Surveying and Spatial Sciences

Would you like to help shape the world of tomorrow? Surveyors and spatial scientists measure, map and model our world, playing a critical role in the decisions that affect our society.

Explore our courses

Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences

Learn with industry leading equipment

Use industry leading surveying and spatial sciences equipment.

Connect with industry partners

Work with industry through project-based units.

Go beyond the classroom

Use industry leading equipment in the field while exploring Tasmania's living laboratory

Explore the outdoors with surveying

Majoring in Geospatial Science, within the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences, will give you 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).

You will learn practical skills are highly relevant across disciplines such as Environmental Management, Geography, Geoscience, Computing and Information Systems, Biological Sciences, Agricultural Science, Marine Science and Antarctic Science.

Further study options

Graduates of the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences who wish to progress to registration under State and Territory legislation as practising land and cadastral surveyors will need to complete the 1-year Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying.

Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and to apply.

Visit the course page

Career opportunities

Every industry on Earth utilises Surveying and Spatial Sciences in some way. Graduates have the opportunity to pursue a range of careers, including:

  • Geospatial analyst and GIS specialist
    Conduct computer-based mapping and analysis of spatial information, resulting in efficient and effective decision making. From assessing the construction of billion-dollar tunnels under cities, projecting housing expansion over the coming decades, or evaluating climate change effects on the environment, geospatial analysts are involved in many different projects around the world.
  • Remote Sensing specialist
    Provide measurement, mapping and data analysis from drone, aircraft and satellite sensors. Map areas of the world that can’t otherwise be easily accessed or visualised, both in real-time, e.g. during bushfires and floods, and as part of ongoing planning and management.
  • Land and Engineering Surveyor
    Surveyors play an integral role in all aspects of land development, from planning and design of 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 for 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.

Careers relating to Surveying and Spatial Sciences are growing across many industries. Here are some of the top careers projected to grow in the next five years: ^

13.8%

Architects, Designers, Planners and Surveyors

Predicted job growth to 2025

8.6%

Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians

Predicted job growth to 2025

Strong

Spatial Scientist:
Future Demand

National Skills Commission - 2021 Skills Priority List (June 2021)

^ National Skills Commission five year projections from November 2020 to November 2025.

Our island is your campus

Study with us

Graduate job-ready and enter a dynamic, fast-growing industry.

50 years of Surveying and Spatial Sciences

50 years of Surveying and Spatial Sciences

Many highly respected surveyors and spatial scientists nationally and around the globe have been educated at the University of Tasmania. Hear from our graduates and academics on how  spatial science has evolved over the years, and the career opportunities that exist within this industry.