Qualification
Master Of Arts Degree
CAO/MU Apply code
MHN60
Award Type and NFQ level
Taught Masters (9)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
30 June 2025

Overview

The MA in Geography is designed for students who wish to deepen their understanding of key geographical ideas and themes, develop their critical thinking skills, undertake independent research in an area of specialist interest, and significantly enhancing their professional skills.

The MA in Geography offers a wide-ranging programme of taught modules so students can choose what classes best suit their interests and career goals. The programme is designed to develop critical spatial thinking, deepen specialist knowledge, and strengthen employability skills from a human geography perspective.

Through this programme, students will become familiar with a range of geographical perspectives applied to critical societal and environmental challenges, including decarbonisation, migration, mobility and housing.

Through its publicly engaged research, the Department has developed an extensive network of public engagement partners. The MA provides unique public engagement opportunities with these civil society partners through its innovative and immersive modules. Student will work together with these partners to collaborate and develop real-world projects. Our research-led and community-partnered teaching and learning approach has been recognised nationally by the Irish University Association.

It is available as both a full-time (1 year, MHN60) and part-time (2-year, MHN61) basis. For the part time programme (MHN61) please click on this link

Commences
September


Course structure

Duration: 1 year full-time

This MA is flexible in delivery, innovative in emphasis, and stresses experiential- and field-based learning opportunities for students to develop ethical research skills and other employability competencies. Teaching and learning takes the form of small-group seminars, collaborative and project-based learning, guest talks and workshops, and regular immersive fieldwork.

Degree structure: 90 credits, taken over 1 year full-time (MHN66) or 2 years part-time (MHN67).

Students must take 50 compulsory credits, which develop competencies in field methods, spatial thinking, and theory and applied research methods in spatial justice. It also includes a 30-credit independent thesis focused on a topic of the student’s choosing as related to spatial justice.

Depending on the student's interests, s/he will take an additional 40 optional credits, with at least 20 credits in Geography and up to 20 credits of electives in anthropology, law, media studies and sociology.

All modules are 100% continuous assessment, with a range of assessment types (academic essays, field research journals, applied research projects, mapping projects, blogs, vlogs and videos, field-based reports, individual and group presentations, other).

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.

Careers after Grad Degree

Our graduates acquire valuable research, analytical and critical, spatial thinking, ethical and professional skills. This Masters programme provides students with a range of communication, research and other transferable skills that will be valuable in many careers including in administration, education, services, creative industries, and working with NGOs and local government authorities. A high proportion of our graduates go on to pursue fully-funded PhDs.

Entry Requirements

Students should normally have earned a 2.1 (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent honours degree) or above in Geography (either subject degree in Geography or overall) or related disciplines. A personal statement is required so the Director can give consideration to applicants with relevant academic, work or professional experience if coming from a different background than the social sciences and/or if earned a 2.2 mark.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent honours degree) which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and international applicants.

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850


How to apply

Online application only. To make an application please click here.

To apply for your chosen postgraduate study at Maynooth University, please ensure you have the following documents to make an application:

  • Evidence of your primary degree
  • Academic transcripts
  • A copy of your passport
  • A personal statement

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.

Got a question about this course?

Programme Director Dr Patrick Bresnihan
Tel +353 (0)1 708 3756
Fax +353 (0)1 708 3573
Email patrick.bresnihan@mu.ie
Website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/geography/our-courses
Address Department of Geography, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare