Bachelor
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
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study.
Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. This course has a Guaranteed ATAR of 65.
In 2022, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 74.90. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
Domestic applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:
Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two/four units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) including Level 100 units successfully completed in the Diploma of University Studies at UTAS. If an applicant has failed any units the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
OR
Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate IV (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Domestic applicants with work and life experience
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.
Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
Subject Prerequisites
These prerequisites apply to students from all educational backgrounds.
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:
You can enquire online for information on interstate and international equivalents to the Tasmanian senior secondary subject above. If you have not met this prerequisite, you will need to complete a UTAS foundation unit before you start your course.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
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.
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.
Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th 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:
If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.
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:
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.
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.
The Bachelor of Surveying & Spatial Sciences is an externally accredited degree.
This course is accredited by the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Land Surveyors Board.
Graduates will partially meet the requirements for entry as a candidate for registration with the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Land Surveyors Board. There are additional requirements for registration beyond the completion of the course.
For further registration requirements, please visit the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board or Malaysian Land Surveyors Board website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
The Bachelor of Surveying & Spatial Sciences is an externally accredited degree.
This course is accredited by the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Land Surveyors Board.
Graduates will partially meet the requirements for entry as a candidate for registration with the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Land Surveyors Board. There are additional requirements for registration beyond the completion of the course.
For further registration requirements, please visit the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board or Malaysian Land Surveyors Board website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
The Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences requires the completion of 300 credit points comprising:
A major is an area of focus in your degree. All students complete a Geospatial Science major as well as a set of core units.
In your Elective component you can choose from any units marked as "Student Electives" which you meet the pre-requisites for, at any level, from across the university. T
Your electives can be used to add breadth to your degree, by exploring a variety of different subject areas from within or outside the College of Sciences and Engineering. Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional units in the same discipline as your major or related fields.
You can also use this space to complete an optional second major which may be a (i) *second disciplinary major, (ii) a sustainability major, or (iii) *another major from across the institution, noting some exclusions apply. (*to enrol in a second disciplinary major, or a major outside your discipline, please contact a Student Advisor via Uconnect).
If you are starting in 2023 you can find your course planner here - this helps you plan what units to enrol in and when.
We have a team of Course Information Officers available to help you structure your studies to meet your desired outcomes. For enrolment assistance please contact us via U Connect today.