Our Geography MSci programmes are among the most flexible anywhere, so if you are interested in both human and physical geography, you can pick and choose your modules to focus on the human side, physical side or the interactions between the two.

The MSci Geography course at Newcastle combines a sound academic training with an insight into practical, social, economic and environmental issues. You will refine your perspectives and develop skills in a degree programme that encourages the use of imagination and observation to resolve real problems affecting people and environments.

  

Why Study this Course?

There are plenty of reasons to study Geography MSci  at Newcastle:

  • Flexibility – One reason we are among the largest and most popular geography schools in the country is that we treat you as a geographer. This means we give you options to study both ‘physical’ and ‘human’ geography. We understand you may have a mixture of interests, from social to scientific, and we provide the opportunity for you to study them all. 
  • Transferable skills – Our degree programmes will equip you with the transferable skills essential for future employment. Geography graduates are skilled in working with digital technologies, statistics, mapping packages, GIS and mobile media. Our careers record speaks for itself with 95.2 per cent of our graduates in employment or further study after six months. In many cases these are jobs that are addressing global issues – jobs that really matter.
  • Employability – Our Geography programmes are ranked first in the Russell Group for graduate employability – 2016/17 Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey
  • Fieldwork – Recent fieldwork destinations have included Pembrokeshire, the Scottish Highlands, southern Spain, Berlin, Malta, Portugal and Tenerife. The costs of travel and accommodation on all compulsory field courses will be covered by the University. Find out more about fieldwork opportunities
  • Research-led teaching – Our world-leading research feeds directly into our programmes, meaning you will learn from academics who are experts in their field.

Institutional Accreditation 

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Geography MSci (Hons)

Course Level:

Undergraduate, Single Honours

Credits 

120

Course

CODE U485

How long it takes:

Undergraduate (3 years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$20,220

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

First year

The modular structure allows you maximum flexibility in developing your own interests without channeling you into decisive choices too early. In the first year you will study issues crucial to the shape of the world and our place within it, such as natural hazards, landslides, floods, global environmental change and cultural landscapes, as well as contemporary urban issues using Newcastle as a real-world laboratory. There are also fieldtrips to the likes of Ironbridge and the Lake District.

 

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • Contemporary Human Geography
  • Global Environmental Issues
  • Environmental Research Frontiers
  • Research methods, field work, and data analysis
  • Tutorials and Study Skills for Geographers
  • Widening Horizons Module
  • Statistical Methods and Applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Second year

The second year will provide you with deeper subject knowledge in areas of your choice. You will be introduced to specialist techniques such as computer cartography and the use of databases. You will also learn how to develop a research proposal, which may be the starting point for your dissertation in the final year. Training in more advanced fieldwork skills is provided by courses held in European centres. 

 

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Statistical Methods and Applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • Dissertation Labs and Fieldwork: Theory and Practice – Human Geography and Planning
  • Research Methods for Human Geography
  • Research Labs and Fieldwork: Theory and Practice – Human Geography and Planning

Optional modules – Example optional modules may include:

  • Geomorphology and Palaeoenvironments
  • Catchment Water and Soil Management
  • Ecological Systems
  • Hydroclimatology: Climate and Water
  • Environmental Assessment and Management
  • Understanding Neighbourhood Poverty
  • Social and Political Geography
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Economic Geography: Cities and Regions
  • Cultural and Development Geographies
  • Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems

 

Third year

In the third year you select from a wide range of modules that provide more specialised knowledge and skills in the areas of Geography that appeal to you. You also undertake a supervised dissertation on a topic of your own choice.  

 

Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Geography Research

Optional modules – Example optional modules may include:

  • Advanced Fieldwork Research
  • Urban Environments in the Global South
  • Geography in the Classroom
  • Applied Micrometeorology
  • Climates of the Past
  • Environment and Landscape Change
  • Environmental Governance
  • Environmental Protection
  • Landscape and Urban Ecology
  • Professional Placement for Geographers
  • River Processes, Deposits and Environments
  • Weather, Climate and Society
  • Restoration of Freshwater Ecosystems
  • Carceral Geographies
  • Welfare, Work and Wealth
  • War and Peace in the Middle East
  • Environmental Justice
  • Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
  • Biodiversity and Conservation Management
  • Wetland Environments
  • Alternative Economies
  • Understanding Nature-Society Relations: the Ecological Century
  • Cultural Geographies of Development
  • Network Geographies
  • Geographies of Children and Young People
  • Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems
  • Russia in a Global Context
  • Gender, body & performance
  • Palaeoclimates
  • Climate change in the Earth System
  • Environmental Management: Theory, Policy, Practice
  • Pollution impacts and waste management
  • Cities and Conflict
  • The political economy of agrarian change in the Global South
  • Extractive Politics

 

Fourth year

The MSci provides a natural continuation to your first 3 years of study and allows you to further your studies in human geography (city & modernity, geopolitics & globalisation, local economic development), physical geography (meteorological applications, hydrological & biogeochemical processes, river restoration) and environmental assessment or indeed a mixture of the disciplines.

 

Year 4

Human Geography pathway

Compulsory Modules

  • Project
  • Doing Human Geography
  • Theoretical Themes for Geographers

Optional Modules – Example optional modules may include:

  • Geopolitics and Globalisation
  • City and Modernity
  • Creative Economies and Creative Cities
  • Hydrogeomorphology and Catchment Management

 

Physical Geography pathway

Compulsory Modules

  • Project
  • Advanced Geographic and Environmental Research

Optional Modules – Example optional modules may include:

  • Meteorological Applications and Services
  • Atmospheric Observations
  • Environmental Analysis and Modelling
  • Advances in Water Science and River Management

Entry requirements

 

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
  • An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.

See further details of our English Language requirement

USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)

£8,500

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£13,100

 

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.

Our Geography programmes are ranked first in the Russell Group for graduate employability – 2016/17 Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey

    

  • We have an excellent careers record with up to 98 per cent of our graduates employed in a range of industries within six months
  • Many of our degrees are accredited highlighting our academic excellence and their professional relevance and applicability to the workplace
  • Fieldwork plays a central role in developing your skills, offering practical experience in a range of settings and the opportunity to explore our extraordinary and multifaceted world

As a Newcastle Geography graduate you will be highly aware of the globalising economy, sensitive to the variety of the world’s cultures, and have an understanding of the physical processes and critical issues that impact upon the environment. You will have a perspective that encompasses the global, regional and local and be highly regarded by employers. 

   

Example career routes include:

  • Conservation worker
  • Coastal engineer
  • Environmental consultant
  • Aid worker
  • Surveyor
  • Social worker
  • Forestry manager
  • Cartographer
  • Scientist