Technology

Master of Science in Geographical Information Systems

The Master of Science in Geographical Information Systems is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, and geospatial technology. The programme combines geospatial theory with practical GIS software, spatial data management, and research application.

Core areas include GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, cartography, geodatabases, photogrammetry, GPS, web GIS, spatial modelling, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, field work, and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi as MSc in Geographic Information Systems through the Department of Geospatial and Space Technology in the Faculty of Engineering, and JKUAT as MSc in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing through the Department of Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems. Both are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, geodatabase management, and web GIS. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory sessions, field work, and a supervised research project, designed to accommodate professionals from diverse backgrounds working in the GIS industry.

University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 531,500/year (KES 1,063,000 total) for MSc in Geographic Information Systems with tuition at KES 213,333-266,667/semester. JKUAT charges approximately KES 181,000/year (KES 362,000 total) for MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in geo-information, geography, engineering, environmental science, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as GIS analysts, GIS managers, remote sensing specialists, cartographers, spatial data scientists, and lecturers in GIS across government agencies, surveying firms, environmental organisations, planning departments, telecom companies, and universities.

Skills Required

GIS Software and Spatial Data Management
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Cartography and Map Design
Geodatabase Design and Management
GPS and Surveying Technology
Web GIS and Geospatial Web Services
Photogrammetry and Digital Elevation Models
Research Methods in Geospatial Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

GIS Software and Spatial Data Management
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Cartography and Map Design
Geodatabase Design and Management
GPS and Surveying Technology
Web GIS and Geospatial Web Services
Photogrammetry and Digital Elevation Models
Research Methods in Geospatial Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

ESRI GIS Certification
OGC Professional Certification

Specializations

GIS Analysis

Focuses on GIS analysis, covering spatial, overlay, network, terrain, and managing GIS analysis.

Remote Sensing

Examines remote sensing, covering satellite, aerial, image, classification, and managing remote sensing.

Cartography

Covers cartography, covering design, projection, visualisation, production, and managing cartographic output.

Geodatabase Management

Focuses on geodatabase management, covering design, storage, query, administration, and managing geodatabases.

Web GIS

Examines web GIS, covering services, APIs, cloud, mobile, and managing web GIS applications.

Spatial Modelling

Covers spatial modelling, covering interpolation, prediction, simulation, and managing spatial models.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 531,500
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

GIS Software and Spatial Data Management
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Cartography and Map Design
Geodatabase Design and Management
GPS and Surveying Technology
Web GIS and Geospatial Web Services
Photogrammetry and Digital Elevation Models
Research Methods in Geospatial Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of GIS and Spatial Data
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines GIS concepts, data models, spatial data, coordinate systems, projections, and managing GIS fundamentals.
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers satellite, aerial, sensors, resolution, image correction, classification, and managing remote sensing.
Research Methods in Geospatial Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, geospatial research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines overlay, proximity, interpolation, terrain, network, and managing spatial analysis and modelling.
Geodatabase Design and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers design, storage, query, topology, administration, and managing geodatabases.
Cartography and Geovisualisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines design, projection, generalisation, visualisation, production, and managing cartographic output.
GPS and Surveying Technology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers positioning, accuracy, correction, DGPS, RTK, surveying, and managing GPS data.
Photogrammetry and Digital Elevation Models
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines aerial, stereo, DEM, orthophoto, accuracy, and managing photogrammetry.
Web GIS and Geospatial Web Services
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers services, APIs, cloud, mobile, architecture, and managing web GIS applications.
GIS Project Design and Implementation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines project, design, implementation, management, quality, and managing GIS projects.
Advanced Spatial Modelling and Applications
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers prediction, simulation, land use, environment, urban, and managing advanced spatial modelling.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research project on a GIS topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and geospatial knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

GIS Analysis
Focuses on GIS analysis, covering spatial, overlay, network, terrain, and managing GIS analysis.
Remote Sensing
Examines remote sensing, covering satellite, aerial, image, classification, and managing remote sensing.
Cartography
Covers cartography, covering design, projection, visualisation, production, and managing cartographic output.
Geodatabase Management
Focuses on geodatabase management, covering design, storage, query, administration, and managing geodatabases.
Web GIS
Examines web GIS, covering services, APIs, cloud, mobile, and managing web GIS applications.
Spatial Modelling
Covers spatial modelling, covering interpolation, prediction, simulation, and managing spatial models.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Geographical Information Systems programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field work, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, cartography, and geodatabases. GIS sessions examine software, data, analysis, overlay, network, and managing GIS. Remote sensing sessions cover satellite, aerial, image, classification, correction, and managing remote sensing. Spatial analysis sessions cover interpolation, terrain, proximity, density, and managing spatial analysis. Cartography sessions cover design, projection, visualisation, generalisation, and managing cartographic output. Geodatabase sessions cover design, storage, query, topology, and managing geodatabases. GPS sessions cover positioning, accuracy, correction, surveying, and managing GPS data. Web GIS sessions cover services, APIs, cloud, mobile, and managing web GIS. Photogrammetry sessions cover aerial, stereo, DEM, orthophoto, and managing photogrammetry. Spatial modelling sessions cover interpolation, prediction, simulation, and managing spatial models. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS, and remote sensing software. Field work provides hands-on experience with GPS surveying, data collection, and ground truthing. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with GIS projects, spatial analysis, and map production. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in GIS and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced GIS practitioners, surveyors, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research project on a GIS topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for GIS professionals with growing applications in planning, environment, telecom, agriculture, and government.
Programme offered by two major public universities (UoN, JKUAT) with established geospatial departments.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 181,000/year (KES 362,000 total) for MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing.
Graduates are eligible for ESRI and OGC certifications, enhancing career prospects in the GIS industry.

Against it

UoN charges high fees at approximately KES 531,500/year (KES 1,063,000 total).
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme is technology-intensive, requiring computer literacy and software proficiency.
Rapidly evolving technology requires continuous learning beyond the programme.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public181k to 532k

181k at JKUAT532k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT 181,000/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com). UoN 531,500/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. RCMRD may offer training grants for geospatial professionals. ESRI may offer scholarships for GIS students. Some government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
RCMRD Training Grant
ESRI Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
RCMRD Training Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
RCMRD provides training grants for geospatial professionals in Africa.
ESRI Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
ESRI may offer scholarships for GIS students and professionals.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: UoN requires Upper Second in geo-information related field or equivalent acceptable to Senate, with past experience allowing Lower Second. JKUAT requires Upper Second from JKUAT or recognised institution, or Lower Second with proof of two years of relevant experience and professional development or academic advancement through research and publication, or a postgraduate diploma. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, and geodatabases.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory work, GIS projects, spatial analysis, field work, and demonstrating GIS skills.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research project on a GIS topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and geospatial knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc programmes in Geographic Information Systems and GIS and Remote Sensing respectively. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in geospatial science. Graduates are eligible for ESRI GIS certification and OGC professional certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc programmes in Geographic Information Systems and GIS and Remote Sensing. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in geospatial science. Graduates are eligible for ESRI GIS certification and OGC professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

GIS Analyst
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts GIS analysis, overseeing spatial data, analysis, maps, and managing GIS projects.
GIS Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages GIS operations, overseeing projects, data, staff, and managing GIS departments.
Remote Sensing Specialist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Processes remote sensing data, overseeing image, classification, analysis, and managing remote sensing.
Cartographer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Produces maps and cartographic output, overseeing design, production, and managing cartography.
Spatial Data Scientist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses spatial data, overseeing modelling, prediction, analysis, and managing spatial data science.
GIS Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches GIS at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
ArcGIS for GIS analysis and mapping, covering spatial analysis, geodatabases, cartography, and managing GIS projects.
QGIS
Software
QGIS for open-source GIS, covering analysis, mapping, plugins, and managing GIS projects.
ERDAS Imagine
Software
ERDAS Imagine for remote sensing, covering image processing, classification, and managing remote sensing.
GPS Receiver
Equipment
GPS receiver for field data collection, covering positioning, accuracy, surveying, and managing GPS data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

GIS is just about making maps.
GIS covers comprehensive spatial analysis, modelling, databases, remote sensing, and web services beyond just making maps.
Remote sensing is just about satellite images.
Remote sensing covers comprehensive satellite, aerial, image processing, classification, and analysis beyond just satellite images.
This programme is only for geographers.
GIS skills are valuable for engineers, planners, environmentalists, surveyors, and data scientists beyond just geographers.
Cartography is just about drawing maps.
Cartography covers comprehensive design, projection, visualisation, generalisation, and production beyond just drawing maps.
Geodatabases are just about storing data.
Geodatabases cover comprehensive design, storage, query, topology, and administration beyond just storing data.
Web GIS is just about online maps.
Web GIS covers comprehensive services, APIs, cloud, mobile, and architecture beyond just online maps.