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Studies & Degrees in Geographical Information Systems

A geographic information system (GIS) stores, analyses and displays data that is tied to a place. The US Geological Survey (USGS) defines it as a computer system that analyses and displays geographically referenced information, using data attached to a unique location. Layers of data, such as roads, rivers, land use, population or rainfall, are combined on one map so that patterns become visible. The USGS gives a simple example: by combining farm locations, streams, elevation and rainfall, a GIS can show which streams are likely to carry a fertiliser downstream.

Studying GIS means learning both the software and the reasoning behind it. Schools teach it under several names: GIS, geographic information science, geomatics, geoinformatics or geospatial technology. Students usually learn:

  • cartography and map design
  • spatial databases and data management
  • spatial analysis and statistics
  • remote sensing: satellite images, aerial photography and LiDAR
  • satellite positioning (GPS) and field data collection
  • programming and automation, and web mapping

Qualifications and levels

GIS is rarely a first degree on its own. It is most often a certificate, a specialisation inside a geography, environmental science or engineering degree, or a master's degree.

  • Certificates and associate degrees. In the United States, community colleges offer short, practical courses. Montgomery College in Maryland, for example, has an Associate of Applied Science degree in applied geography and a Cartography/GIS certificate. Universities also run certificates for working professionals, such as the Certificate in Geographic Information Systems at the University of Washington.
  • Bachelor's degree. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cartographers and photogrammetrists typically need a bachelor's degree in cartography, geography, geomatics, surveying or a related field. Coursework in these degrees may include GIS technology and remote sensing.
  • Master's degree. In Europe, GIS is mainly taught at master's level. The Universidad de Alcalá in Spain offers the official Máster Universitario en Tecnologías de la Información Geográfica: 60 ECTS credits, one academic year full time, taught on campus in Spanish and English. Lund University in Sweden has a two-year, 120-credit master's programme in Geographical Information Science that is taught fully online in English. Utrecht University takes part in GIMA, a two-year joint Master of Science run by four Dutch universities, in full-time or part-time mode.

Entry to a master's degree requires a completed bachelor's degree. Lund asks for a bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits and advanced English. Utrecht asks for a bachelor's degree in a discipline related to geographical information or in engineering.

Where to study it

Our directory lists 23 schools that teach GIS. Seventeen are in the United States, and Canada, Spain, Argentina, Sweden, the Netherlands and France have one each. In the United States the list includes research universities, such as the University of Southern California, the University of Minnesota and the University of Colorado Denver, and community colleges, such as American River College and Bergen Community College. McGill University in Montreal is the Canadian entry and the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero the Argentinian one.

Because the work is done on a computer, several programmes are taught online or in blended form. Lund's master's programme is distance learning. GIMA combines two-week sessions on campus with 12-week periods of remote study in the first year. Fees depend on nationality in some countries: at Lund, citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland pay no tuition fees, while the full programme costs other students SEK 290,000 for the intake starting in autumn 2027.

Careers

GIS is a tool used across many sectors, so graduates work under many job titles: GIS technician, GIS analyst, cartographer, remote sensing specialist or geospatial developer. Employers include local and national government, engineering and surveying firms, utilities, environmental agencies and consultancies. Typical uses are land-use planning, transport, natural resources and emergency response.

Official US figures exist for two related occupations. Cartographers and photogrammetrists held about 14,700 jobs in 2025, 41% of them in local government. The BLS projects employment to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 900 openings a year. Surveying and mapping technicians, a group that includes GIS technicians, held about 58,800 jobs in 2025, with projected growth of 6 percent over the same period. The BLS notes that some employers of technicians prefer candidates with experience of GIS. Licensing rules for cartographers and photogrammetrists vary by state and employer.

Frequently asked questions

Is GIS a degree or a skill?

Both. Some schools offer a full degree or master's in GIS or geographic information science, but many students learn it as a certificate or as a specialisation within geography, environmental science, planning or engineering.

Can I study GIS online?

Yes. The master's programme in Geographical Information Science at Lund University, for example, is taught fully online in English, and the Dutch GIMA master's combines short campus sessions with remote study.

How long does a master's degree in GIS take?

It depends on the country. The official master's at the Universidad de Alcalá has 60 ECTS credits and takes one academic year full time. The programmes at Lund University and Utrecht University take two years.

What do I need to enter a GIS master's programme?

A completed bachelor's degree, usually in a related field, and proof of language level. Lund University requires a bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits and advanced English; check each school's own list.