Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences [73G]

University of Tasmania graduates in surveying and spatial sciences are in high demand and find employment in a diverse range of industries and occupations. The degree has a strong technical and work–ready focus thereby providing a wide-range of local, national and international career options for students immediately upon graduation. 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.

The (optional) articulation pathway to a fourth year of study in the Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying also provides advanced knowledge and skills primarily for students wishing to continue on to registration as a Land Surveyor upon graduation.

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

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.

All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.

English Language Requirements

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0, with no individual band less than 5.5, or a PTE Academic score of 50, with no score lower than 42 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

General Entry Requirements

Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12^th year of education in Australia.

Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the “For Domestic Students” section of the entry requirements on this page.

You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:

• Completion of an equivalent AQF Certificate IV or above
• Complete or incomplete (minimum 25 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Bachelor level or higher

If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.

Course Specific Requirements

The following course specific requirements must be met to be eligible to study this degree.

To be an eligible for an offer, you must have studies or experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subject:

• Mathematics Methods (MTM415117) or equivalent

If you have not met a required pre-requisite, you will need to complete a University of Tasmania Foundation Studies Program before you start your course.

• All methods of meeting University of Tasmania English language requirements have a validity period of 2 years unless involving a country specific qualification as listed below.
• Each course offered by the University of Tasmania has a minimum English language requirement for entry as listed below. Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements for each course.
• Applicants who qualify from a University of Tasmania program, and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, may need to meet the relevant Professional Accrediting Agency's English language registration standard.
• In exceptional circumstances or cases not covered by the categories outlined below, multiple forms of evidence may be considered on a case by case basis by the Executive Director, Student Operations in consultation with the Director, Academic Quality and Standards.
• The University reserves the right to require that any applicant be required to undergo a test of English language.

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.

Postgraduate study

If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. Filter the course list by Postgraduate to view the current courses available.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences are eligible to apply for membership of the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (Australia). The SSSI also provides free student membership to current students.

The degree is internationally accredited through the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES). This accreditation ensures that the degree program meets standards set by industry and also provides free student membership of ICES for the duration of their course and graduate membership upon completion.

For registration as a Land Surveyor in Tasmania, graduates are required to complete the 3-year Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences followed by the Graduate Diploma in Land Surveying, and then undertake a period of supervised professional experience and examinations through the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board.

Students graduating with the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences and the Graduate Diploma in Land Surveying are recognised by the Malaysian Land Surveyors Board for progression to the registration processes managed by the Board as a Land Surveyor in Malaysia.

International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.

STEP 1: Choose and research your course

STEP 2: Prepare your documents

STEP 3: Lodge your application

STEP 4: Accept your offer