Choose a geography master's degree

If you're thinking about undertaking a master's degree, here are questions to consider and details of the application process and funding opportunities for master's students. 

 

Questions to consider

When choosing a master's course, consider what you would like to be doing after the course: 

• What jobs or sectors are you interested working in? 
• What knowledge and skills do you need to make the next steps in these areas

Then think about how the courses can support you in reaching these next steps: 

• What are the particular specialities of the programmes or academics working in the department?
• Does the course offer placements or internship opportunities
• Will you have to carry out a research dissertation? Does the course provide opportunities to carry this out with external organisations? 

 

You should also think about the practicalities of the course:

• Where do you want to study? Do you want to continue at your undergraduate institution, or try somewhere new?
• How much contact time does your course offer? 
• How will you work be assessed? 
• How much will the course cost? Are there any funding opportunities? 

 

For more advice on what to consider when choosing a master's course, visit the UCAS website. 

 

Searching for courses

• Use the Graduate Prospects, Masters Compare and FindAMasters websites to search for and compare geography courses. 
• Ask you department contacts or careers service what they would recommend in your case. 
• Talk to someone in the area of work you are hoping to go into about what to study and when (sometimes a period of working in a relevant job might give you a better idea of what to specialise in). 

 

Funding 

You can now take out a student loan for postgraduate study - see this gov.uk page for details as well as other funding advice. 

Tuition fees for postgraduate courses can vary widely - most will be several thousand pounds annually for UK and EU students, and higher for international students. Some courses will offer scholarships of bursaries. This information should be shown under the course information on the university's website. 

If you already have a jo, some companies will sponsor you for part-time courses. You will usually have to make a case for your intentions for undertaking the course and how this could be of benefit to the company, 

 

Where to apply 

For most courses you will apply to the university directly, however some will be via UCAS. To check the application process, check the website details for the course. 

You can apply to as many as you want, there will likely be an application fee for each application. 

 

What to include in the application 

You will be aske to provide a personal statement outlining your motivations for taking the course, academic interests, careers aspirations and any relevant skills and experience you have gained either through study or employment. You will be asked to provide references and may be asked to provide a CV or portfolio, depending on the course.