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Qualification type
MSc

Geographic Data Science

Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
12 months
24 months
Start date and application deadlines
Start date
September 2025
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We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.

How to apply
UK students

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There is no fee to apply for our courses.

What you'll need

As part of the application process, you'll need to submit:

  • School or college transcripts/certificates
  • University transcripts and certified translations if applicable
  • Degree certificates
  • Personal statement outlining your learning ambitions

Our application process

  1. Sign into the University of Liverpool Application Portal and start your application
  2. Submit your application
  3. We'll email you to let you know we're processing your application
  4. Track the progress of your application using the Postgraduate Application Tracker (we'll send you a link to the tracker)
  5. We'll email you when a decision has been made
  6. If you've been made an offer, you can then accept or decline it using the Postgraduate Application Tracker.

Already a University of Liverpool student?

Apply faster with the quick apply form for current University of Liverpool students.

Need help applying?

Our how to apply pages provide further information about applying online for our taught postgraduate courses.

If you are unable to apply via our online form, or need further support, please contact the postgraduate enquiries team.

International students

Apply for this course by:

There is no fee to apply for our courses. However, once you’ve been made an offer to study with us you are required to pay a fee deposit.

What you'll need

As part of the application process, you'll need to submit:

  • School or college transcripts/certificates
  • University transcripts and certified translations if applicable
  • Degree certificates
  • Evidence of English Language proficiency (EU and international applicants only)
  • Personal statement outlining your learning ambitions.

Our application process

  1. Sign into the University of Liverpool Application Portal and start your application
  2. Submit your application
  3. We'll email you to let you know we're processing your application
  4. Track the progress of your application using the Postgraduate Application Tracker (we'll send you a link to the tracker)
  5. We'll email you when a decision has been made
  6. If you've been made an offer, you can then accept or decline it using the Postgraduate Application Tracker.

Already a University of Liverpool student?

Apply faster with the quick apply form for current University of Liverpool students.

Need help applying?

We provide further information about applying online.

If you are unable to apply via our online form, or need further support, please contact the postgraduate enquiries team.
Combine this subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

  • Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
  • Choose joint or major minor subjects
  • Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
  • Same number of credits as single honours students
  • Same classes as single honours students
  • Appeal to a wide range of employers

Explore combined degrees for Geography courses
Related courses

There are five courses related to Geographic Data Science that you might be interested in.

Data Science and Analytics for Society MSc

Environment and Climate Change MSc

Environmental Sciences MSc

Researching Crisis and Change in Human Geography MA

Urban Design and Planning MCD

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About this course

This course will enable you to develop a high level understanding of quantitative and computational geographical methods. This includes skills in GIS software and statistical programming languages, such as R or Python.

Introduction

Within an applied setting, you will develop skills in the visualisation, modelling and statistical analysis of conventional and novel sources of data, ranging from censuses and social surveys through to satellite imagery and social media using both web-based and traditional techniques.

More about Geographic Data Science

Human activity is increasingly associated with the generation of large volumes of data. For example,  transactional data collated by retailers for marketing and store location purposes, administrative data assembled to help with the efficient running of public services, data shadows created through social media use, and an increased prevalence of smart-card linked transport systems record our travel behaviours.

Many grand human challenges concern problems of a geographical nature; be this how we can mitigate the human impact of climate change; ensure global food and water security; design energy systems that are resilient within the context of future population dynamics; or, how to design future cities where spatial inequities in health and wellbeing might be eradicated. The growing volumes of big data about the form, function and dynamics of human activities are providing new opportunities to advance such debates within a framework of Geographic Data Science.

Please note: We constantly review and develop our postgraduate programmes. This MSc is also available with the alternative title Geographic Data Science MSc for entry September 2025, and gives students the option to graduate with either of these two MSc titles.

Who is this course for?

This course is for you if you want to understand and analyse the role of geography in everyday life through geographical and computational reasoning.

What you'll learn

  • How the modern GIS toolkit can be integrated with Data Science tools to solve practical real-world problems
  • You’ll gain the practical ability to apply GIS in the handling and analysis of spatial data in a context of planning and social sciences
  • Research methodology, philosophy, strategy and design, and to the ethical and practical considerations associated with conducting research
  • How to analyse of social survey data, covering descriptive and inferential statistics, data visualisation, regression modelling and model diagnostics
  • A range of analytical techniques and approaches suitable for the analysis of spatial data
  • Some of the major debates of society, environment, space and place and the relationships between them.
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Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Semester one

Our compulsory modules in Geographic Data Science (GDS) will give you a comprehensive introduction to the field where GIS and Data Science intersect. You’ll cover programming with Python, the industry-leading language for GIS packages like Arc/GIS and QGIS.

You’ll also learn about the importance of GDS for social science applications through a combination of lectures, practical classes, and independent study. Another compulsory module delves into using GIS tools to create digital representations of the world, with a focus on avoiding potential problems. Our qualitative research module covers a range of methods and emphasizes the importance of careful research design.

We’ll also introduce you to analysing social survey data through descriptive and inferential statistics, using the R programming language. As for optional modules, we offer a comprehensive overview of key algorithms and approaches for Big Data problems, as well as a focus on database systems and SQL.

Please see below for semester one modules. Select the next tab to view semester two modules.

If ENVS363 or ENVS357 have been taken as part of a first degree, then ENVS563 and ENVS357 cannot be taken and need to be replaced by an additional optional module, subject to the Programme Director’s approval.

If an equivalent to ENVS609 has been taken as part of a first degree, then ENVS609 may be replaced by an additional optional module, subject to the Programme Director’s approval.

No more than five modules can be taken in one semester.

Semester two

You will learn about statistical techniques for handling spatial data and the latest debates in the discipline through seminars and essays. They will also gain knowledge of web-based map visualization and analysis, and an understanding of the importance of time and location in new forms of data.

Optional modules give you the chance to learn about biologically inspired optimization, population science theory, and digital trace data analysis. Another module explores social and spatial inequalities and their inter-relations through four themes, providing insight into government responses to these issues in the UK.

No more than five modules can be taken in one semester.