GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE

MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip

KEY INFORMATION
GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE MSC: 1 YEAR FULL-TIME, ON CAMPUS, STARTING
OCTOBER 2023

Year of entry: 2023–24

Start Date: October 2023
Duration: One year
Attendance: Two evenings a week, October to July
Full-time or Part-time: Full-time
Style of Study: On campus
Location: Central London
Status: Fully Approved
Awarding Body: University of London

View course structure and modules

APPLY NOW (HTTP://WWW.BBK.AC.UK/CGI-BIN/INT_REDIRECT.CGI?PAGE=IPP.TMSGDATS_C.1123)

GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE MSC: 2 YEARS PART-TIME, ON CAMPUS, STARTING

OCTOBER 2023

GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE (INTENSIVE) PG CERT: 1 YEAR PART-TIME, ON CAMPUS,

STARTING OCTOBER 2023

GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE PG CERT: 1 YEAR PART-TIME, ON CAMPUS, STARTING

OCTOBER 2023

GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE PG DIP: 1 YEAR FULL-TIME, ON CAMPUS, STARTING

OCTOBER 2023

GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE PG DIP: 2 YEARS PART-TIME, ON CAMPUS, STARTING

OCTOBER 2023

COURSE OVERVIEW
Birkbeck's geographic data science postgraduate course will provide you with advanced scientific and technical
training in capturing, analysing and visualising geospatial information. Thanks to increasing computing power and
wealth of digital data, we can record and store an unprecedented amount of information about the world.
Geographic information plays a crucial role in our society, contributing to planning, analysis and management in
sectors as diverse as transportation, insurance, banking, telecommunications, logistics, energy, retail, agriculture,
healthcare, urban planning and scientific research.

On this course, you will learn how to analyse and extract insights from geospatial data, uncovering the underlying
patterns and factors that can help address the big challenges we face in the twenty-first century. You will work
with real-world data on a number of domains and problems, such as simulating the dynamics of change in the
natural and built environment, identifying suitable locations for renewable energy power plants, predicting crime
hot-spots, and producing effective maps to visualise natural- and human-geography applications.
The emphasis is on enabling you to think analytically and develop new skills that have real-world applications for
your work and career. You will acquire key data science skills that are in high demand in industry and important
tools for research in the field:

Geographic information systems, such as ArcGIS and QGIS

Scientific programming in Python
Geo-statistical and modelling in R
Map-making and cartography
Big data management with spatial databases, such as SQL and NoSQL
Web mapping and development
Remote sensing and analysis of satellite imagery

We offer this course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. For the Diploma and
Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation. These are aimed at professionals and
researchers who work with, or wish to work with, geographically referenced data. They are ideal if you are
interested in studying at postgraduate level for personal or professional reasons, but don't yet want to commit to
a full MSc.
Discover the career opportunities available by taking Geographic Data Science (MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip).

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HIGHLIGHTS
Geographic data science provides technical and transferable skills in manipulating and analysing spatial data
about natural and human phenomena with cutting-edge tools and technologies.
This course equips you with geospatial skills that are in high demand according to the UK government
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demand-for-geospatial-skills-report-for-the-geospatial-
commission). 
If you are a mature or working student, Birkbeck excels at meeting your needs. This is the only research-led
MSc in geographic data science offering all teaching sessions after 6pm.
Birkbeck is a pioneer in geographic information science (GIScience) and has been teaching it at the
postgraduate level for over 30 years. Our international teaching team possesses unique expertise in specialised
areas of geographic data science, including big data analytics, remote sensing, spatial analysis and urban
simulation.
The learning resources for this course include: a virtual learning environment; educational licences to industry-
standard commercial software, such as Esri ArcGIS and IDRISI TerrSet; the Esri Training catalogue of online
interactive modules; commercial spatial datasets; online access to relevant scientific journals.

COME AND MEET US (HTTPS://WWW.BBK.AC.UK/PROSPECTIVE/OPEN-EVENINGS)

REQUEST A PROSPECTUS (HTTPS://WWW.BBK.AC.UK/PROSPECTUS-REQUEST)

CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT (HTTPS://WWW.BBK.AC.UK/DEPT-ENQUIRY-SSGE_TMSGDATS_C)

COURSE STRUCTURE
GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE MSC: 1 YEAR FULL-TIME OR 2 YEARS PART-TIME, ON
CAMPUS, STARTING OCTOBER 2023
VIEW COURSE STRUCTURE AND MODULES
 GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE (INTENSIVE) PG CERT: 1 YEAR PART-TIME, ON CAMPUS,
STARTING OCTOBER 2023
VIEW COURSE STRUCTURE AND MODULES

GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE PG CERT: 1 YEAR PART-TIME, ON CAMPUS, STARTING

OCTOBER 2023
VIEW COURSE STRUCTURE AND MODULES

GEOGRAPHIC DATA SCIENCE PG DIP: 1 YEAR FULL-TIME OR 2 YEARS PART-TIME, ON

CAMPUS, STARTING OCTOBER 2023
VIEW COURSE STRUCTURE AND MODULES

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as
described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to
matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and
offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

ENTRY FEES TEACHING CAREERS HOW TO

REQUIREMENTS AND AND APPLY
ASSESSMENT EMPLOYABILITY
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
At least a second-class honours degree (2:2) or equivalent in geography,
computer science or a cognate discipline. In some instances we will consider
professional experience in place of a degree.

Some experience of geographic information systems is desirable, but is not a

requirement.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional

qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration
positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and
experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your
application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have
completed your current qualification to start your application.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English,
the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English
Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than
6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English
courses and foundation programmes
(http://www.bbk.ac.uk/prospective/international/language-support) to help you
improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English
language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country
(http://www.bbk.ac.uk/prospective/international/entry-requirements/your-
country).

VISA REQUIREMENTS
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may
need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
 Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time
courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK
on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's
part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page
(http://www.bbk.ac.uk/prospective/international/visa).

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about
relevant requirements by country (https://www.bbk.ac.uk/international/country-
information).
CREDITS AND ACCREDITED PRIOR LEARNING (APL)
If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the
modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your
previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

VISIT THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY (HTTP://WWW.BBK.AC.UK/GEDS)

RELATED COURSES
GEOGRAPHY PG CERT, MSC, PG DIP
(HTTPS://WWW.BBK.AC.UK/COURSES/POSTGRADUATE/GEOGRAPHY)