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Courses including an element of cartography in the UK
Undergraduate :: Postgraduate
Undergraduate
This list contains courses that include an element of cartography or a closely related discipline (for example geo-visualisation, spatial data visualisation, etc.). There are other courses in geographical information systems, geomatics or allied subjects, but no element of cartography is listed in their programmes.
The term "combined honours" means studying two principal subjects and includes joint honours and major / minor options at some universities. (For courses in GIS, see Go-Geo! website. )
Many universities offer the chance to take individual modules to part-time or associate students, and it may be worth approaching the organisers of courses listed here if you are interested in taking only a particular module.
Specific course or module titles are shown in italic type. Generic topics are shown in roman type.
The three undergraduate courses which have content probably of most direct relevance to working in cartography are as follows:
University of East London
BSc Surveying & Mapping Sciences; Geographical Information Science.
Courses include surveying, mapping, GIS, digital cartography, at various levels.
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
BSc Surveying and Mapping Science
BSc Geography and Surveying and Mapping Science
BSc Geographic Information Science
Include optional modules in cartographic data handling and mapping practices.
University of Portsmouth
BSc Geographical Information Science
BSc Geography
Modules in cartography and GIS, photogrammetry, remote sensing and others in closely related areas at undergraduate level.
Postgraduate module in Cartography & the Historical Geographer.
Other courses which include modules or courses in cartography, in alphabetical order:
University of Aberdeen
MA or BSc in Geography (single or combined honours)
Courses involving mapping, including Topographic Mapping, Cartography & Geographic Visualisation, Geographical Information Systems, and Mapping & Monitoring the Environment.
Aston University
BSc in Geographical Information Systems (single or combined honours); Geographical and Environmental Systems
Includes a cartography component in Year 1.
Bath Spa University College
BSc in Geographic Information Systems (single or combined honours).
Includes Surveying and Digital Mapping module in Year 1, including map design and production.
Geography BSc. Offers an element of mapping and GIS in Year 1, and a course entitled History of Cartography in Year 3.
Canterbury Christ Church University
Geographic Information for Environmental Management
Includes Cartography in the Information Age; several courses on GIS.
University of Derby
BSc Geography
Includes course on maps & map making, remote sensing & GIS.
University of Gloucestershire
BA/ BSc Geography
Optional module on spatial data presentation in year 1.
University of Greenwich
Geography and GIS; Geology and GIS; Environmental Science and GIS (all combined honours)
Include Visualisation in GIS, and courses involving basic surveying techniques.
University of Hertfordshire
BSc in Geographical Information Sciences
Includes modules on remote sensing and GIS at Levels 2 and 3.
University of Keele
BA /BSc Geography degrees include courses in surveying, cartography and computer cartography in Level 1, and GIS courses at Levels 2 and 3.
Kingston University
BSc Geographical Information Systems (single or combined honours)
Includes aspects of map design as part of a course in Level 1, cartographic processes at Level 2 and spatial data visualisation in Level 3.
University of Manchester
BA / BSc Geography
Optional final-year course on Maps in Society.
Manchester Metropolitan University
BSc Geographical Information Science
Includes elements of visualisation of geospatial data
University of Nottingham
BA/BSc Geography
Includes first-year module entitled Modern Thematic Cartography.
University of Wales Swansea
BSc Topographic Science (combined honours); BA / BSc Geography degrees (single or combined honours)
Include Level 2 courses in Cartography and Mapping (including a project); Geographical Information Systems (including a project).
The following course is only available to military personnel:
Royal School of Military Survey
FDSc (Foundation Degree in Science) in Applied Computing (Defence Geographic Information), validated by Sheffield Hallam University. Only open to army personnel. Specialist paths include terrain analysis, GIS and cartography.
Undergraduate :: Postgraduate
Postgraduate
There are no postgraduate courses exclusively teaching cartography in the UK, but there are several in GIS or topographic sciences which are relevant to those wishing to work in cartography. We have listed here courses which include a stated element of cartography within their content, although most do not feature cartography or visualisation extensively. You are advised to contact the universities listed to find out how much cartography is featured in the courses.
Again, some universities allow the study of individual modules as well as complete courses.
Many MSc degrees are also offered at PG Diploma and Certificate level as well, the usual difference being that a Master's degree requires the completion of a dissertation.
(The best summary website for a listing of postgraduate courses in GIS is Go-Geo!. Many courses assume no prior knowledge of GIS, although a first degree in a geographically relevant subject is usually advised. )
The only course with a substantial element of cartography (map design and visualisation) is the course at Glasgow University:
University of Glasgow
MSc in Geoinformation Technology and Cartography
Aimed at those seeking a career in geographic information management or cartography, and including visualisation and map production in a GIS environment.
Other courses of relevance are:
University of Aberdeen
MSc in Applied Geospatial Technology (commencing September 2005). Cartography will form part of two modules, one on GIS and one on Geovisualization.
City University
MSc in Geographic Information Management; MSC in Geographic Information Systems
Include a module in GeoVisualization.
University of Edinburgh
MSc in Geographical Information Systems
Includes a course in geovisualisation
Kingston University
MSc in Applied Geographical Information Systems
Course has a significant component of map design and visualisation.
University of Leicester
MSc in Geographical Information Systems
Includes an element of visualisation in GIS
London University: University College
Postgraduate courses at ,a href="http://www.ge.ucl.ac.uk/courses" target="_blank">University College in Geographic Information Science, and intercollegiate courses (with Birkbeck, King's College) in photogrammetry, remote sensing and related areas.
n.b. Little cartography included, but well-recognised courses in technical areas allied to cartography.
University of Nottingham
MSc in Geographical Information Science
Includes a module on Surface Models, Derived Mapping, & Visualisation.
Two part-time or distance-learning courses which, although containing little cartographic content, may be appropriate for those seeking postgraduate qualifications in a cartographically-related area on a part-time basis.
London University: Birkbeck College
MSc in Geographical Information Science. Birkbeck is a college specialising in part-time and distance study.
UNIGIS UK
A consortium of Huddersfield, Salford and Manchester Metropolitan universities which offer a part-time / distance-learning MSc in GIS with various specialisms.
The following course is only available to military personnel:
Royal School of Military Survey
MSc in Defence Geographic Information.
Validated by Cranfield University. Open internationally to military and defence personnel. Includes module and optional projects on cartography.
Note that there are no technician-level courses in cartography currently offered in the UK.
If you find information listed here which is incorrect, or you are aware of new courses, we would like to hear about it, please Contact Us
Last updated February 2008
Undergraduate :: Postgraduate
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