Hydrographic Surveying
We will be holding an Open Day on 28 March 2012. Please see this brochure for details.
The MSc in Hydrographic Surveying at University College London is taught jointly with the Port of London Authority (PLA). It is a full time twelve month programme in modern hydrographic surveying, starting in September each year.
The aim of the programme is to educate students for careers in marine surveying in its broadest sense, whether in the off-shore sector or in port, estuary, or coastal surveys. The programme is designed to give students a broad range of experience in marine survey practice, including the acquisition and processing of hydrographic data, positioning, and charting. Teaching is reinforced through extensive laboratory and field work, both on land and aboard Port of London survey vessels.
An important feature of the programme is the emphasis placed on understanding the principles that underlie the analysis and interpretation of survey data, in particular those issues that affect its quality. In addition to this strong practical element under the instruction of experienced surveyors, the particular strengths for which this course is noted include a deep study of topics such as error theory, quality control, GNSS, reference systems, electronic charting, and international boundaries. Students also have the chance to carry out an in-depth study into one particular topic as part of the individual research project, often in collaboration with industrial partners.
Accreditation
Graduates of the MSc will gain a qualification recognised internationally and nationally by several organisations: the MSc is recognised abroad as a "Category A" programme by The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and The International Cartographic Association (ICA). This is the highest level of accreditation offered, and is an internationally recognised qualification that is increasingly demanded by employers world wide. The course is also officially recognised as providing specialist training in Nautical Charting Hydrography, Hydrography to Support Port Management and Coastal Engineering, and Offshore Construction Hydrography. In addition the MSc is accredited by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a satisfactory performance on the programme will grant you an exemption from the RICS's final written examinations.
Careers
There are exceptionally good career prospects for graduates of the Hydrographic Surveying programme, and all students have so far found relevant and well paid jobs even in the recent economic downturn. Many of our graduates go on to work for offshore surveying companies - recent examples have included Fugro, Gardline, Schlumberger, Horizon and Stolt Offshore (now Acergy). This usually involves extended time aboard survey vessels, which is well paid work and generally ideal for the young and free. Others have preferred shore based jobs, or those that offer more of a mixture of time in the office and aboard survey vessels - examples of these have included GEMS Survey and Netsurvey, or port authorities such as the Port of London or Singapore and Hong Kong (who have sent their personnel on the MSc programme). Others have gone to work for equipment manufacturers such as Sonardyne or cable companies such as Alcatel (even jobs like these often involve short periods at sea or aboard exploration rigs) or for national hydrographic offices such as the UKHO or its counterpart overseas. Some of our graduates are now pursuing research careers.
Read what our recent graduates have been up to here: Student Profiles
Structure
All modules are worth 15 credits each. The dissertation is worth 60 credits. Students must pass a total of 180 credits in order to awarded an MSc.
Term 1All modules are compulsory and worth a total of 60 credits. Please note that some modules may be withdrawn due to low enrolment.
| Mapping Science Principles & Practices of Surveying |
GIS Principles & Technology Data Analysis |
All modules are compulsory and worth a total of 60 credits
| Management / Group Project Hydrographic Applications |
Positioning Ocean and Coastal Zone Management |
Professional Activities
From time to time, meetings and events of particular interest to students on the postgraduate programmes are organised by relevant professional and learned institutions based in London. Students will be notified of any such events and departmental lectures may be re-scheduled in light of activities organised by external bodies. In particular, students should familiarise themselves with the evening lecture programme given by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Field Course
A field course will be held at the A field course will be held at the end of the second term. This is designed to give practical experience of advanced techniques and technologies, and to highlight issues relating to the management of projects. It will be assessed as a component of the Management/Group Project module. These will entail additional costs of approximately £550.
Although for practical reasons the field course is assessed separately, in educational terms it is seen as forming a continuum throughout the second term along with the additional days afloat that form part of the Bathymetric Surveying and Charting module. Collectively, these practical elements are sometimes referred to as the Integrated Marine Field Course, with students taking on an increasing level of responsibility as the year progresses.
Textbooks & Journals
Recommendations on references will be given during the programme by individual lecturers. However, all students accepted onto the course are expected to purchase the RYA Manual of Seamanship by Tom Cunliffe in advance, and to have read it by the time of the first boat exercise. Basic seamanship lectures given during the course will build on this. If students are in a part of the world where this is not obtainable then copies will be available at UCL for short term loan in the first week.
MSc Brochure
A full MSc brochure is available for prospective applicants to look through. The brochure contains more details about the course content, structure, UCL and PLA staff involved and course assessment.
Download a copy here:
MSc in Hydrographic Surveying Brochure - 2010-11 (Part 1)
Application
The minimum entry requirements are a good second class honours degree in a cognate subject or related discipline, including geography, geology, civil engineering, mathematics, physics, marine biology or marine studies, from a UK university or the equivalent from an overseas institution. Extensive work experience covering related areas will be considered.
As preparation for the MSc if you are offered a place, you will be expected to revise your knowledge of mathematics (up to 'A'-Level) in certain topics such as trignometry, geometry and differential calculus if you have not studied these for some time. The most comprehensive text to use would be "Engineering Mathematics" by K.A. Stroud (6th Edition), but many other text books covering an equivalent level of mathematics are also available.
Overseas applicants will need a recognised English language qualification. Some information relating to your country and UCL can be found here. To find out if your degree is recognised by UCL please contact the Admissions Office.
Please visit the Application & Entry website for downloadable and online application forms and details of application procedure as well as information on fees, living expenses and scholarships.
Applications are accepted throughout the year but applicants are advised to apply as early as possible to ensure commencement in the following September. It takes approx 8 weeks to process an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may also help you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. Here you can find more information on the application process, including visa issues for international students, as well as more general information applicable to all our Masters courses. Visit:
http://www.cege.ucl.ac.uk/teaching/postgraduate/faqs
If you have any queries you can contact us on (+44) (0)20 7679 3524 or email cege-postgraduate-enquiries (at) cege.ucl.ac.uk
Students with Disabilities
Information for disabled applicants can be found on the website and obtained from the UCL Disability Coordinator, Marion Hingston Lamb (m.lamb (at) ucl.ac.uk, tel +44 (0)20 7679 1343).
