MSc Geographical Information Systems

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.
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.