Wananga Landing
Micro-credential

GIS for Mapping Course

04 October 2024

Visualise spatial data to create dynamic, data-driven maps and unlock endless possibilities with GIS for Mapping.

HOW TO APPLY

Price

Domestic learners

$316 NZD incl GST where applicable

International learners

$1,421 NZD incl GST where applicable

Qualification

Domestic learners: Micro-credential, 5 points at NZQF Level 5

International learners: Continuous professional development

Duration

50 hours over 9 weeks*

*Around 6 hours of study per week, with a one-week study break

Entry times

2 February - 5 April 2026
27 April - 28 June 2026
13 July - 13 September 2026
28 September - 29 November 2026

Enrolments open for February

Stay updated

Overview


Bring your data to life using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Developed by Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora | GeoHealth Laboratory.

We are awash with data. People, places, things – but how do we make sense of it all? If a picture tells a thousand words, a map is made up of a thousand pictures unlocking trends and issues, sparking curiosity, and providing insight. 

This course aims to not only inspire you with those possibilities, but also to teach you the skills to do it yourself. Using geographic information systems or GIS, you will be able to learn how you can represent all sorts of data in multiple ways. Using maps as well as freely available data sets and software you can unleash the power of information to gain new insights. 
  
This course requires no prior experience, just your curiosity (and a little bit of hard work and persistence)! It is for people who are interested in learning about GIS mapping and the exciting opportunities for understanding what it offers.  
 
The course includes explanations of key concepts and the practical application of these concepts with a number of software training exercises. As health, wellbeing and environment are very relevant issues in people’s lives it uses a number of examples in those fields to help you understand the process of using GIS software in an effective and useful way.

This course is ideal for

  • Anyone requiring a basic understanding of GIS for their work
  • Business, industry, and policy analysts, and researchers
  • Property developers and distributors
  • Data scientists and marketers

What you'll learn
 

  • Confidence using the basic principles of spatial data.
  • Knowledge in sourcing, compiling and formatting data that benefits your work or research.
  • How to use GIS software (QGIS) to manipulate, classify and visualise. data, creating custom maps that provide relevant and intelligent data insights.

Through this course, you'll acquire practical map-making skills that will let you visual and interpret data relevant to your line of work.

Testimonials

How it works

 

GIS for Mapping is flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments – provided you meet assessment deadlines. You can choose to study online when it suits you during the nine-week learning period, with a one-week study break in the middle of your course to take a break, or catch up. 

We recommend completing around 6 hours of study a week during the learning period (excluding the study break). After the course ends, there will be a two-week period for marking and feedback.

Nervous about studying online?
You'll start your course with an optional UC Online Essentials course, giving you a chance to get familiar with the learning management system (LMS). Learn more about how online study with us really works.

Online, not alone
Study anywhere, feel supported everywhere. Our courses have been designed to enable a cohort community so you can learn and grow from each other's experience. We also have a facilitator for this course who is there to offer support as you work through your learning, in addition to our Enrolment Support and Learner Support teams.

Qualification
This is a standalone micro-credential course that recognises the achievement of specific skills, experience, or knowledge. 

Recognition
Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded five academic points at NZQF Level 5, and issued a digital badge to recognise your learning achievements. This can take up to 2 months to be delivered after the marking and feedback period.  

Course outline


The course is divided into four modules that you'll work your way through over the nine weeks of learning. Each module includes specific learning objectives, educational content across a range of media, activities to apply what you've learnt, plus a 'temperature check' survey to make sure you're getting what you need as a learner.

Module 1: What is spatial data?
Get a handle on the basics of spatial data and how it can benefit your work, including examples of how experts in various fields use GIS in their work.

Module 2: Where is spatial data?
Learn where to source data, best practices for compiling datasets and the use of coordinate reference systems.

Module 3: What do you do with spatial data?
Become confident using QGIS (an open-access software you can continue using after the course), learning to visualise your data and including the essential features your map should have.

Module 4: How do you classify and visualise spatial data?
Learn to combine, analyse, and summarise your data, before bringing your new skills together for a map-making assignment.

Assessments

  • 4 Module Quizzes = 20% (5% each)
  • 3 Discussion Forums = 30% (10% each)
  • 1 Map Assignment = 40%
  • 1 Reflection = 10%

Your course total grade is calculated based on the weighting of each assessment. To pass the course you need a course total of over 50 out of 100. You may attempt each assessment up to two times. You do not need a passing grade for every single assessment, but you do need to engage with/complete all assessments.

Ready to start learning?

Enrol now for February, or sign up for enrolment updates.

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Requirements


If you're under 20 years old, you’ll need University Entrance or an equivalent to enrol. If you’re aged 20 or older, you can usually gain entry through 20+ admission so long as: 

  • You are a citizen or hold a NZ Residence Class Visa of New Zealand or Australia, or are a citizen of the Cook Islands, Tokelau, or Niue; and 
  • Are 20 years of age or older by the official course start date.

You'll also need to be confident listening, reading and writing in English.

Technology requirements 

  • You'll need a laptop or desktop computer (rather than a phone) and a reliable internet connection to use the QGIS software installed as part of the course. 
  • You will need to be able to download and install QGIS and we recommend you have the following:
    • RAM – 8GB of RAM or higher is recommended for using QGIS and avoiding system crashes.
    • CPU Speed – higher than 1.9 GHz is recommended, although not required. QGIS might run slow at lower levels.
    • Hard Drive Storage – This is dependent on your datasets, but 1GB or more of storage would provide ample space. (ASOR, n.d.)
    • For Mac users, macOS High Sierra (10.13) or newer is required. (QGIS software, n.d.) 
  • A PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC) to download PDFs with assessment instructions.
  • Word processing software (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs) to complete your assignments.

Please note: this course was designed around QGIS versions 3.28 and 3.2.2. If other versions are used in the completion of the course, interaction with the software may differ from the instructions in the course.

Accessibility
While Tuihono UC | UC Online has accessibility at the heart of its course design, this course uses an external software, QGIS, which has limited support for low vision and blind users – you can review their software and documentation here.

Course fees
Course fees must be paid before learning can begin, either via online credit-card payment, or by contacting info@uconline.ac.nz to request an invoice. Please note: fixed invoice payment dates apply, so we recommend getting in touch with us as soon as possible to request an invoice, as this option is subject to availability.

Withdrawals and refunds
Once learning begins, you are eligible for a withdrawal with refund up until the end of week 2. After this date, refunds may be available if your circumstances are exceptional, for example if you've experienced a serious medical event.

Cap & minimum enrolment threshold
A minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund.

Crediting this course towards a degree
In certain cases the points from this course can be credited towards further study with UC. Learn more about cross-crediting and recognition of prior learning.

Our people

Headshot of Dr Matthew Hobbs, Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Canterbury.
Dr Matthew Hobbs
Adjunct Associate Professor, Faculty of Health, University of Canterbury

Matt is an Associate Professor and Transforming Lives Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, and an Adjunct Associate Professor with the University of Canterbury's Faculty of Health. His background is in the field of public health and GIS, with his PhD investigating how built and natural environments were related to our dietary behaviours, exercise and subsequent risk of obesity. He completed postdoctoral training with the New Zealand Ministry of Health, providing spatial expertise to their public health teams across a range of public health topics including immunisation, water fluoridation and the relationship between liquor stores and crime.

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Headshot of Dr Lukas Marek, spatial data scientist and Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Canterbury.
Dr Lukas Marek
Senior Spatial Data Scientist, Geospatial Research Institute, University of Canterbury

Lukas is a spatial data scientist who applies his knowledge of spatial analyses, maps and geography across health and wellbeing challenges. He studied GIS and cartography throughout university and has collaborated on various projects ranging from archaeology and crowdsourcing, to landslide monitoring and forestry. He is passionate about creating graphs, maps and geovisualisations to communicate the results of research to the public.

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Headshot of Dr Malcolm Campbell, Human Geographer and Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury.
Professor Malcolm Campbell
Professor, School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury

Malcom is a Human Geographer focused on health geography and GIS. He often uses numbers and maps to help analyse patterns of health and wellbeing in combination with environmental or social data to understand how the places where we live, work and play impact our health and wellbeing. He’s particularly interested in spatial data from mobile phones and devices, which allow us to access a wealth of data about daily movement patterns through our everyday environments.

Read more

Please note: our academic team develop and present video content within their courses, but are not always the course facilitator. The course facilitator will engage with learners in the course forums, answer queries and mark assignments. 

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