Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

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.

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

View All Modules Here

Your studies will cover a broad engagement with critical and radical geographies and a choice regarding your focus.  These choices vary annually, but include critical environmental studies, anarchism, critical geopolitics, critical urban studies, critical engagements with the Global South. Within your courses, you will choose what to focus on and for your dissertation you will work on a one-to-one basis with an expert member of staff who will guide you in creating your own research project. 

Over the course of the Masters, you will complete five compulsory modules:

• Critical geographies,
• research design (I and II),
• dissertation (with a choice of focus within the course content) and
• a fieldtrip (chosen from International fieldwork, international urban fieldwork and Global South Fieldwork).

You will choose four further modules, with choices including:

• Critical Geopolitics
• Geographies of the Global South
• Latin America
• Applied/Advanced GIS

MSc Critical Geographies: Power & Inequality (W462) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7990
nonEU    fee per year - € 21520

MSc Critical Geographies: Power & Inequality (W463) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5200
nonEU    fee per year - € 10760

***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.

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.

The MSc Critical Geographies: Power and Inequality 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

The following entry routes are available:

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised