Skip to main content
Swansea University's Homepage
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility Tools
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • 中文
  • Cymraeg
Swansea University's Homepage
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility Tools
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • 中文
  • Cymraeg
  1. Home
  2. Postgraduate
  3. Postgraduate Taught Courses
  4. School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics Postgraduate Taught Courses
  5. Geography postgraduate taught courses
  6. Environmental Drone Remote Sensing, MSc
  • Study
    • Study
      Students studying in Singleton Park campus library

      Start your journey here

      Study with us
    • Undergraduate
      • Courses
      • Accommodation
      • Clearing at Swansea
      • Parents and Guardians Guide to University
      • Open Days
      • How to Apply
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Make an Undergrad Enquiry
      • Undergraduate Prospectus
      • Register for Email Updates
    • Postgraduate
      • Taught Courses
      • Research Programmes
      • Open Days
      • How to Apply
      • Fast-track for current students
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Your University
      • Make a Postgrad Enquiry
      • Postgraduate Prospectus
      • Register for Email Updates
    • International Students
      • Courses
      • How to Apply
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Your Country Information
      • Support for International Students
      • Study Abroad & Exchange
      • English Language Training Services
      • International Pathways
      • Ask Us a Question
    • Student Life
      • Study
      • Why Swansea
      • Our Student Stories
      • Life on Campus
      • Sport
      • Sustainability - Get Involved
      • Arts and Culture
      • Swansea University Students' Union
      • Virtual Tours
      • What is Freshers?
    • Student Services
      • Library
      • CampusLife
      • Swansea Employability Academy (SEA)
      • Student Enterprise
      • Centre for Academic Success
      • Welsh on Campus
      • Student Wellbeing
      • Chat To Our Students
  • International
  • Our Research
    • Our Research
      Composition of triangles that showcases a gecko, solar panels, metallic spheres, webs, and spices

      Find out more about our world-changing research

      Research at Swansea
    • Research with us
      • Supporting your postgraduate research journey
      • Find a postgraduate research programme
      • How to apply for your Postgraduate Research programme
      • Postgraduate Researcher Development
    • Explore our research
      • Research Highlights
      • Research in the faculties
      • Momentum Magazine
      • Global Challenges Podcast Series
    • Discover our expertise
      • Find a Researcher
      • Find a research publication
      • Access our Research Expertise
    • Research Environment
      • Research Integrity: Ethics and Governance
      • Research Impact
      • Training and Development
      • Morgan Advanced Studies Institute (MASI)
    • Our Civic Mission
      • Swansea Science Festival
      • Being Human Festival
      • Oriel Science
      • A World of Welsh Copper
  • Business
    • Collaborate with us
      • Develop your projects
      • Access our consultants
      • RDI Funding opportunities
    • Recruit our Talent
      • Recruit our students and graduates
      • Meet our students
      • Advertise your job vacancies
    • Develop your Workforce
      • View our courses
    • Utilise our Commercial Services
      • Request project support
      • Advertise your organisation
      • Become a Supplier
    • Hire Our Facilities
      • Access our research facilities
      • Host an event
    • Engage with us
      • Join our collaborative network
      • Contact our engagement team
      • Keep in touch
  • Alumni
  • Your University
    • Press Office
      Female student working with steel

      Latest news and research

      Press Office
    • Your University
      • About us
      • How to Find Us
      • University Awards and Rankings
      • Our Faculties
      • Press Office
      • Job Opportunities and Working At Swansea
      • Sustainability
      • Travel to and from Campus
      • Contact Us
    • Sport
      • Get ACTIVE
      • Social Leagues
      • Club Sport
      • Performance
      • Facilities
      • Sponsorship
      • News
    • Life on Campus
      • Accommodation
      • Catering
      • Arts and Culture
      • The Great Hall
      • Taliesin
      • Taliesin Create
      • Egypt Centre
      • Our Grounds
      • Musical Opportunities
      • Virtual Tour
    • Our Faculties
      • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
      • Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science
      • Faculty of Science and Engineering
      • The College
    • Academies
      • Health and Wellbeing Academy
      • Morgan Advanced Studies Institute (MASI)
      • Swansea Employability Academy (SEA)
      • Academi Hywel Teifi
  • News and Events
  • Support & Wellbeing
  1. Home
  2. Postgraduate
  3. Postgraduate Taught Courses
  4. School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics Postgraduate Taught Courses
  5. Geography postgraduate taught courses
  6. Environmental Drone Remote Sensing, MSc

Environmental Drone Remote Sensing, MSc

Apply

Where are you applying from?

Choose Full-Time or Part-Time.

Choose which course type

Choose which start date.

  • September 2025

    Apply Now

Choose Full-Time or Part-Time.

Choose which course type

Choose which start date.

  • September 2025

    Apply Now
Keep In Touch

Key Course Details

MSc 1 Year Full Time
Mode of Study
Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents)
2:1
Location
Singleton Park Campus
Start Date Tuition Fees
Sep 2025 £ 11,150
MSc 1 Year Full Time
Mode of Study
Campus Based
Typical Offer
2:1 - More Information
Location
Singleton Park Campus
Start Date Tuition Fees
Sep 2025 £ 23,150

Remote sensing data for real world applications

Unsplash image by Alessio oggetti
  • Overview
  • More
    • Related Pages
    • Back
    • Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • Postgraduate Taught Courses coming soon
    • Open Days
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • Fees and Funding
    • Conversion Courses
    • How to Apply
    • Postgraduate Research Programmes
    • Accommodation
    • School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics Postgraduate Taught Courses
      • Biosciences postgraduate taught courses
      • Geography postgraduate taught courses
        • Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change, MSc
        • Geographic Information and Climate Change, MSc
        • MSc Environmental Drone Remote Sensing
    • School of Culture and Communication Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Health and Social Care Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Law Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Management Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Mathematics and Computer Science Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • Medical School Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Psychology Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • School of Social Sciences Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • Fast-track for current students

Course Overview

This MSc programme teaches the knowledge, skills and understanding to create and utilise high resolution remote sensing data for real world, practical applications, using sensors flown on drone platforms.

Students will gain the skills, experience and knowledge to operate a drone safely and within current Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations. This will comprise theoretical and practical flight training and assessment. This component will be taught in part by an external CAA accredited training provider and students will graduate with the additional CAA drone/UAV remote pilot competency accreditation: General Visual line of sight Certificate (GVC).

Building on these skills, students will learn the complete workflow required to capture and analyse remote sensing data from a drone platform, with a focus on environmental needs. This will include the knowledge and understanding for high quality image capture, flight design and planning, data collection and image processing.

Why Environmental Drone Remote Sensing at Swansea?

  • Top 100 in the World (Shanghai Ranking Subject Rankings 2024)
  • Top 201-250 in the World for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • 90% of our research outputs have been recognised as world-leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
  • 100% of the environment was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Your Environmental Drone Remote Sensing Experience

Our Global Environmental Modelling and Earth Observation (GEMEO) Research Group welcomes students to come and study with us.

We have a strong interest in the data-collection potential of drones, which complements our long-standing expertise in airborne and satellite remote sensing.

The Geography Department at Swansea University, based at Singleton Park Campus, is large and diverse, covering all aspects of Geography both in its teaching and research. Our research interests include glaciology, migration, social theory and urban space and environmental dynamics. Recent activity has included the tracking of the Larsen C ice shelf, identifying infected olive trees by remote imaging, and monitoring water quality after wildfires in Sydney.

Environmental Drone Remote Sensing Employment Opportunities

This is a highly practical course that will equip you with skills and expertise that is highly sought after in our contemporary world. The drone industry continues to build every year. A small selection of jobs include:

  • Remote Sensing 
  • Climate and Vegetation Modelling 
  • Drone Photographer and Filmmaker
  • Precision Agriculture Surveyor
  • Geo-spatial Data Analyst 
  • Drone 3D Modeler 
  • Power Line / Infrastructure Developer 
  • Rooftop Inspector
  • Search and Rescue Team Member 
  • Drone Flight Instructor 
  • Geographer and GIS Specialist 
  • City Planner 
  • Mapping Professional

Modules

The MSc programme will comprise of six 20-credit taught modules plus an independent research dissertation project.

Modules

Year 1 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code
Dissertation Preparation Module Academic Year0GEGM06P
Environmental Remote SensingSeptember-January (TB1)20GEGM10
Geographical Information SystemsSeptember-January (TB1)20GEGM22
Ecosystems: Ecology, Conservation & Resource ManagementJanuary-June (TB2)20BIOM32
Drone Accreditation and Remote SensingJanuary-June (TB2)20GEGM03
Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : BIOM22- Residential; Additional fee. BIOM17 - Overseas residential; Additional fee

 
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance
Advanced Techniques in Biodiversity Assessment September-January (TB1)20BIOM22
Environmental DynamicsSeptember-January (TB1)20GEGM07
Global Biodiversity Challenges in the Himalaya January-June (TB2)20BIOM17
Environmental ModellingJanuary-June (TB2)20GEGM04
Climate Change - Past, Present and FutureJanuary-June (TB2)20GEGM21

Year 2 (Level 7D)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation
Compulsory Modules
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code
Environmental Drone Remote Sensing DissertationJanuary-September (TB2+3)60GEGM06C

Entry Requirements

Normally a 2:1 degree in an approved subject.

IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component) or equivalent.

How You're Taught

Our programme is taught through a diverse blend of lectures; practical, hands-on training; seminars; computer lab work; and field trips.

Training will be given both by in-house, fully trained staff and external specialists in the field for a well-rounded, immersive education.

Assessment will include coursework such as essays, reports, and a dissertation.

There will also be exam components in some modules. Students will be supported by a Personal Tutor throughout the process.

Welsh Provision

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

  • An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
  • Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
  • The opportunity to create and submit your coursework or sit your exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
  • A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
  • One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
  • The opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
  • Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Meet Your Lecturers

Programme Lead: Dr Jacqueline Rosette

Dr Iain Robertson  

Dr Joanne Maddern

See all Geography Staff.

Tuition Fees

Start Date UK International
September 2024 £ 10,600 £ 22,050
September 2025 £ 11,150 £ 23,150

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

  • Travel to and from campus
  • Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
  • Purchase of books or texts
  • Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

  • Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
  • Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
  • Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
  • Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
  • Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • Academic writing
  • Maths and statistics
  • Critical thinking
  • Time management
  • Digital skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Note taking
  • Revision, memory and exam techniques
  • English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

How to Apply

Please apply through the University’s Application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

  • Overview
  • Related Pages
  • Back
  • Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • Postgraduate Taught Courses coming soon
  • Open Days
  • Scholarships and Bursaries
  • Fees and Funding
  • Conversion Courses
  • How to Apply
  • Postgraduate Research Programmes
  • Accommodation
  • School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • Biosciences postgraduate taught courses
    • Geography postgraduate taught courses
      • Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change, MSc
      • Geographic Information and Climate Change, MSc
      • MSc Environmental Drone Remote Sensing
  • School of Culture and Communication Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Health and Social Care Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Law Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Management Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Mathematics and Computer Science Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • Medical School Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Psychology Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • School of Social Sciences Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • Fast-track for current students
Apply

Discover your University

Take a Virtual Tour

Two students walking around campus

Postgraduate Prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus cover

Welsh Medium Study

welsh medium

Chat with a Current Student

Two students at a pc
Programme Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Faculties
  • Press
  • Health & Safety
  • Disclaimer & Copyright
  • Site Map
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Swansea University is a registered charity, No. 1138342