Master of Science in Applied Geographic Information Systems (MSc in Applied GIS)
Singapore, Singapore
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
SGD 51,600 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* The application period for AY26/27 (commencing August 2026) will be open from 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026.
** The price (SGD 51,600) applies to the AY25/26 intake, which commences in August 2025.
Key Summary
Introduction
The programme of Master of Science in Applied Geographic Information Systems (hereafter MSc in Applied GIS), a single-degree coursework Master’s programme hosted in the Department of Geography at NUS, is designed to reflect the cutting-edge technologies and latest developments in GIS and its applications with the reputation of NUS Geography as one of the top 10 geography departments around the world. This innovative programme provides an exciting opportunity for prospective students to study at NUS, the top university in Asia, as a pathway to a PhD or further practical career in applied GIS or related disciplines.
We offer two tracks of training (Thesis Track and Project Track). The Thesis Track includes a research thesis component, which covers thesis preparation (GE5225) and the GIS research thesis itself (GE6225). It aims to attract students with interests in applied GIS research and developing their research skills. The Project Track includes a GIS project component (GE6226). It aims to attract students who require practical GIS skills or an upgrade to their existing GIS expertise to progress their careers.
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Ideal Students
Those who currently use or who wish to use GIS and its applications to their full extent will find the programme useful. Applications cover, but certainly not limited to, spatial assessment and management of natural resources, environmental/disaster monitoring and assessment, demographic analysis, public health, forensic sciences, transportation and urban planning, and business marketing.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
MSc in Applied GIS Scholarship
There are two merit-based MSc in Applied GIS Scholarship open to successful full-time applicants who demonstrate academic excellence. The scholarships will be awarded to two applicants from ASEAN countries (excluding Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents, for whom fee rebates are available).
Each scholarship includes a 50% tuition fee waiver. No separate scholarship application is required. Applicants accepted to the programme who are interested in the scholarship may be asked to provide additional information (e.g., a personal statement).
The scholarship is subject to renewal on a semester basis. Recipients of this scholarship must obtain a GPA of at least 3.0 in semester 1 in order to continue to enjoy the 50% tuition fee waiver in semester 2.
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak
The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute will consider awarding a scholarship to successful applicants of the MSC in Applied GIS Programme offered by NUS Geography.
Students with a geography background and interests in GIS are strongly encouraged to apply for both the ISEAS scholarship and the MSc in Applied GIS Programme.
Singapore Geospatial Scholarship
The Singapore Geospatial Scholarship is a collaboration among nine public service agencies (BCA, HDB, JTC, LTA, NEA, NParks, PUB, SLA and URA) to offer local and overseas undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships in geospatial-related courses.
Students interested in GIS are encouraged to apply for both the Singapore Geospatial Scholarship and MSc in Applied GIS Programme.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the MSc in Applied GIS programme consists of core compulsory courses and elective courses. Core courses will be offered every academic year. Elective courses may not necessarily be offered in the same academic year. Courses will be arranged flexibly, with some offered in the evening. All courses carry 4 modular credits (Units), except for GE6225 (12 Units, equivalent to 3 taught courses) and GE6226 (8 Units, equivalent to 2 taught courses). The list of elective courses will be expanded as new, relevant courses become available.
Core Courses
- GE5223: Introduction to Applied GIS
- GE5226: GIS Applications
- GE5219: Spatial Programming
- GE6211: Spatial Data Science
- GE5225: Thesis Planning and Implementation
- GE6225: GIS Research Thesis
- GE6226: GIS Research Project
Elective Courses (Geography)
- GE4211: Advanced Hydrology and Water Resources Management
- GE4212: Environmental Modeling
- GE4214: Remote Sensing of Environment
- GE4240: Spatial Decision-Making
- GE4241: Spatial Health
- GE5211: Dynamic Environments
- GE5212: Cities and Global Connections
- GE5216: Geography and Social Theory
- GE5217: Research Methods in Environmental Sciences
- GE5218: Research Methods in Human Geography
- GE5227: Internet GIS
- GE5228: Spatial Big Data & Analytics
- GE5230: Geospatial Statistics and Visualization
- GE5231: Geospatial Machine Learning
- GE5880: Topics in Geography II
- GE6212: Mapping Global Economic Change
- GE6213: Tourism Geographies
- GE6221: Discussing Human-Environment Interactions
- GE6222: Transnationalism and Society: Comparative Spaces
- GE6223: Navigating the Boundaries between Science and Policy
- GE6224: Political Geography
- CCS5104: Methods and Practice in Sustainability
- CCS5201: Introduction to Climate Modelling
Elective Courses (non-Geography)
- BL5233: Data Analysis for Conservation Biology with R
- BL5323: Spatial Modelling for Environmental Sustainability
- BT4015: Geospatial Analytics
- BPS5229: Data Science for the Built Environment
- CE5310: Hydroinformatics
- CS5346: Information Visualisation
- ECA5372: Big Data Analytics & Technologies
- DEP5105: Urban Infrastructure & Mobility Systems
- ST5201: Statistical Foundations of Data Science
- ST5226: Spatial Statistics
- TP5025: Intelligent Transportation Systems