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Geospatial Engineering MPhil, PhD

You’ll work with experts to produce research of an international standard. There are a variety of topics to specialise in. Topics may include geodesy, surveying, GIS or photogrammetry or remote sensing.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2025
  • January 2026
  • April 2026
On campus Postgraduate Open Day. Wednesday 5 February, 12pm to 5pm. Sign up now

Overview

The Geospatial Engineering MPhil and PhD at Newcastle University aims to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

Our research has significant relevance in non-academic settings. We often apply it through consultancy to industry. This includes:

  • the global offshore industry
  • local authorities
  • engineering and surveying companies

We are a key part of the TSB Satellite Applications Catapult North East Centre of Excellence.

Examples of MPhil and PhD supervision in our research areas include:

Satellite geodesy

  • GPS and geophysical modelling
  • GPS/GNSS geodesy
  • precise orbit determination of altimetric and geodetic satellites
  • sea level
  • ice sheet mass balance
  • satellite altimetry
  • static and temporal gravity field and reference frame analyses from dedicated satellite missions
  • SAR interferometry
  • geophysical and industrial deformation monitoring
  • geodynamics and geohazards
  • integration of GPS and INS
  • engineering geodesy

Geospatial Engineering

  • geoinformatics and advanced GIS
  • geospatial algorithm development
  • spatial modelling including network modelling, cellular automata and agent based approaches to spatial complexity
  • multimedia cartography and information delivery
  • temporal GIS
  • geospatial data management
  • airborne and satellite remote sensing applied to environmental impact assessment
  • land use, vegetation and pollution monitoring
  • Earth observation of urban systems
  • photogrammetry
  • laser scanning
  • precise non-contact dimensional control

READ MORE

Important information

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Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

How you'll learn

Your development

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

  • perform better as a researcher
  • boost your career prospects
  • broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

You’ll cover:

  • techniques for effective research
  • methods for better collaborative working
  • essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:

  • Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
  • Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:

  • they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
  • you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
  • they’re often interdisciplinary
  • your PhD may be funded

If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.

The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories. These are equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation supporting our:

  • research
  • teaching
  • contract research projects

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

  • matriculation
  • registration
  • tuition (or supervision)
  • library access
  • examination
  • re-examination
  • graduation

Find out more about:

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply


Using the application portal

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You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.


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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Postgraduate Research Administrator
School of Engineering
Email: soe.pgr.civg@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone +44 (0) 191 208 6323

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