
GIS for Environmental Management (EGM721) Semester 2, weeks 7-12
Environmental management plays an important part in policy, planning and decision making in diverse areas within government and industry. GIS has been established as a powerful environmental planning tool given the inherent geographical nature of environmental systems and the impacts on them. This optional module builds on the breadth of knowledge developed in earlier modules in relation to spatial analysis and modelling, providing theoretical background and practical skills relevant to environmental management, with an emphasis on independent learning. The module aims to enable students to appreciate the need for properly researched information to support environmental management decisions, and to be familiar with the means by which such information can be obtained and evaluated. The module is intended to encourage independent learning, to foster autonomous development of software skills and to promote the acquisition of research skills.
Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing (EGM722) Semester 2, weeks 7-12
This optional module gives students an introduction to programming skills and their application in GIS and Remote Sensing. In this module, we introduce the python programming language along with basic version control using git. Using open-source python packages, we will show how many standard GIS tools can be used programmatically to automate repetitive tasks and produce repeatable analyses. We will cover more complex programming concepts and issues in the reading material, and develop practical experience through short exercises and assessments designed to ease students into the world of programming.
Please note that module content is reviewed and updated on an annual basis and the content described here is subject to minor modifications.
Entry requirements
Academic qualifications
You must hold an honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a science, or other suitable discipline, or demonstrate your ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are 18 or over at the point of enrolment;
- have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress your application. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements including competency in English (as evidenced by GCSE Grade C in English or alternative). For English competency, a degree taught in UK or Ireland covers this requirement. If your degree is from outside the UK or Ireland, please see our list of acceptable qualifications or tests.
- are available to register in person at the campus as required.
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come, first served basis. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications can not be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time (including modules to a total of 45 credits per semester - if studying part-time).
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence of having right to work and undertake training in the UK*
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else
* Holders of UK or Irish passports automatically have this right. if you hold a passport from another nation, please provide evidence of UK immigration permissions to include a ShareCode and/or BRP.
To select the correct course, in the field called Please select the subject area, select Green Skills from the drop down box. Then select Geographic Information Systems, PG Cert from the next drop down box.
