Programme can be tailored to your interests. The MA focuses on human geography, including: environment and development; environmental policies and politics; geopolitics; urbanisation; globalisation. The MSc focuses on physical geography, particularly modules available on the Environmental Monitoring, Modelling & Management programme.
KEY BENEFITS
- A wide range of geographical topics are covered.
- Teaching is led by the research interests of staff and is cutting-edge.
- The programme can be tailored to the interests of individual students.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
National and international consultancies and NGOs; governments; charities; research organisations; business, journalism and teaching.
Programme leader/s
Professor Tim Butler (MA); Dr James Millington (MSc, from 2013/14)
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, two years PT, September to September.
Location
Strand Campus.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Social Science and Public Policy
Department of Geography
Closing date
None.
Intake
10 FT/PT.
Fees
PT Home: £3950 (2013)
PT Overseas: £8125 (2013)
FT Home: £7900 (2013)
FT Overseas: £16250 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Centre for Arts & Sciences Admissions (CASA)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 1977 / 7203
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200
Email
Website
PURPOSE
The primary aim of the MA/MSc programme is to provide an advanced foundation in geography, bringing students up to date with the latest developments in their chosen fields of study. The distinction between the MA and the MSc arises from the modules taken, with the MA awarded for degrees that focus more on human geography and the MSc awarded for degrees that focus more on physical geography. Students enrolled for the MA Geography programme are expected to take most of their options in human geography and those enrolled for the MSc Geography programme are expected to take most of their options in physical geography.
DESCRIPTION
This programme provides a broad grounding in geography. In addition to a compulsory dissertation, students can choose from a wide range of thematic items. The distinction between the MA and the MSc arises from the modules taken. The MA is awarded for degrees that focus on human geography, including fields such as environment and development, environmental policies and politics, geopolitics, urbanisation and globalisation. The MSc focuses on physical geography modules, particularly those available on the Environmental, Monitoring, Modelling and Management programme.
EXTRA PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Students following the MA are expected to take the compulsory research methods module (Practising Social Research 1) plus options from other MA human geography Programmes offered in Geography. Students following the MSc are expected to take the compulsory research methods module (Methods in Environmental Research) plus options from other MSc physical geography programmes offered in Geography.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
Core modules (60 credits):EITHER 7SSG5004 Dissertation in MA Geography
OR 7SSG5000 Dissertation in MSc Geography (both modules 60 credits) (must Take and Pass)
Compulsory modules (20 credits):
EITHER 7SSG5002 Practising Social Research for MA Geography students OR 7SSG5110 Methods for Environmental Research for MSc Geography students (both modules 20 credits)
Indicative non-core content
Optional modules in Geography (100−110 credits):- Any Level 7 (Masters) modules offered in the Geography Department. Please click here for a full list of the modules offered in the 2013/14 academic year.
Other Optional Modules Available to Students on this Programme:- Up to 20 credits of Level 7 modules from any KCL Departments or Institutes outside of Geography.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Specialist taught modules assessed mainly by written coursework, oral presentations, lab work and practical sessions. The three-month written dissertation is compulsory and is based upon work conducted overseas or in the UK.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7SSG5002
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
This module enables students to derive a greater understanding of the relationship between methodology and method and the related notions of epistemology and ontology. The module is a mix of lectures and tutorials and enables students to develop skills in the appropriate use and application of quantitative and qualitative methods, which will have been worked through in tutorial sessions. The module lays the conceptual groundwork for the design of the dissertation and enables students to appreciate the connections between epistemology and the students particular programme of study.
Module code: 7SSG5110
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
This module aims to provide a background in issues and methods involved in doing environmental research, including research methods and design. To achieve this, the module consists of a series of lectures, seminars, and practicals giving an overview of methods in designing, analyzing, presenting and evaluating environmental research. A subcomponent of this module will be an additional unassessed but required set of practicals and seminars giving a overview of laboratory and field equipment available in the KCL Department of Geography. On completion of this module, the student will be able to define the features of environmental problems and will be able to assess environmental investigations in terms of their design strategies for collection of data, data analysis, and results presentation. When taken with 7SSG5111 the students will be fully equipped to carry out their own independent research into environmental problems using these methodologies.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Minimum standard is a 2:1 degree or international equivalent, e.g. GPA of 3.3 from a US University. Candidates who do not achieve a 2:1 but have professional or voluntary experience will also be considered. Mature candidates will be considered favourably.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
We run a rolling admissions system. We aim to process all complete applications within four weeks; during February and March and over holiday periods, applications may take longer to process. There is no set deadline.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Please provide a personal statement that shows how your own interests are linked to the programme. In this statement please describe your academic background, your reasons for applying for this programme and what you hope to gain from it, including any relevant experience, strengths, ambitions or research interests.
FUNDING
Varied including Research Councils, University of London Scholarships, departmental bursaries and career development loans. For overseas students Chevening Scholarships are available from the British Council.
For further information on funding, including conditions of eligibility, please consult the Postgraduate Funding Page on the master's section of the Geography Department's website -
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/geography/study/masters/funding.aspx
Related programme student profile
Global Environmental Change MScI chose to study the MSc Global Environmental Change because of its multidisciplinary approach, its student-faculty interaction and highly experienced faculty members, many of whom also engage in consulting and research work.
The optional modules are very interesting and I actually had a bit of difficulty deciding in only two and consequently I decided to audit one more. I chose 'Environmental Actors and Politics' and 'Environmental Internship' as the two optional courses for the year. I have now secured an internship at a consultancy in which I will acquire important knowledge for my professional future.
The Department of Geography, is located at the Strand campus which is a beautiful place to study in. As master's students we have exclusive access to facilities created especially for us, such as the common room, the computer laboratory and computer rooms in the Maughan Library (within a 5 minutes walk reach from the Strand).
Seminars at the Department are organised on a weekly basis and are always followed by a reception which helps to get to know more of the students in the Department. There is also a weekly pub trip to which all are invited, professors and students.
Thanks to Conacyt (Mexican Government scholarship organisation), a great part of my living expenses and tuition fees are covered. This has undoubtedly helped to focus my attention on studying and not to worry about taking a part-time job.
When I finish writing my dissertation I will search for a job in consultancy as I want to develop experience in this field. Later on I would like to open my own consultancy in Mexico.
King's is undoubtedly the best choice I could have selected. As the days go by the only thing that worries me is that I'm running out of time!