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Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality

MA (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Critical geographies allow us to engage with power relations and inequalities that create contemporary societies, spaces, places, environments and lives. It develops a robust critical analysis of power relations and inequalities that define our contemporary and past worlds, in search of improved futures. Hands on, in the field learning includes a choice of fieldtrips, including a Global South option.  UCD Geography has an impressive range of engaged international experts leading their fields in Radical scholarship, Anarchism, Geopolitics, Global South, Postcolonialism and Decoloniality, Feminism, Queer, Healthcare and Urban studies. Advised by these world leading scholars, who work with you to engage in ways that develop your analytical, intellectual and practical skills, and informed by cutting edge research, you develop both in-depth contemporary critical geographies.

As a bridge between the natural and social sciences, Geography as a discipline is ideally placed to develop flexible and informed global citizens for the workplaces and societies of tomorrow. The popularity of the discipline is due to its relevance to important global, national and local issues such as climate change, inequality, migration, urbanisation and hazard management.

By focusing on the context of environmental, socio-cultural and politico-economic decision-making and their interconnections, geography graduates are well placed to excel in varied careers and contribute effectively to solving some of the most pressing problems of our time.

About This Course

Students should achieve the following learning outcomes over the course of the programme

Knowledge and understanding

  • Understand theoretical, applied and methodological issues in critical geography
  • Demonstrate advanced conceptual knowledge of critical geographical engagements with contemporary and past worlds
  • Understand the contribution of critical geographical enquiry to the study of power relations and inequalities that create contemporary societies, spaces, places, environments and lives
  • Apply concepts and methodologies developed in the classroom to fieldwork and data.

Applying knowledge and understanding

  • Critically appraise evidence from research papers, everyday life, media and historical sources concerning topics in critical geography
  • Illustrate how critical geographies can be used to comprehend, theorise and seek to contest manifestations of power and inequalities
  • Understand, develop and use a range of methods appropriate to critical geographical enquiry. 

Making judgements

  • Critically engage with the spatial manifestations of power and inequalities across a range of issues
  • Systematically analyse the research literature in a chosen topic as part of a dissertation
  • Decide, under guidance, on appropriate research design and data collection

Communications and working skills

  • Articulate theoretical concepts, current debates and research findings within critical geographies to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in a range of oral and written formats
  • Work effectively with peers in learning, research, and presentation
  • Engage in effective teamworking
  • Develop geographical/spatially analytical lens

Learning skills

  • Develop competence in the collection of source data using research methodologies taught on the programme
  • Engage in independent research and analysis under supervision

This programme offers direct employment prospects including in NGOs, voluntary sector, government, civil service, as well as further academic studies. Beyond this, critical geographies and the intellectual and practical skills developed are designed to enable graduates to understand the world in order to change it.

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
GEOG41140 Dissertation 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  35
Stage 1 Core Modules
GEOG40390 Research Design Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
GEOG40970 Critical Geographies: Spatialising Power and Inequalities Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one Fieldtrip module from the list below.
GEOG40700 International Fieldwork Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one Fieldtrip module from the list below.
GEOG40830 Global South Fieldwork: Vietnam Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one Fieldtrip module from the list below.
GEOG40940 International Urban Fieldwork Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG40450 Critical Geopolitics and Diplomacy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG40760 Development and the Global South Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG40820 GIS Principles and Applications Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG40890 Remote Sensing Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG41050 Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOL40710 Natural hazards and risk Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
PLAN40230 Governing Nature Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG40870 Advanced GIS Applications Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG41060 Geostatistics and Programming for GIS Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GEOG41120 Geopolitical Risks and Crises Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GS40080 Culture and Sexualities Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
GS40120 Decoloniality and Intersectionality Thinking Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
LAW41090 Climate Change Law and Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 3 of:
Maximum 30 credits
PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities Spring  10

This is an outstanding programme that has allowed me to develop key analytical skills, specialise in research areas that I am truly passionate about and diversify my research interests. Thanks to the support and dedication of my professors, I have had the chance to attend compelling lectures and to deepen my understanding of some of the most critical and topical issues facing today's societies. Overall, this Masters degree has allowed me to develop some expertise in areas that I was not familiar with before, and has provided me with many effective tools to start the next chapter of my academic career: a PhD. On a more social level, I have had the chance to meet people from all over the world and to share wonderful moments of laughter and siblinghood. In short, I would highly recommend this fascinating Masters programme to anyone who wants to broaden their horizons and gain valuable research skills.

- Morgane Rudaz, 2021 Alumna

Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality (W589) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9330
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality (W590) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5600
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on www.ucd.ie/fees. Please note that the costs of travel and subsistence for some fieldwork modules are borne by the student. 

UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD masters programme. Please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/ or https://www.ucd.ie/geography/study/scholarships/ for further information.

Entry Requirements

A primary degree with at least GPA 3.08 (2H1) or international equivalent in Geography or a related discipline.

We will also consider applicants with at least a GPA 3.08 (2H1) in a related area that provides appropriate background to the programme. In exceptional circumstances, students who have a GPA 2.48 (2H2) and some relevant work or other experience.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes


This Masters is for anyone who has an interest in considering how power and inequalities are created differently in different places, as well as created through the places that they are in. You do not have to have a Geography Degree. Critical geographies offers a distinctive graduate opportunity for activists to engage with and understand how place, environment and landscapes are central to shaping futures.



Please be aware that the modules for the part-time route are only available during working hours, from Monday to Friday. This course is not offered in the evenings or online. Instead, it is designed to spread your learning requirements over two years, which is ideal for those who are currently employed and can only attend campus for one day per week. If you are worried about managing your work and study commitments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.



 


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W589
MA Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W590
MA Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality
Master of Arts
Part-Time
Commencing September 2024
Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W589
Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W590
MA Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality
Master of Arts
Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page