The program will provide you with practical and applied GIS/Remote Sensing abilities as well as a range of academic and transferable skills that will be a benefit in many careers.
Graduates of this program may progress to doctoral study or to careers in:
• Environmental and planning consultancies
• Governmental departments and local authorities (e.g. Dublin City Council)
• State and semi-state agencies (e.g. Central Statistics Office, Environmental Protection Agency,
Marine Institute, Ordnance Survey Ireland)
• Industry (e.g. ESRI, Google)
• Think tanks, research bodies and consultancies (e.g. KPMG)
Sustainable Development Goals
This course is available through the following application route(s)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing are considered essential tools to spatially explore, analyse, visualise
and disseminate data; and these skills are increasingly highly sought after in the workplace.
The MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing will provide you with strong theoretical, conceptual and practical foundation on spatial data
analytics, covering legislative requirements and ethical considerations.
The aim of the program is to provide you with the skillset for real-world spatial exploration of social, economic and environmental patterns and interactions in support of evidence-based planning and decision-making. It will afford you the opportunity to apply acquired skills in pragmatic contextual settings.
About This Course
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
GEOG41160 | Python for GIS | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
GEOG40890 | Remote Sensing | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - *A)1 of: Final Summer Assessment |
GEOG41140 | Dissertation | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 35 |
Stage 1 Options - *A)1 of: Final Summer Assessment |
GEOG41080 | Research Project | Summer | 20 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40390 | Research Design | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40820 | GIS Principles and Applications | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40860 | Practical Environmental Assessment | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40960 | Coastal Risks | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40970 | Critical Geographies: Spatialising Power and Inequalities | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40990 | INFOMAR marine seabed data | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41000 | INFOMAR marine survey data | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41050 | Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41090 | Urban Data Analytics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41160 | Python for GIS | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
ARCH41340 | GIS, Cultural Heritage and Spatial Thinking | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40450 | Critical Geopolitics and Diplomacy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40870 | Advanced GIS Applications | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG40940 | International Urban Fieldwork | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41060 | Geostatistics and Programming for GIS | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41150 | GIS for Environmental Health | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41170 | Citizen Science | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 35CR: Option - List B |
GEOG41210 | GIS for Decision-Making | Spring | 10 |
UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.
Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
The program will provide you with practical and applied GIS/Remote Sensing abilities as well as a range of academic and transferable skills that will be a benefit in many careers.
Graduates of this program may progress to doctoral study or to careers in:
• Environmental and planning consultancies
• Governmental departments and local authorities (e.g. Dublin City Council)
• State and semi-state agencies (e.g. Central Statistics Office, Environmental Protection Agency,
Marine Institute, Ordnance Survey Ireland)
• Industry (e.g. ESRI, Google)
• Think tanks, research bodies and consultancies (e.g. KPMG)
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to GIS and Remote Sensing:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W599 GIS and Remote Sensing Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W600 GIS and Remote Sensing Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page