Advanced Mapping, Spatial Data & GIS

This course begins on the 14 April 2027 which is when the course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 21 April 2027, 17:00-18:00 (UK time).

Week 1: Reintroducing QGIS

Week 2: Data types, data sources and coordinate reference systems

Week 3: Plugins, bug tracking and Git

Week 4: Web mapping

Week 5: Spatial analysis and modelling

Week 6: Space syntax network analysis

Week 7: Introduction to spatial statistics

Week 8: Applied spatial statistics

Week 9: Remote sensing

Week 10: Advanced symbology and cartography

Course aims

In this course, we will explore a variety of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) topics, enabling students to widen their knowledge of many facets of GIS. We’ll move beyond standard map production by introducing geodatabases, spatial statistics and automation through Python programming.

This course will enable participants to:

• Understand the benefits of geodatabases
• Analyse spatial data quantitatively using spatial statistics
• Produce professional maps building upon editing and cartographic skills
• Understand the components of a web-based GIS
• Develop basic programming skills in Python to implement spatial data analysis

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

• Critically evaluate the quality of sourced data.
• Source their own data and produce professional maps.
• Write a simple Python script and execute it in QGIS.
• Draw conclusions based on quantitative analysis of spatial data.

Level and demands

This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.

As this is an advanced course, students would ideally have had some prior exposure to and experience or working with GIS. Those who are beginners should consider taking our Introducing Mapping, Spatial Data and GIS course, then moving on to this one in future once they have mastered the basics.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.

IT requirements

Any standard web browser can be used to access course materials on our virtual learning environment, but we recommend Google Chrome. To access the virtual learning environment you will be required to verify your identity using an authenticator app on a mobile device or laptop in addition to your username and password. Full instructions will be sent to you on the start date of the course. We also recommend that students join the live webinars on Microsoft Teams using a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet due to the limited functionality of the app on these devices.

Teaching methods

This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. On the start date of the course students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Any standard web browser can be used to access these materials, but we recommend Google Chrome. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.

All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.

Assessment methods

You will be set a portfolio of up to five pieces of work to complete over the duration of the course, one or more of which might be submitted for the purposes of feedback only and will not count towards your final outcome. The other pieces will be submitted for formal assessment at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

Mr Oliver Burdekin

Through his work on tropical conservation expeditions since 2006, Oliver saw GIS to be a perfect opportunity to tie together his interests in conservation and all things map. With a background in environmental science, a masters in environment and enterprise and a post grad diploma in GIS, the launch of burdGIS was a natural progression.

Dr Varina Delrieu

Varina studied at UCL, gaining a BA in landscape archaeology, MSc in GIS and Spatial Analysis in Archaeology, and a PhD in Urban Planning / Geography where her thesis explored how GIS can support the decision-making processes related to the social impacts of mega transport projects. Her post-doctoral research as a geographer on a sociology project with Leicester & Manchester Universities explored the spatial dimensions of everyday interactions of people and their neighbourhoods in six locations in the UK using GIS and a variety of geospatial and ethnographic data. Having completed a PG Cert in Ecological Surveying at Oxford ContEd she volunteers with a river charity, mapping the impacts of a variety of interventions to improve an urban waterway.

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online course are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

See more information on CATS points

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Fees

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses

Module code: O26P855PYZ

Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page..

View our terms and conditions

Book now