Course overview

This course will provide you with the research skills to develop into a future researcher through an ESRC accredited programme of research training designed around the discipline of human geography. It aims to provide an advanced level of understanding of geography and will give you the tools to become an advanced independent researcher, able to develop, design and execute academic research projects.

Introduction

This programme will provide advanced training in geographical thought and analysis. Students will gain postgraduate level expertise on Human Geography research, with a depth and breadth that corresponds to masters-level accreditation.

The course is roughly delivered in three sections. The first part of the course will deliver core research skills training required in order for ESRC Research Training Accreditation. This is delivered in combination with Planning staff in the Department, but also in combination with students studying in Sociology. It provides a bedrock of essential research skills which can also qualify students to complete a doctoral research project if they wish.

The second part of the course (60 credits) will provide specific training in Human Geography. You will learn about different aspects of the discipline that correspond to the specialist knowledge of staff, both in the Power, Space and Social Change cluster as well as also in related human geography subfields. You will also learn in more depth about the ways in which geographers apply theory to their work, and the way in which they can use an array of methods to engage with research participants, policy-makers and communities. In this part of the course students will also have the chance to take mini-modules in sociology, which overlap generatively with the geography course.

Finally, you will also undertake a 60 credit dissertation. This piece of independent research will allow you to apply the skills developed during the taught components of the research and to focus on a topic of interest to you.

Careers and employability

Following this postgraduate programme, you will be able to understand the whole process of undertaking research, through from project design, data collection & analysis and interpretation of results. As a result, you will be well placed to apply for entry into a research-led career pathway.