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Geography

BA/BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Geography at UCD is consistently listed in the Top 100 QS World University rankings by subject. Geography is the only discipline that combines the study of both the natural and social worlds and their interaction is key to solving global problems such as climate change, poverty, migration, urbanisation and environmental management.

About This Course

Geography at UCD is consistently listed in the Top 100 QS World University rankings by subject. Geography is the only discipline that combines the study of both the natural and social worlds and their interaction is key to solving global problems such as climate change, poverty, migration, urbanisation and environmental management. Do you want to make sense of this highly complex world and become an informed global citizen? Do you want to learn IT, field and laboratory techniques highly valued by employers such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?

By studying Geography in UCD, you will understand the context in which environmental, socio-cultural and politicoeconomic decision-making takes place and develop skills that prepare you for the workplaces and societies of tomorrow.

First Year

Topics include: Geography Matters • Mapping a Sustainable World • Dynamic Earth • People, Places & Regions • + 1 other subject • Elective module

Second Year

Topics include: Introduction to GIS for the Social Sciences • Making the Irish Landscape • Field Studies in Ireland • Global Historical Geographies • Rivers, Estuaries & Coasts • Weather, Climate & Climate Change • Quaternary Environmental Change • Political Geography • Cities in a Global World • + 1 other subject • Elective modules

Third Year

Topics include: Social Geography • Population Geography • Overseas Fieldwork • Environment & Sustainability • Development Geographies • The Quaternary of Ireland • Global Risks & Resilience • River Catchment Management • Far Right, Hate & Political Polarisation • +1 other subject • Elective modules

BSc Geography students may apply in their third year to do an internship or study abroad.

Fourth Year

BSc Geography students may choose from a range of specialist topics and undertake intensive research skills, including completing a substantial research project. These include: Fortress Europe & the Global War on Migrants • Planetary Geomorphology • The Urban Environment • Historical Geography of Ireland • Development of Dublin • US Foreign Policy • Projects in GIS • Political Geography • Research in Action • Civil Society & NGOs: Theory and Practice to change the world

Assessment

Geography is taught through lectures, tutorials, labs and fieldwork in Ireland and overseas, and includes independent reading and study. Assessment is generally a combination of continuous assessment, tutorial or laboratory participation and end-of-trimester exams.

Study Geography (BSc Social Sciences)

Archaeology Sociology
Economics Mathematics
Information & Communication Studies Social Justice
Philosophy Statistics
Politics & International Relations

English Linguistics
Greek & Roman Civilisation Irish/Gaeilge
History Earth Sciences

Computational Social Science

⇒ Click To View The BSc Social Sciences Course Combination Grid


Studying Geography (BA Joint Honours)

History Irish/Gaeilge
Art History English
Music

⇒ Click To View The BA Arts Course Combination Grid

International opportunities have included exchanges to: Cologne, Germany; Grenoble, France; Barcelona, Spain; Stockholm, Sweden; Pisa, Italy; Melbourne, Australia; USA.

Our graduates have found employment as: • GIS specialists working with local government agencies and private industry (e.g. ESRI, ICON). • Researchers and policy analysts with Teagasc, ESRI, NGOs and governmental departments. • Planners in both local government and private sector consultancies. • Educators at primary and secondary level, as well as in high-profile national and international universities. • In other varied organisations such as Google, Habitat for Humanity, Deloitte and property consultancies.

Many Geography graduates continue with further study of their discipline or proceed directly to Masters degrees in social or environmental sciences, law, or business.

UCD School of Geography
e. geography@ucd.ie


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOG10140 Mapping a Sustainable World Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOG10080 Dynamic Earth Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may choose additional option modules from the list below. Modules offered in Spring may be chosen in place of electives.
 GEOG10130 Geography Matters Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may choose additional option modules from the list below. Modules offered in Spring may be chosen in place of electives.
 GEOG10100 People, Places, Regions Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may choose additional option modules from the list below. Modules offered in Spring may be chosen in place of electives.
 LSOC10010 Making the Irish Landscape Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 GEOG20210 Fieldstudies in Ireland Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 GEOG20220 Introduction to GIS for the Social Sciences Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 15CR:
Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
 GEOG20040 Rivers, Estuaries and Coasts Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 15CR:
Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
 GEOG20070 Urban Geography Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 15CR:
Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
 GEOG20150 Quaternary Environmental Change Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 15CR:
Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
 GEOG20170 Global Historical Geographies Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 15CR:
Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
 GEOG20060 Weather, Climate and Climate Change Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 15CR:
Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
 GEOG20130 Cities in a Global World Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 15CR:
Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
 GEOG20140 Geography, Politics and Media Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30240 Political Geography of European Integration Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30370 River Catchment Management Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30790 Planetary Geomorphology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30820 Development Geographies Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG31070 Social Geography Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30020 Historical Geography of Ireland Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30770 Techniques and Fieldwork Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30840 The Urban Environment Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30880 Applied GIS Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30900 Overseas Fieldwork Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30940 Global Risks and Resilience Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG31060 Population Geography Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30240 Political Geography of European Integration Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30370 River Catchment Management Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30790 Planetary Geomorphology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30820 Development Geographies Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG31070 Social Geography Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30020 Historical Geography of Ireland Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30770 Techniques and Fieldwork Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30840 The Urban Environment Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30880 Applied GIS Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30900 Overseas Fieldwork Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG30940 Global Risks and Resilience Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
 GEOG31060 Population Geography Spring  5

I was attracted to this course as Geography has always been a subject of interest to me. Studying this in UCD has allowed me to broaden my knowledge of the world through both social, physical and urban perspectives. The flexibility to select modules which align with my interests particularly in social and urban geographies, has equipped me with transferable skills like data analysis, digital mapping, and critical thinking. I enjoy this course as it has the perfect balance of hands-on work and academic reflection. A notable highlight has been the chance to travel for fieldwork, both within Ireland and abroad.

Katie O’Reilly, Student

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Geography:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Closed
showAudience-audienceInt BAU5
Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Closed
showAudience-audienceInt SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceInt BAU5
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN700
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
showAudience-audienceEU DN520
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Geography:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science		 Full-Time

Commencing September 2025		 Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.		 Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt BAU5
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts		 Full-Time

Commencing September 2025		 Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.		 Apply
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