MSc Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics
- MSc
Overview
Are you passionate about using data and analytics to improve cities and solve spatial problems? The MSc in Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics will help you to achieve your ambitions. Join a School ranked first in the UK for 'Geography and Environmental Studies' research (Times Higher Education analysis of REF 2021) and learn how to utilise cutting-edge tools and methods from the data science domain to analyse spatial data in order to tackle challenges spanning across various spatial scales: from neighbourhoods and cities to regions and supra-national systems.
Whether your background is in Geography, Planning, or Social Sciences more broadly, or in numerate subjects such as Computer Science and Engineering, this programme will help you succeed in the dynamic field of Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics.
We welcome a diverse array of students from different subject backgrounds seeking to master data science and machine-learning algorithms, GeoAI tools, and data infrastructures, and apply them to understand core theories and concepts in social and environmental sciences. You will be able to employ cartographic and geographic theory and concepts to map and model big geographic data. You will understand the main engineering principles around scientific computing and GeoAI, and use them to help tackle global challenges across disciplines.
The MSc in Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics builds upon the Quantitative Spatial Science (QuSS) research group within the School of Geographical Sciences and its longstanding history and excellence in quantitative geography and spatial analysis.
As a student on our MSc programmes, you’ll join a lively School and University community. We host invited speakers in weekly seminars organised by our School’s academic research groups. These friendly events are open to all students and offer you the opportunity to meet other students and leading specialists in a range of subjects. Research groups may also host social events, run specialist workshops and organise reading groups you are welcome to join.
Our postgraduate social calendar is also busy, with social events and activities for members including cinema nights, writing retreats, field visits, and guided tours of cultural institutions. We also organise get-togethers for our students throughout the year to mark the major milestones in your programme and celebrate your success.
Programme structure
The programme structure of MSc in Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics follows the data science workflow from data collection and access to data analysis and visualisation.
The programme teaches students core skills and knowledge of AI methods, machine learning models, and geographic theories, with a focus on geospatial applications, including city science, policymaking, and environmental management. It aims to train the next generation of geographic data scientists who can responsibly use and develop a wide range of methods and tools to tackle pressing societal and environmental challenges.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any subject. You will also need to have achieved 60% minimum (or international equivalent) in at least one of the below modules:
- Applied Statistics
- Mathematics
- Machine Learning
- Data Mining
- Quantitative Geography
- Python or R
- Online courses in data science may be considered on a case by case basis.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- evidence of relevant work experience as a GIS analyst, data scientist or experience in quantitative analytics, urban planning in relevant sectors such as industry, Government or NGOs
- a relevant postgraduate qualification in data science, geography, urban studies, rural development or regional studies.
Specific module requirements would still apply.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £14,800 per year
- Home: part-time
- £7,400 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £32,600 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Depending on eligibility, applicants may be able to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, University of Bristol Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship, Bristol Master's Scholarship, or the School of Geographical Sciences' own Phyllis Mary Morris Bursaries.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
An MSc from Bristol greatly enhances your employment prospects.
This MSc provides graduates with the skills needed for successful careers as data scientists and data consultants in the private and public sectors. Students have gone on to work in consultancy and in technology and engineering companies, as well as governmental and third sector/non-profit organisations. Many of our top graduate continue in research institutes and think-tanks or pursue further study through a PhD.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
- Contact
- Dr Rui Zhu, Programme Director
- rui.zhu@bristol.ac.uk