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MA GEOGRAPHY
- Qualification
- Master Of Arts Degree
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MHN60
- Award Type and NFQ level
- TAUGHT MASTERS (9)
- Study Mode
- Full time
- Closing Date
- 27 August 2027
Overview
The MA in Geography is designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of key geographical ideas and themes, develop strong critical thinking skills, undertake independent research in an area of specialist interest, and enhance their professional capabilities.
This programme offers a wide-ranging suite of taught modules, allowing students to choose the classes that best align with their interests and career goals. It supports the development of critical spatial thinking, deeper specialist knowledge, and advanced employability skills grounded in human geography.
Students will engage with a variety of geographical approaches applied to key societal and environmental challenges, including decarbonisation, migration, mobility, and housing.
The Department’s long-standing, publicly engaged research has created an extensive network of civil society partners. The MA provides unique opportunities for students to work with these partners through innovative and immersive modules, collaborating on real-world projects. Our research-led and community-partnered teaching and learning model has been recognised nationally by the Irish Universities Association.
The programme is available full-time (1 year, MHN60) or part-time (2 years, MHN61). For information on the part-time programme (MHN61), please click here.
Commences: September
If you would like to receive updates about this programme, upcoming events and scholarship opportunities at Maynooth University, you can register your interest here.
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). Please see the list of possible classes in Course Finder
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.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.
Careers after your Masters
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
Applicants must hold a minimum of a Bachelor Honours degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent) with a minimum of a Second-Class Honours, Grade 1 (2:1) in Geography or a related discipline. Applicants who hold a minimum of a Second-Class Honours, Grade 2 (2:2) in a cognate area may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you do not meet the standard entry requirements then you may be eligible to apply under the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Please click here for further information.
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.
How to apply
Applications must be made via the MU Apply portal. Please click here to start your application.
When making your application, please ensure you prepare any documents listed below. You may be required to submit documents in two stages. You will be required to upload and submit the following documents with your application:
- Full academic transcripts for all semesters/ years completed to date
- Graduation Certificate if you have graduated
- A copy of your passport
- Up to date CV
You will be required to upload the following documents after you submit your application:
- Personal Statement (minimum 500 words on why you would like to study your chosen programme)
If English is not your first language, you may be required to upload evidence of English language proficiency. For information please click here.