Geographic Data Science PgCert
Birkbeck, University of London
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews of 10 graduates of Geographic Data Science PgCert and other courses in Languages and Area Studies at Birkbeck, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Languages and Area Studies .
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All Languages and Area Studies courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Salary
Salary of Graduates in CAH19
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Languages and Area Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £33500 | £18000 | £27500 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £24500 - £45000 | £9500 - £27500 | £11500 - £43000 |
All History of Art, Architecture and Design courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Salary of all UK Graduates of CAH19
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £25625 | £23693 | £27744 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £22269 - £29904 | £17937 - £29563 | £21216 - £36573 |
All CAH19 courses in the UK
Course Description
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. The Diploma and Certificate 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.
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.
- 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 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.
Careers and employability
Graduates can pursue career paths in archaeology, surveying, planning and policy, government, business and industry, in areas such as:
- cartography
- GIS analysis
- remote-sensing applications
- software development.
Possible professions include:
- geographical information systems officer
- higher education lecturer
- commercial/residential surveyor.
Jobs & Career Perspectives
15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.
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Current jobs
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Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Others in Language and Area Studies courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Geographic Data Science PgCert at Birkbeck, University of London
| 20% | Process, plant and machine operatives |
| 10% | Engineering professionals |
| 10% | Elementary occupations |
| 10% | Engineering professionals |
| 5% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
| 5% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
| 5% | Skilled trades occupations |
| 5% | Process, plant and machine operatives |
| 5% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
| 5% | Elementary occupations |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Mphil / PhD
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.
Costs
Tuition Fees Geographic Data Science PgCert
| England UK | £7600 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £7600 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £7600 | year 1 |
| Wales | £7600 | year 1 |
| International | £13220 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Average student cost of living in London
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
University Rankings
Positions of Birkbeck, University of London in top UK and global rankings.
Rankings of Birkbeck, University of London in related subject specific rankings.
Social Studies & Humanities
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-
- #27
- #151
-
- Geography
-
GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
[Published 27 October, 2023]
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-
- #25
- #151
-
- Social Sciences
-
THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
See all 17 university rankings of Birkbeck, University of London
About Birkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck, University of London (BBK) was established in 1823, and takes a different stance towards admissions than many other universities. Applicants are encouraged by BKK to apply even if they don’t possess the traditional qualifications normally required, as applications here are also considered based on an assessment of your knowledge on the subject, and any work experience you might have. Being located in the very centre of London, students will have all the advantages of the city’s public transport connections, as well as the chance to live in such a diverse and vibrant city with all that it offers.
List of 197 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birkbeck, University of London - Course Catalogue
Student composition of Birkbeck, University of London
-
Total number of students enrolled at Birkbeck, University of London by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 4800
- postgraduates:
- 2810
- Total:
- 7610
-
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Applied Computing”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
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Similar courses
| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Geographic Data Science PgCert | Birkbeck, University of London | - | - | - | £3800 | £6610 | - | London | On campus Part-time |
|
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|
|
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|
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|
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Ranking publishers
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Published:
- 19 October, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings by Subject:
- 37.4% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
37.6% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
15% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Published:
- 27 October, 2023
