Geography

Overview

The Geography programme from Maynooth University offers a wide-ranging programme of taught modules so students can choose what classes best suit their interests and career goals. Compulsory modules in Semester 1 (GY607, GY608) develop competencies in field methods and spatial thinking. Students select forty credits of optional modules. These can include: modules in methods that develop skills in analysis, research and public engagement; optional specialist modules in Geography, including critical ecologies, Dublin’s urban geography, spatial justice, digital geographies, landscape and health, electoral politics, among others (optional modules in Geography rotate every two years); and up to twenty credits of elective modules in Anthropology, Law, Media Studies and Sociology. 

The capstone of the MA is an independent research thesis on the topic of the student’s choice, working closely with a supervisor, to be submitted in September. Overall, the programme is designed to develop critical spatial thinking, deepen specialist knowledge, and strengthen employability skills from a human geography perspective.

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. 

Students who went on to receive fully-funded competitive PhD fellowships acknowledged that the MA provided the skills and accomplishments leading to doctoral research: As one stated ‘This is especially true about my funding which I couldn’t continue without’.