Geographical Information Systems (GIS) courses

About MA Geography in National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Description

The MA in Geography is an innovative and flexible degree programme. It offers students the opportunity to develop their understanding of human geography while also significantly enhancing their skills. It is available on both a full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 year) basis.

The MA in Geography offers a wide-ranging programme of taught modules. Compulsory modules develop competencies in human geographic thought and field methods; optional methodological modules develop skills in analysis, research and public engagement; and optional specialist modules provide the opportunity for research-led teaching and learning on a range of topics, from urban geography, digital geographies, sexuality and space, place and politics, landscape and health, electoral politics, migration, bodies and environments, spatial justice, among others (optional modules in Geography rotate every two years). Students can also take up to two elective modules in Anthropology, Media Studies and Sociology. The MA in Geography also includes an independent research thesis, to be submitted in August-September. Overall, the programme is designed to nurture independent and critical thinking from a human geography perspective.

Course Structure

The MA in Geography offers a wide-ranging programme of taught modules, delivered through lectures, seminars, fieldwork, practicals and placement, with an emphasis on research-led and research-informed teaching and learning.

Career Options

Our graduates acquire valuable research, analytical and critical, spatial thinking, ethical and professional skills. The skills learned allow our graduates to find employment in various fields, such as: administration; education; services; creative industries; and working with NGOs and local government authorities. A number of our graduates go on to pursue a PhD.

One student said she ‘would never have gotten to this stage without the [M]asters’ because the high academic standards ‘helped me to define what I’m interested in’. Another student stated that ‘My MA in Geography has allowed me to expand my knowledge of working with vulnerable groups, census data and overall aspects of Human Geography’. Our graduates note that the professional research training in the MA ‘helped me demonstrate a varied skill set when interviewing for employment’ (data engineer). Another graduate stated that the research thesis and transferrable skills from the MA were the reason she landed a senior position ‘dream’ job in local government. Three students who went on to receive fully-funded competitive PhD fellowships acknowledged that the MA provided the skills and accomplishments leading to doctoral research: ‘This is especially true about my funding which I couldn’t continue without’.

Academic qualification equivalents

• A baccalaureate degree from a recognized degree granting institution

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS   :    6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill
• TOEFL :    95 overall with a minimum of 23 in writing and 20 in each of the other skills
• PTE      :    62 overall with a minimum of 59 in each communicative skill

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