Geographical Information Systems (Work Experience)

Geographical Information Systems are increasingly important for understanding our changing planet. On this course you’ll develop cutting-edge skills while exploring the power of GIS – for both analysing and communicating spatial data. Along the way you’ll gain real-world experience in a range of industrial and academic sectors, giving you the knowledge and skills you need to kickstart your career.

How You Learn

The course provides a balance of academic and practical content, enabling you to apply GIS to real-life scenarios. You’ll be taught by staff with a range of academic and industry experience, who apply their GIS skills to produce world-leading research.

We’ll challenge you to use GIS to understand our changing world, to find solutions, and to communicate with different audiences. Most sessions are taught through interactive practical exercises, with support provided by a tutor. You’ll also have short lectures and opportunities for group discussion and collaboration.

You learn through:

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to source a work placement for up to 12 months, where you’ll apply academic theory and your skills in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience will enhance your professional development and help you to make informed career choices after graduation. Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported to reflect on your experience and contribution to the organisation you work for. You'll also share your progress and achievements with your Placement Academic Supervisor as part of your final assessment.

Work placements are competitive and will require you to make formal applications to employers and be successful in securing an opportunity. The application process for placements takes place while you are a student with us. To support you in applying for placements, you’ll complete an additional placement preparation program that introduces you to the UK employment landscape and prepares you for the recruitment and assessment activities you will experience during that process. We also maintain a large database of placement offers that you can search to find opportunities most relevant to your course that you can apply for.

Live projects

Through the GIS Professional module or your independent project, we offer opportunities to work with industry and bodies like the British Cartographic Society. Previously this has included the Environment Agency, South Yorkshire Forest Partnership, Kew Gardens and United Utilities.

On the GIS Professional module you’ll take on work commissioned by a client organisation. Here you’ll engage with the client – giving you valuable real-world experience and problem-solving skills. Previous students have worked on projects such as analysing the Manchester bus network, conducting detailed geological mapping, and identifying new sites for local businesses.

Field trips

The course includes site visits with employers who have won awards for their innovative use of GIS.

Networking opportunities

We’ll prepare you to attend and network at a large GIS conference.

Members of the teaching team also have extensive professional experience and contacts within the GIS field. These will influence teaching and advise you on employability-based issues in tutorials.