Overview
Geospatial sciences are essential to manage natural resources, such as:
- Water
- Forestry
- Mining
- Environmental conservation
Geospatial sciences and remote sensing skills are crucial for managing natural resources and environmental conservation.
As more geospatial data is collected and analysed, the demand for GIS specialists and remote sensing experts is expected to continue to grow (source: UK Government 2022). With the global geospatial solutions market size anticipated to reach around £1,600 billion ($2,155 billion) by 2034 (source: Precedence Research 2024), the demand for skills in geospatial sciences will rise too.
Our MSc in Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences focuses on using remote sensing to study Earth and other planets. You'll learn to apply remote sensing data for climate research. The course covers satellites, space, drones and ground-based platforms. You’ll also get training in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), data analysis and modelling.
Gain practical fieldwork experience
You can take a residential field module. You’ll learn practical skills in identification, surveying, measuring and sampling on a six-day residential field trip in the Cairngorms National Park. It's an immersive, hands-on experience across diverse habitat types. You’ll gain an awareness of up-to-date technologies available for fieldwork.
Develop advanced skills in remote sensing
On this Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences Masters degree you’ll get training in optical and passive remote sensing. You’ll learn about:
- modern earth observation satellites;
- environmental processes;
- software and methodologies;
- field and data analytics.
You'll take a specialist module on GIS to master the geo-informatics skills required in the sector. You’ll also learn to use the programming language Python for manipulating data. There’s an option to take a module in data analysis in the framework of linear modelling using the open-access R software.
Build your professional experience
This course offers valuable industry exposure through work-related assessments and insights from guest speakers across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Past speakers include:
- Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency
- FinSat
- CAVU Aerospace Ltd
You'll also have opportunities to network.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent in a numerate subject such as geosciences, geography, environmental sciences, physics, engineering, mathematics is required for entry to this course. Applicants without these formal qualifications, but with significant appropriate work, may also be considered.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The first semester will develop core theoretical, field and data analytics skills alongside learning about environmental processes. In the second semester, the focus turns to training advanced skills in optical and passive remote sensing through a wide range of applications.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
The basis of the course is research-led teaching, delivered by staff who are world-leaders in their fields. This MSc will transfer to students the knowledge and expertise gained by USTIR world-leading and ground-breaking research. Stirling provides an ideal location for studying the environment.
The following teaching and learning strategies will be followed in order to achieve the intended learning outcomes (as listed above):
- lectures
- guided reading
- field and lab classes
- assignments
- guest lectures. Guest lecturers are drawn from academia and industry giving a good view of EO and space exploration activities and careers.
- dissertation
The is an optional module on field skills in Environmental Sciences. EPLPPG1 includes some filed activities using in-situ radiometers and drones.
A diverse range of assessment methods, including coursework and written or practical examinations are used in this course.
Coursework is mainly based on relevant research carried out in the field or the laboratory, working either individually or in groups, and includes elements of literature review and research design.
Coursework may be either individually or group assessed. A final year research dissertation includes an industry-linked opportunity.
Assessments are anonymously graded wherever possible, and grading is subject to robust moderation procedures.
Fees and funding
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
As a graduate in Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences you’ll be prepared for a successful career across sectors such as:
- Environmental, heritage and resource management (e.g. agriculture, fisheries, energy, insurance, waste crime).
- Fast-growing downstream space and technology-driven industries, including government regulators, local authorities, universities and space agencies.
You’ll be able to step into any career that requires strong skills in remote sensing, spatial data analysis, big data analytics and machine learning.
Graduates often step into roles such as:
- Data Scientist
- Academic Researcher
- GIS Technician
- Geospatial Analyst
- GIS Officer
- Project Development Officer
- Remote Sensing Scientist
- Earth Observation Engineer
- Geospatial Analyst
- Scene Visualisation
On average, remote sensing scientists earn around £40,800 per year in the UK (source: Check a salary).
Graduates from the Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences MSc have gone onto roles including:
- Geographic Information Systems Analyst, SSEN Transmission
- Radar Remote Sensing Scientist, University of Stirling
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