Geospatial mapping and science specialist (degree)
Level 6 · DegreeConstruction and the built environment 5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist degree apprenticeship trains you to capture, process, and interpret location-based data used in infrastructure, defence, environment, and urban planning. You will work with satellite imagery, drones, LiDAR, and GIS systems to produce accurate maps and spatial datasets. Graduates typically progress into senior geospatial analyst, GIS manager, or remote sensing specialist roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Geodesy, coordinate systems, and spatial referencing
Remote sensing and satellite image analysis
GIS software for data capture and visualisation
Drone survey planning, flying, and data processing
LiDAR and photogrammetry processing workflows
Data quality assurance and accuracy standards
Communicating spatial information to non-specialist audiences
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Plan and conduct drone or satellite data collection
Process raw spatial data into usable maps and layers
Use GIS software to analyse and present location data
Check datasets for accuracy against national standards
Prepare maps and visualisations for project teams
Support planning or infrastructure projects with spatial evidence
Maintain geospatial databases and version-control datasets
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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