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A practical advanced course for QGIS users who want to extend their existing knowledge and work independently on more complex GIS tasks. Participants deepen their skills in geoprocessing, raster analysis, georeferencing, web services, plugins, and spatial databases.
You will learn how to translate more demanding spatial questions into structured analysis steps and apply suitable tools from the QGIS Processing Framework. You will combine vector and raster data, conduct multistage geoprocessing workflows, and check the quality of the resulting outputs.
You will also georeference maps and imagery, integrate WMS and WFS services, and manage spatial data in SpatiaLite databases. The course introduces advanced QGIS plugins and selected GRASS GIS functions available within QGIS.
By the end of the course, you will be able to plan, implement, and document more complex GIS workflows with QGIS.
• Conduct complex spatial analyses with Processing tools
• Combine multiple geoprocessing operations into complete workflows
• Visualise, process, and analyse raster data
• Georeference maps and imagery
• Select and apply advanced QGIS plugins
• Configure and use WMS and WFS services
• Manage spatial data in SpatiaLite databases
• Combine vector and raster data from different sources
• Apply selected GRASS GIS tools within QGIS
• Review, document, and map analytical results
• Fundamental practical knowledge of QGIS
• Experience with layers, attribute tables, symbology, and basic geoprocessing tools
• Basic knowledge of vector and raster data
• A fundamental understanding of projections and coordinate systems
• Previous attendance of a QGIS fundamentals course or equivalent practical experience is recommended
*We customize the course outline and content to your specific needs and relevant use cases.
Module 1: Advanced Use of the QGIS Working Environment
• Organising projects, map views, and layouts systematically
• Using catalogue, browser, and layer functions efficiently
• Applying project variables, custom properties, and settings
• Controlling data sources and layer dependencies
• Configuring relative paths for portable projects
• Accessing frequently used tools and functions efficiently
• Optimising the working environment for complex projects
Module 2: Structuring Complex GIS Questions
• Translating professional questions into spatial analysis steps
• Defining input data, parameters, intermediate outputs, and results
• Selecting suitable vector, raster, and database tools
• Recognising dependencies between processing operations
• Assessing data quality and spatial accuracy before analysis
• Documenting assumptions and analytical limitations
• Planning reproducible workflows
Module 3: Advanced Use of the Processing Framework
• Understanding the structure and providers of the Processing Toolbox
• Distinguishing native QGIS, GDAL, GRASS, and other algorithms
• Finding tools efficiently and organising favourites
• Configuring advanced input and output parameters
• Using temporary and permanent results
• Considering processing contexts and environment settings
• Reviewing logs, warnings, and error messages
Module 4: Advanced Vector Analysis
• Combining attribute and spatial selection
• Conducting spatial joins with different relationships
• Creating buffers with variable distances
• Clipping, intersecting, and uniting layers
• Applying Difference and Symmetrical Difference analyses
• Dissolving, merging, and splitting features
• Converting multipart and singlepart geometries
• Checking analytical results for completeness and plausibility
Module 5: Geometry Tools and Data Quality
• Calculating lengths, areas, perimeters, and coordinates
• Creating centroids and representative points
• Extracting vertices and densifying geometries
• Converting lines to polygons and polygons to lines
• Simplifying and smoothing geometries
• Identifying invalid or damaged geometries
• Repairing geometry errors automatically
• Conducting quality checks before and after analysis
Module 6: Statistical and Spatial Summaries
• Calculating statistical measures for attributes
• Grouping and aggregating data by category
• Determining counts, totals, averages, and extreme values
• Summarising points within polygons
• Aggregating attributes through spatial relationships
• Creating pivot and cross-tabulation tables
• Connecting statistical results with geometries
• Interpreting and visualising results
Module 7: Fundamentals and Properties of Raster Data
• Understanding raster-based geospatial information
• Examining cell size, resolution, extent, and data type
• Distinguishing continuous and categorical rasters
• Considering NoData values and masks
• Understanding single-band and multiband rasters
• Reviewing raster properties and metadata
• Displaying raster and vector information together
Module 8: Raster Display and Image Enhancement
• Using stretched and classified raster renderers
• Configuring colour ramps and class boundaries
• Adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation
• Controlling transparency and NoData areas
• Displaying multiband imagery as colour composites
• Creating hillshade and relief visualisations
• Optimising raster display for analysis and cartographic output
Module 9: Raster Processing
• Clipping raster data to a study area
• Changing raster resolution and cell size
• Transforming rasters into different coordinate systems
• Merging raster datasets and creating mosaics
• Converting and compressing raster formats
• Clipping data with vector or raster masks
• Aligning the extents and grids of several datasets
• Reviewing processing results
Module 10: Raster Analysis and Raster Calculator
• Conducting mathematical operations with raster datasets
• Applying conditional expressions in the Raster Calculator
• Reclassifying rasters and using threshold values
• Combining several criteria within an analysis
• Deriving suitability and exclusion areas
• Analysing elevation, slope, and aspect data
• Transferring raster values to point or polygon features
• Documenting analytical results clearly
Module 11: Georeferencing Maps and Imagery
• Fundamentals and applications of georeferencing
• Loading unreferenced raster data into QGIS
• Selecting suitable reference datasets and control points
• Distributing control points appropriately
• Comparing different transformation methods
• Defining the target coordinate system and resampling method
• Assessing residual errors and transformation quality
• Saving and checking georeferenced outputs
Module 12: Advanced Georeferencing Methods
• Georeferencing historical maps and scanned plans
• Managing distorted or irregular source material
• Understanding linear, polynomial, and other transformations
• Adding, correcting, or removing control points
• Checking accuracy against independent reference data
• Processing several map sheets consistently
• Documenting the limitations of positional accuracy
Module 13: Advanced Use of QGIS Plugins
• Understanding the purpose and structure of QGIS extensions
• Finding and installing plugins through the Plugin Manager
• Assessing trustworthiness, currency, and compatibility
• Applying plugins for data management, analysis, and cartography
• Configuring plugin settings and dependencies
• Managing faulty or obsolete extensions
• Integrating plugin functions into existing workflows
• Providing standardised extensions for teams
Module 14: Using Web Map Services
• Fundamentals of OGC web services
• Characteristics and uses of WMS and WMTS
• Creating service connections in QGIS
• Selecting layers, map styles, and image formats
• Considering coordinate systems and scale ranges
• Optimising display quality and performance
• Interpreting GetCapabilities information
• Using web maps as basemaps and reference information
Module 15: Using Web Feature Services
• Differences between map images and transferable features
• Configuring WFS and WFS-T connections
• Loading individual layers and feature subsets
• Applying filters and spatial extents
• Examining service attributes and geometries
• Caching or exporting data locally
• Understanding editing capabilities and access rights
• Considering performance limitations with large datasets
Module 16: Working with SpatiaLite Databases
• Benefits of a file-based spatial database
• Creating new SpatiaLite databases
• Creating spatial and attribute tables
• Defining geometry types and coordinate systems
• Importing and exporting existing data
• Managing database connections in QGIS
• Loading and editing SpatiaLite layers
• Organising tables and datasets systematically
Module 17: SQL and Spatial Queries with SpatiaLite
• Writing fundamental SQL queries
• Filtering, sorting, and aggregating information
• Joining tables through shared keys
• Introduction to spatial SQL functions
• Querying geometries through spatial relationships
• Calculating areas, lengths, and distances
• Providing query results as map layers
• Documenting and reusing SQL queries
Module 18: Introduction to GRASS GIS within QGIS
• Purpose and characteristics of GRASS GIS
• Calling GRASS tools through the Processing Framework
• Selecting appropriate vector and raster algorithms
• Considering data requirements and computational regions
• Applying topological tools to vector data
• Conducting raster and terrain analysis
• Reusing the results in QGIS
• Comparing GRASS tools with native QGIS alternatives
Module 19: Automation with the Graphical Modeler
• Representing multistage analyses as models
• Defining input parameters and output layers
• Connecting Processing tools and data flows
• Managing temporary intermediate results
• Using dynamic values and expressions
• Saving, testing, and rerunning models
• Providing models to other users
• Developing reproducible analysis processes
Module 20: Quality Assurance and Troubleshooting
• Investigating empty or unexpected results
• Identifying projection and alignment errors
• Examining geometry and attribute-field problems
• Checking raster extent, resolution, and NoData values
• Identifying network and access problems with web services
• Reviewing individual processing stages
• Using reference data and samples for plausibility checks
• Documenting errors and corrections
Module 21: Cartographic Presentation of Results
• Applying effective symbology to analytical results
• Selecting suitable classifications and colour ramps
• Displaying raster and vector outputs together
• Using labels and charts
• Simplifying legends and map content
• Creating professional map layouts
• Exporting results as PDF or image files
• Preparing maps for different audiences
Module 22: Practical Project – A Complex QGIS Workflow
• Defining a more demanding spatial question
• Compiling vector, raster, and web data
• Checking and preparing input datasets
• Conducting several geoprocessing and analysis operations
• Georeferencing a map or plan
• Organising data within a SpatiaLite database
• Applying selected plugin or GRASS functionality
• Reviewing, mapping, and documenting the results
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