Overview

Research may be in any area of social, urban, environmental, development, political, economic, historical or cultural geography that is supported by the Human Geography Research Group. It is co-delivered with the University’s Graduate School of Social Science.

The programme can stand alone as a masters degree, or form the first year of a ‘1+3’ ESRC-backed PhD programme.

Students who successfully complete this programme will:

acquire transferable skills relevant to advanced researchers

develop skills in data acquisition and analysis

understand wider methodological and epistemological debates relevant to their research

We offer a balance between general and specialist research training. The programme combines lectures, practical work, workshops, essays, seminars and one-to-one supervision of independent research leading to delivery of a dissertation.

Independent research

The emphasis on independent research allows you to work closely with scholars at the cutting edge in order to advance your own research passions. A highlight of the programme is the postgraduate conference where you present your research to colleagues.

The University of Edinburgh has an unbroken record of teaching and research in the earth sciences going back to 1770, when Robert Ramsay became the first Professor of Natural History.

James Hutton and Arthur Holmes were prominent among those who set an academic tradition in Edinburgh that continues today with the University achieving top ratings in earth sciences teaching and research.

Programme Structure

Compulsory courses:

Research Design in Human Geography

Methodological Debates in Human Geography

Core Quantitative Data Analysis 1 and 2

Research Skills in the Social Sciences: Data Collection

Dissertation in Human Geography

In consultation with the Programme Director, you will choose from a range of option courses. We particularly recommend:

Conducting Research Interviews

Contemporary Social Theory

The Documents of Life

Explanation and Understanding in Social and Political Research

Intermediate Inferential Statistics: Testing and Modelling

Listening to Children: Research and Consultation

Political Ecology

Qualitative Methods and Ethnographic Fieldwork

Survey Methods and Data

Values and the Environment

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-09 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

More details

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Geography View 88 other Masters in Geography in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

35300 GBP / year

≈ 35300 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

10400 GBP / year

≈ 10400 GBP / year

Additional Details

Living costs

Edinburgh

United Kingdom

725 - 1167 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Human Geography.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Students who successfully complete this programme will:

Independent research

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Edinburgh

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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