Course summary
Are you passionate about using data and analytics to improve cities and solve spatial problems? The MSc in Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics will help you to achieve your ambitions. Join a School ranked first in the UK for 'Geography and Environmental Studies' research (Times Higher Education analysis of REF 2021) and learn how to utilise cutting-edge tools and methods from the data science domain to analyse spatial data in order to tackle challenges spanning across various spatial scales: from neighbourhoods and cities to regions and supra-national systems. Whether your background is in Geography, Planning, or Social Sciences more broadly, or in numerate subjects such as Computer Science and Engineering, this programme will help you succeed in the dynamic field of Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics. We welcome a diverse array of students from different subject backgrounds seeking to master data science and machine-learning algorithms, GeoAI tools, and data infrastructures, and apply them to understand core theories and concepts in social and environmental sciences. You will be able to employ cartographic and geographic theory and concepts to map and model big geographic data. You will understand the main engineering principles around scientific computing and GeoAI, and use them to help tackle global challenges across disciplines. The MSc in Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics builds upon the Quantitative Spatial Science (QuSS) research group within the School of Geographical Sciences and its longstanding history and excellence in quantitative geography and spatial analysis. As a student on our MSc programmes, you’ll join a lively School and University community. We host invited speakers in weekly seminars organised by our School’s academic research groups. These friendly events are open to all students and offer you the opportunity to meet other students and leading specialists in a range of subjects. Research groups may also host social events, run specialist workshops and organise reading groups you are welcome to join. Our postgraduate social calendar is also busy, with social events and activities for members including cinema nights, writing retreats, field visits, and guided tours of cultural institutions. We also organise get-togethers for our students throughout the year to mark the major milestones in your programme and celebrate your success.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2026/msc-geographic-data-science-and-spatial-analytics.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any subject. You will also need to have achieved 60% minimum (or international equivalent) in at least one of the below modules: Applied Statistics Mathematics Machine Learning Data Mining Quantitative Geography Python or R Online courses in data science may be considered on a case by case basis. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing: - Evidence of one year's full-time work experience/internship as a GIS analyst, data scientist or experience in quantitative analytics, urban planning in relevant sectors such as industry, Government or NGOs. Experience must be within the last two years. - A relevant postgraduate qualification. Specific module requirements would still apply. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £14800 | Year 1 |
| EU | £32600 | Year 1 |
| International | £32600 | Year 1 |
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
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/
Sponsorship information
Students from developing Commonwealth countries may be eligible to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, University of Bristol Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship, and the School of Geographical Sciences Phyllis Mary Morris Bursaries. Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU