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QGIS Desktop GIS Mapping

Introduction to QGIS

Master the fundamentals of desktop GIS using QGIS, the world's leading open source geographic information system. Hands-on, practitioner-taught, and immediately applicable to your real-world mapping and analysis needs.

3 Days
In-person/Online
Accredited QGIS Certificate Included
Introduction to QGIS
Expert Instructors
Hands-on Learning
Course Materials
Post-Course Support
On-site: 7+ people

Course Overview

This comprehensive introductory course provides participants with a solid foundation in desktop GIS concepts and practices using QGIS. Participants will learn how to create, edit,analyse, and visualise spatial data through hands-on exercises and real-world examples.

The course covers essential GIS workflows including data acquisition, layer management, coordinate reference systems, spatial analysis, and map production. By the end of the course, participants will be confident in using QGIS for their day-to-day mapping and spatial analysis needs.

What You Will Learn

Installing and navigating the QGIS interface

Understanding and managing coordinate reference systems and projections

Styling and symbolising maps for effective visualisation.

Using the field calculator and expressions.

Installing and using QGIS plugins.

Working with vector and raster data formats.

Creating and editing spatial data.

Performing basic spatial analysis and geoprocessing operations.

Creating print-ready maps with the layout manager.

Best practices for data organisation and project management.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for

✔ GIS beginners with no prior experience

✔ Professionals transitioning from proprietary GIS software

✔ Researchers and academics working with spatial data

✔ Environmental consultants and urban planners

✔ NGO staff and government employees

✔ Anyone who needs to work with geographic data

No prior GIS experience is required, though basic computer literacy is expected.

Prerequisites

  • Basic computer skills
  • Interest in working with maps and spatial data
  • Laptop with QGIS installed (we can help with installation)

What You Receive

Comprehensive course workbook

Illustrated step-by-step exercises for every module

Sample datasets for exercises

Real spatial data used throughout the course

Quick reference guides

Keep these open while you work in QGIS

QGIS Certificate & Certificate of Completion

Accredited QGIS Certificate, issued by the QGIS organisation and certificate of completion issued by Kartoza GIS Academy

30-day post-course email support

Questions answered by your trainer after the course

Free and open source tools only

QGIS is free — no software licence costs ever


What Participants Say

CGC.Geldenhuys★★★★
Good course, knowledgeable presenter.
MMireille★★★★★
I had a great time at the course.I got a lot of useful information from the presenter about how to use the software.

Why Train with Kartoza?

Open Source Contributors

Our trainers contribute code to PostGIS, QGIS, and GeoServer. We teach from deep, real-world project expertise.

Tailored for Your Team

On-site sessions can be customised around your organisation's data, systems, and database environment.

Practical from Day One

No death-by-slides. Every topic is covered through exercises using real spatial data from the first session.

Africa & Beyond

We have trained GIS and database professionals across Africa, Europe, and internationally, from Cape Town to Lisbon.