Overview 2020
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University of Tasmania graduates in surveying and spatial sciences are in high demand and find employment in a diverse range of industries and occupations. Many progress to careers in land, engineering and hydrographic surveying, others join teams working in areas such as environmental management, geospatial analysis and land development planning.
You’ll also be learning from the very best. The University of Tasmania is home to Australia’s top rated spatial research group* and your lecturers are world leading experts in their fields.
*Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 National Report
Course objectives
While studying the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences you will gain hands-on experience with the full range of traditional land surveying equipment as well as a wealth of modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), UAS (unmanned aerial systems), airborne and satellite remote sensing, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and laser scanning (3D point cloud processing).
Graduates will understand the scientific principles fundamental to surveying and spatial sciences and be able to apply that knowledge using current technology. They will have developed strong analysis, problem-solving and design skills, and be able to communicate with diverse audiences at a professional standard.
Graduates of the three-year Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences who wish to progress to registration under State and Territory legislation as practising land and cadastral surveyors will also need to complete the 1-year Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying.
Practical experience
Practical experience is an integral part of your University experience in the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences, and for those continuing to the Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying there is a one-semester work placement. We have a large range of units that focus on field and practical exercises, turning theory into practice to ensure you graduate with job-ready skills across a range of technologies, platforms, and environments.
Unmatched practical and field experience.
Industry-leading surveying and spatial science equipment and software is utilised in class activities from first year. Beyond the classroom, our huge range of field-based units get you out into the living laboratory of Tasmania, providing genuine environmental learning experiences using state-of-the-art surveying, laser-scanning, remote sensing and GNSS equipment. Practical experiences also extend to using specialised, industry standard software to work with real-world datasets to investigate solutions to environmental/social/agricultural problems.
Learn from the best
Amongst our award-winning staff are Australia’s best spatial scientists, producing world-leading climate change and environmental remote sensing research, and our comparatively small class sizes provide unrestricted access to their experience and connections. As a result, our graduates are sought-after around the world for their breadth and depth of knowledge across the surveying and spatial sciences discipline.
Capstone projects and industry engagement
A capstone project-based unit in the final year provides you with an opportunity to engage closely with our research programs, or to pursue an area of specialisation of your own choice.
Experienced consultant surveyors and practising geospatial professionals contribute to the design and delivery of many of our units.
Students articulating to the Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying interact very closely with experienced practitioners for the theory components of the course, and then consolidate their learning from both the undergraduate program and the Graduate Diploma program during a 20-week period of Professional Practice prior to graduation.
Study overseas at one of our partner institutions
Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.
Find out more about Student Exchange.
Work placement
Students in the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences have many exciting opportunities to participate in work placement. The University of Tasmania has consistently maintained a strong relationship with industries that utilise surveying and spatial sciences knowledge and skills, such as agriculture, earth science, and forestry, among others. Through this, many of our students are able to turn practical experience into work experience.
You may also be able to gain practical experience in industry via the Dean's Summer Research Scholarship.
Career outcomes
The University of Tasmania has taught me the academic requirements and also the practical skills to make me ‘job ready’ by the end of my degree.
Skills and knowledge in surveying and spatial sciences is a vital component of projects across an increasingly wide range of industries within both government and private enterprise including cadastral surveying, land planning and development, environmental management, civil engineering, mining and agriculture.
In March 2019, the report ‘Determining the Future Demand, Supply and skills Gap for Surveying and Geospatial Professionals 2018-2028’ forecasts a shortage of surveying and spatial scientists across Australia over the next decade. This high demand is also coupled with a forecast that those job opportunities will come with salaries well above the national average
Every industry on Earth utilises surveying and spatial sciences in some way, and graduates will therefore have the opportunity to pursue their any career that they choose, such as:
Geospatial analyst and GIS specialist
Conduct computer-based mapping and analysis of spatial information, answering ‘what if’ questions at both the small and large scale to assist with efficient and effective decision making. From assessing plausibility of constructing billion-dollar tunnels under cities, or projecting housing expansion over the coming decades, or assessing traffic congestion solutions or evaluating climate change effects on the environment geospatial analysts are involved in many different types of practical, important projects around the world.
Remote Sensing specialist
Provide measurement, mapping and data analysis from drone, aircraft and satellite sensors, mapping areas of the world that can’t otherwise be easily accessed of visualised, both in real-time e.g. during bushfires and floods, and as part of ongoing planning and management e.g. tracking climate change impacts over time, in both urban and remote settings.
Land & Engineering Surveyor
Measure and define land boundaries. Surveyors play an integral role in all aspects of land development, from planning and design of land subdivisions through to the construction of major, infrastructure, roads and buildings. Licensed Land (Cadastral) Surveyors are always in demand as they are the only people legally able to define land boundaries.
Hydrographic Surveyor
Measure and map the seafloor to inform large scale marine oriented projects, like ensuring ports and shipping lanes are accessible to facilitate global trade.
Geodesist
Utilise satellite and terrestrial data to measure and map the Earth, and to monitor regional and global changes like sea level rise, shifting ice sheets, and earthquakes.
Course structure
Entry requirements
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
Scholarships for domestic students
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.
Scholarships specific to this degree include:
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
Scholarships for international students
There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries