Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing
The MSc by coursework and research report in the field of Geographical Information Systems is a 1 year full-time degree.
Overview
The programme draws from the expertise of top-class scientist across the University and provides rigorous training for the next generation of GIS and RS professionals who will, by the end of the course, be able to work effectively in novel and challenging situations, and who will be capable of rising to the top of the profession. The degree also provides a pathway into further studies at doctoral level.
Who will benefit from this programme?
Students who want a comprehensive understanding of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Science and of how these guide the design, implementation and use of geospatially based systems with a particular emphasis on the acquisition, integration and analysis of data within a diverse range of disciplinary fields.
Career paths
Professionals whose work entails use and analysis of spatially referenced information are employed across a broad spectrum of agencies, institutions and organisations in the private and public sectors, including research organisations such as universities. Furthermore, the MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing provides an ideal foundation for PhD research. A wide variety of career path options are available to students getting the MSc in GIS and RS:
- Geospatial analyst
- Remote Sensing analyst
- Remote Sensing scientist and technologist
- GIS scientist and technologist
- GIS and RS software developer
- Cartographer/visualisation specialist
- Geointelligence Specialist
- Crime mapping specialist
- Sensor specialist
- Radar and sonar technician
- Agricultural forecasting and monitoring specialist
- Environmental degradation analyst
- Disaster management and mitigation specialist
- Watershed manager
- Forestry researcher
- Urbanisation monitoring and planning consultant
- Land cover and land use change researcher
- EIA consultant
- GIS support consultant
- Socio-spatial analyst
Entry Requirements
- A Bachelor of Science with Honours from Wits or another university.
- A graduate of this or another university who holds a degree in another faculty whose curriculum has ordinarily extended over not less than four academic years of full-time study.
University Application Process
- Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines.
- Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
- Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
- Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.
Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.
International students, please check this section.
For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.
University Fees and Funding
Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.
For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.