Description

Contents

Teaching is based around four five week blocks, preceded by an induction week. There is also a weekend of Field Work. Teaching takes places during the four blocks, with work on the dissertation commencing in block four and continuing over the summer.

An introductory course, of two days duration, will take place at the start of the year as part of an Induction Week. This will provide an overview of the GIS Laboratory computer systems. It is intended to provide a basic set of skills which are required for the remainder of the programme. All students are strongly recommended to attend this module regardless of previous computing experience. This component is not examinable.

Students undertake a number of key compulsory courses and choose their remaining courses from a wide range of options. Applicants should be aware that because different options are available in the four blocks, not all course combinations will be possible. This is particularly the case with courses timetabled by other Schools within the University. Successful applicants will be advised of the precise timetabling on arrival in Edinburgh.

Note also that not all the above option courses may be offered every year. The selection may be varied slightly depending on available resources and the numbers of students wishing to take a particular course.

Assessment
Within each taught course, the assessment will be based on continuous assessment (through practical work, essays and/or project) as well as one or two written examination questions. The bias is towards continuous assessment, which will form 100% of the assessment in a number of courses.

To pass the taught component overall, students must achieve an average pass mark (40%) across all courses taken, but also an average pass mark across all of the examinations taken. In addition, each core course must be passed individually. Those who achieve an overall course mark of 50% can proceed to the MSc dissertation. Students who achieve an overall pass mark between 40% and 50% will be recommended to proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma.

Having successfully completed the taught component, the award of the MSc is based on satisfactory performance in the Dissertation. However, award of a distinction requires an excellent performance in both the taught and dissertation components.

Requirements

Preferably a UK 2:1 degree or international equivalent. Consideration will be given to business / work experience in the absence of a 2:1 degree. If your first language is not English, you will be required to send evidence of satisfactory English language ability.

Evidence of proficiency in English is required to (one of..) the following levels:

* IELTS 6.5, with scores of at least 6 in each section
* TOEFL Paper 580, with scores of at least 55 in each section and 4.0 in the TWE
* TOEFL Computer 237, with scores of at least 21 in each section and 4.0 in the writing section
* TOEFL iBT 92, with at least 20 in each section

Before you enroll for your course, you will be expected to take a short English test at the Institute of Applied Language Studies in Edinburgh, unless your result is the equivalent of 7.0 or above in IELTS. The Test of English at Matriculation (TEAM) is a diagnostic one which is taken in addition to any other English result you may have. Depending on the results of this, you may be recommended or required to take further tuition in specified areas. This tuition is free of charge and is taken alongside your academic studies in the Autumn or Spring terms. Details of this will be sent to you with your admission papers.

English Language Requirements