Geospatial Engineering & Data Management Conversion - Bolton Street

What is Geospatial Engineering and Data Management?

The MSc in Geospatial Engineering and Data Management is a two-year part-time conversion programme for construction professionals, with options for exiting with Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma awards after 1 and 2 years, respectively.



The programmes primary goal is to develop highly educated, technically proficient, and market-ready graduates who can significantly contribute to the rapidly evolving field of geospatial engineering. The Geospatial Engineering and Data Management coursework aligns with advancements in measurement science technologies and includes modules on point cloud data acquisition, manipulation, modelling and data management. This solid foundation is vital for students aiming to excel in geospatial careers.



This programme is designed as a conversion course open to graduates within the Built Environment, Engineering, Geography, Environment or Computer Sciences Sectors. Graduates of related discipline areas with appropriate experience are encouraged to apply.



Year 1 of the course will focus on providing students with the essential skills and knowledge regarding geospatial engineering principles alongside practical experience with industry-standard tools and technologies. Year 2 will focus on the data management methodologies that can best utilise big data analytics to handle massive datasets, enabling real-time monitoring and dynamic Modelling of situational factors like population movement, traffic patterns, and environmental changes. In Year 2 of the course, students will also undertake an individual Capstone Experience project where the skills developed over the 2 years of their studies are utilised to solve active industry problems and challenges.



IT Requirements

Students will have access to a range of modern surveying equipment and processing software.



Professional Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the SCSI (Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland) in line with their requirements for Chartered Engineering Surveyor. The course is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors. Accreditation with both professional bodies in Ireland means the programme has achieved the regulated high professional standard and competencies in all required areas.

Module listing

Year One

Semester 1

Coordinate Operations [Mandatory]

Geographic Information Science 1 [Mandatory]

Geospatial Surveying [Mandatory]

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) [Mandatory]

Introduction to Programming [Mandatory]

GI Project Management [Elective]

Machine Learning for Engineering & Built Environment [Elective]

Spatial Databases [Elective]

Surveying Capstone Project [Elective]



Semester 2

IoT Analytics for Smart Cities & Cognitive Buildings [Mandatory]

Earth Observation [Mandatory]

Survey Data Analysis [Mandatory]

Scan to BIM [Mandatory]

Geospatial Surveying [Mandatory]

Reality Capture [Mandatory]

Advanced Data Analytics for Engineering & Built Environment [Elective]

Drone Remote Sensing [Elective]

Surveying Capstone Project [Elective]

MSc Work Placement [Elective]

Minimum Entry Requirements?

This programme is designed as a conversion course to meet the demands of students who graduate with a Built Environment or Engineering Level 8 degree who see their future in a Geospatial role within the Architecture, Construction and Engineering sector. The course will also consider applicants from Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences or Computer Science degrees that meet the entry requirements.



To be admitted to this course, students should have a minimum of a 2.2 in an honours bachelor degree in a Construction, Engineering, Architectural or Geomatics discipline (Level 8 NQAI) or equivalent. Applications from candidates who have an equivalent qualification at honours level (for example, a professional qualification) will also be considered. Prior work or industrial experience is not a pre-requisite for entry onto the course.



Applications may be considered from candidates who do not have the minimum academic requirements set out above but who do have significant relevant industry experience. In this situation, candidates will be interviewed, and Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied.



English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this programme should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Applications for full-time and some part-time postgraduate programmes commencing in September 2026 are now open. Applications for the remaining part-time programmes will open in February 2026. Please check individual course pages for application details.

2 years part-time, blended delivery.



Schedule:

One day in Bolton Street (5 hours) and one evening online (2 hours) with additional asynchronous directed and self-directed learning outside of these times. 30% of this programme will be online while 70% will be on campus in Bolton Street.

Commencement Date: September 2026

What are my career opportunities?

The geospatial sector is an indispensable national information resource, providing significant societal, economic, and environmental benefits by integrating government systems and location-based development initiatives. Geospatial engineering is crucial for measuring, storing, manipulating, and presenting geospatial data. This discipline plays a pivotal role in various applications, including surveying, mapping, geodesy, remote sensing, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).



Companies operating in these spaces serve a variety of industries, including urban planning, agriculture, environmental monitoring, telecommunications, and transport. Competent management of geospatial data is essential for the rapidly growing Digital Twin sector, enhancing efficiency in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries.



Progression

The MSc in Geospatial Engineering and Data Management provides exit award opportunities at each of its two key stages of learning to suit a varied range of learners.

These include:



• Postgraduate Certificate in Geospatial Engineering (1 Year), which is a re-skilling programme that addresses a significant market deficit for Geospatial practitioners by providing them with the ability to apply geospatial engineering principles alongside practical experience with industry-standard tools and technologies. Students can exit with this award or progress to Year 2 of TU209.



• MSc in Geospatial Engineering and Data Management/Postgraduate Diploma in Geospatial Engineering and Data Management (2 Years), which focuses on providing students with a critical understanding of data management methodologies that can best utilise to handle datasets, enabling real-time monitoring and dynamic Modelling of situational factors. In Year 2 students will also source, evaluate and recommend new theories, practices and systems appropriate to Geospatial Engineering to solve active industry problems and challenges through their 30 ECTS Surveying Capstone Project. Students that choose not to complete their Surveying Capstone Project can exit with the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Geospatial Engineering and Data Management.