Course summary
This MSc programme teaches the knowledge, skills and understanding to create and utilise high resolution remote sensing data for real world, practical applications, using sensors flown on drone platforms. Students will gain the skills, experience and knowledge to operate a drone safely and within current Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations. This will comprise theoretical and practical flight training and assessment. This component will be taught in part by an external CAA accredited training provider and students will graduate with the additional CAA drone/UAV remote pilot competency accreditation: General Visual line of sight Certificate (GVC). Building on these skills, students will learn the complete workflow required to capture and analyse remote sensing data from a drone platform, with a focus on environmental needs. This will include the knowledge and understanding for high quality image capture, flight design and planning, data collection and image processing. Why Environmental Drone Remote Sensing at Swansea? Top 201-250 in the World for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings 2024) 90% of our research outputs have been recognised as world-leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 100% of the environment was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 Your Environmental Drone Remote Sensing Experience Our Global Environmental Modelling and Earth Observation (GEMEO) Research Group welcomes students to come and study with us. We have a strong interest in the data-collection potential of drones, which complements our long-standing expertise in airborne and satellite remote sensing. The Geography Department at Swansea University, based at Singleton Park Campus, is large and diverse, covering all aspects of Geography both in its teaching and research. Our research interests include glaciology, migration, social theory and urban space and environmental dynamics. Recent activity has included the tracking of the Larsen C ice shelf, identifying infected olive trees by remote imaging, and monitoring water quality after wildfires in Sydney. Environmental Drone Remote Sensing Employment Opportunities This is a highly practical course that will equip you with skills and expertise that is highly sought after in our contemporary world. The drone industry continues to build every year. A small selection of jobs include:
- Remote Sensing
- Climate and Vegetation Modelling
- Drone Photographer and Filmmaker
- Precision Agriculture Surveyor
- Geo-spatial Data Analyst
- Drone 3D Modeler
- Power Line / Infrastructure Developer
- Rooftop Inspector
- Search and Rescue Team Member
- Drone Flight Instructor
- Geographer and GIS Specialist
- City Planner
- Mapping Professional
Assessment method
Assessment will include coursework such as essays, reports, and a dissertation. There will also be exam components in some modules. Students will be supported by an academic mentor throughout the process.
Entry requirements
Normally a 2:1 degree in an approved subject. IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component) or equivalent.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £10600 | Whole course |
Northern Ireland | £10600 | Whole course |
Scotland | £10600 | Whole course |
Wales | £10600 | Whole course |
International | £22050 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP