Short Course: Principles of GIS
About
Course closed for 2025 entry
The ‘Principles of GIS’ module offers significant benefits to both the sector and learners. For the sector, it addresses the growing demand for professionals skilled in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which are crucial for urban planning, environmental management, transportation, and many other fields. By equipping learners with the ability to manage and analyse spatial data, the module enhances the sector's capacity to make data-driven decisions, leading to more efficient and sustainable practices.
For learners, this module provides a comprehensive foundation in GIS, even for those with no prior experience. The hands-on experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS package ensures that participants not only understand theoretical concepts but also gain practical skills that are highly valued in the job market. This combination of theory and practice prepares learners for a wide range of career opportunities and empowers them to contribute effectively to their chosen fields.
Start dates
Delivery format (fully online)
Typically, the course will have around 5 hours of taught content per week. Participants should expect to spend around 25 hours per week on the course. This is fully online course and on-campus attendance is not required.
Teaching, learning and assessment
This course is delivered through Blackboard, an online Virtual Learning Environment, 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.
You will be assessed by coursework only and there are no sessional examinations. Assessment involves a mixture of methods including practical reports, problem analysis, research projects, presentations, blogs, online tests, and group work.
Career options
Completing this course opens up a wide range of career opportunities in areas such as urban and regional planning, environmental analysis, transport planning, resource management, and public health. Graduates can pursue roles such as GIS Technician, GIS Analyst, Cartographer, Environmental Consultant, and Spatial Data Officer. The course provides valuable transferable skills, including spatial data analysis, map creation, and data visualisation using ESRI’s ArcGIS software, along with a strong understanding of spatial thinking and geospatial problem-solving. These skills are highly sought after across local authorities, consultancies, and private sector organisations, equipping learners to support evidence-based decision-making across multiple industries.
Academic Profile
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.
Further Information
Modules
The course comprises a single module on Principles of GIS.
Entry requirements
Academic qualifications
You must hold a degree in a science, or other suitable discipline, or demonstrate your ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.
As a normal requirement, applicants must hold an Honours degree (2:2 or above) with a substantial component of geography, environmental science, computing or other numerate discipline. Applicants with other equivalent and relevant qualifications or experience can also be considered on an individual basis.
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.
