Environmental Drone Remote Sensing, MSc

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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.

You 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 you will graduate with the additional CAA drone/UAV remote pilot competency accreditation: General Visual line of sight Certificate (GVC).

Building on these skills, you 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 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. This programme is built on a student-centred philosophy that places you at the centre of your educational journey. Teaching is delivered to encourage independent thinking, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth to empower you to take ownership of your projects.  Experiential learning is encouraged on this course to motivate you to learn through first-hand experiences, this interactive environment allows you to feel part of a community of learners.

Environmental Drone Remote Sensing Employment Opportunities

The drone industry continues to expand every year and this is a highly practical course that will equip you with skills and expertise that is highly sought after in our contemporary world.

A selection of graduate destinations 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
  • TV, Marketing, Video Filming
  • Aerial Displays

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.