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A practical introductory course on working with the free and open-source geographic information system QGIS. Participants learn the fundamental concepts of GIS, integrate vector, raster, and tabular data, and use them to create clear and informative maps.
You will become familiar with the QGIS interface and its essential working areas. You will create and organise projects, incorporate different types of geospatial data, and present vector and raster layers using suitable symbology and labelling.
You will also create and edit geometries and attributes, conduct fundamental spatial queries and vector analyses, and extend QGIS with suitable plugins. Finally, you will create a professional print layout and export your map for digital or printed output.
By the end of the course, you will be able to use QGIS confidently for essential geospatial data management, mapping, editing, and spatial analysis tasks.
• Understand the fundamental principles and applications of geographic information systems
• Use the QGIS interface and project structure confidently
• Integrate vector, raster, and tabular data into projects
• Organise layers and present them cartographically
• Extend QGIS through the Plugin Manager
• Create new vector datasets and edit existing geometries
• Collect, filter, calculate, and update attributes
• Conduct fundamental spatial queries and vector analyses
• Present maps with clear labels and suitable symbology
• Create and export professional print layouts
• Fundamental GIS knowledge
• Basic confidence using Windows or a comparable operating system
• A basic understanding of maps and spatial relationships is helpful
• Previous experience with QGIS is not required
*We customize the course outline and content to your specific needs and relevant use cases.
Module 1: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• Definition and fundamental principles of a geographic information system
• Distinguishing spatial from non-spatial information
• Typical GIS applications in public administration, planning, environmental management, and infrastructure
• Maps as tools for analysis and communication
• How data, software, methods, and users work together
• Capabilities and limitations of geographic information systems
• Understanding open-source and proprietary GIS solutions
Module 2: Introduction to QGIS
• QGIS as a free and open-source desktop GIS
• Overview of essential functions and applications
• Supported operating systems and data sources
• Structure of a typical QGIS workflow
• Understanding QGIS projects and project-related settings
• Using the help system, documentation, and other information sources
• Understanding QGIS releases and long-term release versions
Module 3: The Graphical User Interface
• Introduction to menus, toolbars, and panels
• Using the map canvas and status bar
• Working with the Layers and Browser panels
• Displaying and hiding panels and toolbars
• Adapting the interface to individual working methods
• Accessing frequently used functions efficiently
• Using keyboard shortcuts and context menus
Module 4: Creating and Managing QGIS Projects
• Creating a new QGIS project
• Saving and reopening projects
• Defining the project coordinate system
• Introduction to project variables and general settings
• Distinguishing relative from absolute file paths
• Organising project files and associated datasets
• Preparing portable and shareable projects
Module 5: Geospatial Data Models and Formats
• Distinguishing vector and raster data
• Understanding point, line, and polygon features
• Geometry and attributes as components of a feature
• Understanding continuous and categorical raster data
• Comparing Shapefile, GeoPackage, and other vector formats
• Using imagery, elevation, and other raster data
• Integrating tables and text files as data sources
• Assessing the benefits and limitations of different formats
Module 6: Managing Data with the Browser
• Browsing folders, GeoPackages, and databases
• Loading datasets directly from the Browser panel
• Examining previews and data-source properties
• Saving connections to frequently used data folders
• Organising files and databases clearly
• Refreshing data sources and identifying broken paths
• Creating favourites for commonly used locations
Module 7: Working with Vector Data
• Loading vector layers from different sources
• Reviewing layer properties and data sources
• Displaying point, line, and polygon layers together
• Controlling layer order and visibility
• Organising layers into groups
• Defining scale-dependent visibility
• Zooming to layers or selected features
• Structuring vector information according to spatial and operational criteria
Module 8: Working with Raster Data
• Loading aerial imagery, scanned maps, and other raster datasets
• Checking raster properties, resolution, and extent
• Distinguishing single-band and multiband rasters
• Adjusting brightness, contrast, and transparency
• Applying colour composites and colour ramps
• Considering NoData areas
• Visualising raster and vector information together
• Selecting suitable display methods for different raster types
Module 9: Layer Symbology
• Applying a single symbol to vector layers
• Representing categories and unique values
• Displaying numerical values with graduated symbology
• Adjusting symbol size, colour, outline, and transparency
• Selecting colour ramps and classification methods
• Designing point, line, and polygon symbols
• Combining multiple symbol layers
• Saving and reusing styles
Module 10: Labels and Map Information
• Enabling labels for vector layers
• Selecting suitable label fields
• Configuring font, size, colour, and placement
• Controlling labels by scale
• Reducing conflicts and overlaps
• Using multiline and calculated labels
• Displaying map tips and feature information
• Presenting information clearly for the intended audience
Module 11: QGIS Extensions and the Plugin Manager
• Purpose and applications of QGIS plugins
• Opening the Plugin Manager and searching for extensions
• Installing, updating, and disabling plugins
• Understanding official and additional plugin repositories
• Assessing currency, compatibility, and trustworthiness
• Using plugins for data import, analysis, and cartography
• Managing faulty or unnecessary plugins
• Documenting and standardising plugin settings
Module 12: Creating New Vector Data
• Creating GeoPackage or Shapefile layers
• Defining geometry type and coordinate system
• Creating attribute fields and selecting data types
• Using field names, aliases, and descriptions
• Considering unique identifiers
• Preparing a layer for a specific collection task
• Reviewing data structures before collection begins
Module 13: Creating and Editing Vector Features
• Starting and ending an editing session
• Creating point, line, and polygon features
• Adding and modifying vertices precisely
• Moving, rotating, and reshaping features
• Splitting and merging lines or polygons
• Copying and pasting geometries
• Saving or discarding edits
• Avoiding common geometry errors
Module 14: Snapping and Accurate Editing
• Configuring snapping options for layers and projects
• Snapping to vertices, segments, and midpoints
• Defining snapping tolerances and units
• Introduction to topological editing
• Reducing overlaps and gaps
• Using construction guides and advanced digitising functions
• Creating geometries from existing features
• Reviewing edited results visually
Module 15: Working with Attribute Tables
• Opening and organising attribute tables
• Sorting, moving, and hiding columns
• Selecting and filtering records
• Creating and modifying attribute values
• Adding new fields
• Calculating values with the Field Calculator
• Creating statistical summaries
• Connecting table and map selections
Module 16: Expressions and Field Calculations
• Structure and applications of QGIS expressions
• Processing text, numerical, and date values
• Using conditions and logical operators
• Calculating geometric values such as area and length
• Deriving new attributes from existing fields
• Handling null values and incomplete information
• Saving and reusing expressions
• Reviewing calculation results
Module 17: Attribute and Spatial Selection
• Selecting features interactively
• Selecting features by attribute value
• Creating simple query expressions
• Combining several conditions
• Selecting features through spatial relationships
• Selecting by intersection, proximity, or location
• Extending, reducing, or inverting selections
• Exporting and processing selected features
Module 18: Fundamental Vector Analysis
• Introduction to the Processing Toolbox
• Creating buffers around points, lines, and polygons
• Clipping layers to a study area
• Identifying spatial intersections
• Dissolving features according to shared attributes
• Merging several vector layers
• Creating centroids and other derived geometries
• Reviewing and organising results within the project
Module 19: Projections and Coordinate Systems
• Importance of spatial reference systems
• Distinguishing geographic and projected coordinate systems
• Checking a layer’s coordinate system
• Defining the project coordinate system
• Displaying data with different spatial references together
• Identifying missing or incorrect spatial references
• Understanding the difference between assigning and transforming a coordinate system
• Selecting suitable reference systems for practical tasks
Module 20: Map Layout and Print Output
• Creating a new print layout
• Positioning a map frame within the layout
• Adding a title, legend, scale bar, and north arrow
• Including text, images, and source information
• Aligning and distributing layout elements
• Simplifying and styling legend content
• Defining the map scale and extent
• Understanding how the former Print Composer relates to the current Layout environment
Module 21: Export and Presentation
• Preparing layouts for screen and printed output
• Exporting maps as PDF, SVG, or image files
• Defining resolution and image quality
• Configuring transparency and background settings
• Introduction to georeferenced map exports
• Exporting layers and datasets into other formats
• Sharing project files and associated data
• Reviewing outputs before publication
Module 22: Practical Project – From Geospatial Data to Finished Map
• Setting up a new QGIS project
• Integrating and organising vector and raster data
• Applying effective symbology and labelling
• Creating a new vector layer
• Collecting or editing geometries and attributes
• Conducting an attribute or spatial selection
• Performing a fundamental vector analysis
• Creating and exporting a professional map layout
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