Geography related postgraduate courses in Ireland
So, you have finished your undergraduate degree? Congratulations. And you are now thinking about continuing your geographical education in Ireland in 2020? We at PCEN have got your back.
Here is a list of geography related courses on the island. We found there are so many overlaps between human / physical / environmental or climate related postgraduate courses that we have brought them all together for your ease of access. Please bear in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and it is very possible we have missed some excellent geography related courses along our search. The information provided below has been copied from the websites of the institutions, so we urge you to use this as a base from which to explore the websites of the universities, colleges and institutes of technologies offering these varied postgraduate courses. We do hope that this stimulates ideas for what you can go on to do after your undergraduate course.
If you like maps and want to see a quick list of which institution is providing which course, check out our interactive map version below. And if you are not a huge fan of maps (as if!), then just jump right to the text directly below the map.
Athlone Institute of Technology
MSc in Environment, Health and Safety Management
Two years - part time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: 7th September 2020
This two-year part-time programme aims to provide participants with specialist knowledge in both environmental management and health and safety management. It offers participants an opportunity to reflect on their professional practice and gain a theoretical and critical perspective of issues associated with environmental, health and safety.
What will I experience?
- On successful completion of the programme, participants will:
- Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the major concepts and theories associated with environmental, health and safety management.
- Employ appropriate advanced data analysing, synthesising and summarising skills in a scientific research environment.
- Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the concepts and processes of risk management.
- Be able to implement risk assessment techniques in a number of diverse areas.
- Have a detailed knowledge of and apply current approaches to managing chemical and biological hazards.
- Understand how the principles of toxicology relate to occupational exposures.
- Discuss and formulate measures to prevent pollution and reduce waste through process design.
- Understand the effects of environmental hazards on the biotic and abiotic environment.
- Have a fundamental understanding of the Irish and European legal framework.
- Have a clear understanding of requirements in the main health, safety and environmental laws.
- Be able to demonstrate a knowledge that is integrated across the legal, financial and general business aspects of professional practice.
- Understand the role and importance of strategy in organisations.
- Understand the importance of compliance with legislation and the consequences of non-compliance.
Link: https://www.ait.ie/courses/master-of-science-in-environmental-health-and-safety-management
Dublin City University
MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society
One year – full-time; two years - part time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date (Non-EU): 17th July 2020
Closing date (Non-EU): 14th August 2020
The MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society interrogates how societies are responding to climate change, and how that response can be strengthened. It is the only master’s programme in Ireland focused on climate change that adopts a social science and humanities perspective on this challenge. It brings together DCU’s unique strengths in the study of climate change governance and law, communications and media, societal transitions, and education. Students take core modules on climate change policy and governance, EU and national climate change law, climate change and the media, the physical science basis of climate change, and climate change and societal transition, as well as choosing from a range of optional modules. Students also undertake research methods training and write a dissertation.
The programme is open to both full-time and part-time applicants. Full time students take the programme over one year, while part time students take the programme over two years. Classes are scheduled one day a week from 14:00 onwards to facilitate part time students.
Dundalk Institute of Technology
MSc in Renewable Energy Systems
One year – full-time
Average intake of students: 20
Next start date: September 2020
Closing date: Not stated
The M.Sc. degree spans a minimum of three semesters. This includes two semesters of teaching and one dedicated to the thesis write up. The programme consists of a taught syllabus, that includes assignments, and an individual research thesis. Lectures are generally convened on Mondays and Fridays.
Semester 1
- Introduction to Renewable Energy (mandatory)
- Wind Energy 1 (mandatory)
- Solar Energy 1 (mandatory)
- Water Power 1 (mandatory)
- Bio-Energy 1 (mandatory)
Semester 2
- Energy Policy and Economics (mandatory)
- Grid Integration of Renewables (mandatory)
- Research Methods (mandatory)
- Wind Energy 2 (elective, i.e. not mandatory)
- Ocean Energy (elective, i.e. not mandatory)
- Solar Energy 2 (elective, i.e. not mandatory)
- Bio-Energy 2 (elective, i.e. not mandatory)
Semester 3
- Research Project write up (mandatory for M.Sc.)
All mandatory subjects, including the research project, plus any two of the elective lecture modules, are required for successful completion of the M.Sc. programme.Students completing all mandatory subjects but not the research project can graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Renewable Energy Systems.
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Applied Marine Conservation
One year – full-time
Average intake of students: Not stated
Next start date: September 2020
Closing date: Not stated
MSc degree focuses on core and specialist competences in key themes of fisheries, marine conservation; sustainability and ecosystem-based management.
List of Modules:
- Ecology of Top Predators in Marine Systems (5 ECTs)
- Secondary Impacts of Harvest on Wild Populations and Ecosystems (5 ECTs)
- Applied Geographic Information Systems (5 ECTs)
- Data Analysis Using R and R Studio (5 ECTs)
- Seabird and Marine Mammal Population Assessment techniques (5 ECTs)
- Life History Strategies and Trade-offs (5 ECTs)
- The Research thesis is a year-long module (60 ECTs)
Link: https://www.gmit.ie/natural-sciences/msc-applied-marine-conservation
MSc in Conservation Behaviour
One year – full-time
Average intake of students: Not stated
Next start date: September 2020
Closing date: Not stated
The course consists of six taught modules (5 ECTS each) and a major research thesis (60 ECTS).
The taught modules are:
- Studies in Conservation Behaviour: Through guided and independent study, students will produce a literature review on a selected topic in Conservation Behaviour, thereby gaining an in-depth knowledge of that topic, while also learning effective techniques for reviewing the scientific literature. Practical skills in conservation will also be taught, giving students a good overall knowledge in collection and analysis methods.
- Data Analysis using R and RStudio: The powerful, free and open-source R statistical environment is becoming the statistical tool of choice for increasing numbers of scientists. Students will learn how to easily import their data into R, and how to then manage, manipulate, explore, graph and statistically analyse their data using R and RStudio.
- Residential Field Course: The residential field course provides students with opportunities to develop practical field skills and independent learning. The location for the residential field course (e.g. Aran Islands/Inishbofin, Co. Galway; the Burren, Co. Clare; the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry) will provide opportunities to study a range of animals in a variety of habitats.
- Applied Geographic Information Systems: This module covers the use of geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool for field biologists. Students will learn to store, manage, analyse and display data that has both spatial and attribute components, using ArcGIS.
- Animal Behaviour: Recording and Analysis: Students will learn to address conservation questions within a behavioural framework, observe and record the behaviour of animals in the field and laboratory using appropriate equipment and techniques, and analyse behavioural data using dedicated behavioural software and suitable statistical methods.
- Acoustic Monitoring as a Marine Conservation Tool: Cetaceans use sound for navigating, finding food and communicating. Therefore, through the study of underwater acoustics we can get an insight into cetacean occurrence and behaviour. This module will train students in acoustic monitoring technologies, and the analysis and interpretation of acoustic datasets.
The research thesis:
Students will undertake an approved research project under the direction of an internal supervisor and, if appropriate, a supervisor from a relevant external organisation. Research projects may be drawn from any area within the course, or from an area of expertise of the supervisors, while also taking the interests and future career of the student into account. Research projects to be carried out in 2019 involve collaborations with the Marine Institute, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and the Coral Restoration Foundation (Florida, USA), among others.
Link: https://www.gmit.ie/natural-sciences/msc-conservation-behaviour
International MSc in Marine Biological Resources
Two years – full-time
Average intake of students: Not stated
Next start date: September 2020
Closing date: Not stated
IMBRSea covers a range of subjects within marine science and marine biological resources. With an emphasis on marine biological and ecological processes, the programme links biology of marine organisms and environmental studies with subjects in marine policy and planning.
Topics are covered through Thematic Modules in Specialization Tracks to prepare the next generation of scientists who need to understand the marine ecosystem functioning and conservation of biodiversity to work in biological resources exploitation and management.
IMBRSea offers a unique combination of Courses, Annual Symposia, Professional Practices and Thesis subjects in an integrated program to learn how to develop blue biotechnologies in a sustainable way.
Common Elements (Compulsory)
- Fundamentals module (30 ECTS)
- Professional Practice (12 ECTS)
- Joint Summer School (6 ECTS)
- Thesis Preparation (6 ECTS)
- Thesis (30 ECTS)
- Annual Symposium
Specialization tracks (choose one)
- Marine Food Production
- Management of Living Marine Resources
- Applied Marine Ecology and Conservation
- Marine Environment Health
- Global Ocean Changes
For further details on each element, go to the IMBRSea Study Programme webpage (http://imbrsea.eu/study-program)
Link: https://www.gmit.ie/natural-sciences/international-msc-marine-biological-resources
Maynooth University
MSc in Climate Change
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: 30th June 2020
The MSc in Climate Change at Maynooth University is offered to provide Graduates with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to enable them to undertake analysis of both global and Irish related climate change science, impacts and policies.
The course provides a well-integrated and encompassing programme of taught modules such as, The Ocean and Climate Change, Detection, Attribution and Decision making, Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation which reflect the major themes of climate change, together with essential technical training in modelling and analysis and are designed to nurture independent and critical thinking on climate change issues.
Students gain applied knowledge working with industry stakeholders on proposed dissertation topics on real world problems. This ensures that societally relevant research topics meet stakeholder needs and that students develop links with potential employers.
Why do this course at Maynooth University?
- The Maynooth University MSc Climate Change is the leading national and a leading international postgraduate course on climate change.
- Staff are internationally recognised experts and leaders in their field.
- Students are provided with their own dedicated computer lab, equipped with all software (Geographical Information Systems, Statistical Downscaling, Hydrological Models etc.)
Link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/geography/our-courses/msc-climate-change
MSc in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: 30th June 2020
Given the wider development of Citizen GIS and an increased public awareness and knowledge of the power and value of spatial data, vastly increased amounts of such data from different sources are now available to researchers. However, in order to turn these data into useful information, they must be efficiently managed, processed and analysed before being displayed in a comprehensible format. Geographical Information Systems and the associated field of Remote Sensing greatly aid us in such tasks. The course is equally split between both parts - GIS and Remote Sensing - with four core modules introducing the theory and practice of both subject at an introductory and advanced level. Geographical Information Systems or GIS as they are better known, are widely used in a wide variety of subject fields across the physical and social sciences and even in the humanities, with applicability in everything from archaeology and astronomy to geomorphology and globalisation to soil science and social planning.
Remote Sensing – the analysis and interpretation of aerial and satellite imagery – has transformed the manner in which we view the Earth. The synoptic view of the Earth that it has given us has greatly improved our understanding of atmospheric and oceanic processes, sustained environmental management and the interaction of humans with the natural world. It is now a standard research tool in many fields such as geology, geography, pollution control, agriculture and climatology. Additional optional modules in Programming, Spatial Databases and Remote Sensing of the Subsurface are also available to students who want to develop the technical side more fully, though the course has a strong applied flavour throughout. In addition, all students complete a work placement in the Summer months which allows them to gain valuable practical experience to test and develop the skills learnt across the course.
Aims of the Course
- To provide highly qualified, motivated graduates who have been trained in Geographical Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing and who can apply the information technology skills they obtain.
- To produce marketable graduates who will make significant contributions to GIS and RS application areas including; industry, government, academia, the community and voluntary sector and other public and private bodies.
- To provide an understanding of Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing, the technology involved and its applications for specific investigations.
MSc in Geocomputation
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not Applicable – applications accepted at any time
This structured research programme in Geocomputation aims to:
- Build capacity for independent research.
- Enhance advanced specialist knowledge in Geocomputation alongside transferable and generic skills.
- Enable students to disseminate their research.
In addition to the modules associated with this particular course, this structured programme offers postgraduate researchers the opportunity to select from modules taught on the MSc in Geocomputation and professional skills training modules offered by different faculties or modules offered by other Departments which are of particular interest, for example research commercialisation.
Link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/courses/msc-geocomputation
MA in Geography
One year – full-time; two years - part time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: 31st July 2020
The MA in Geography offers a wide-ranging programme of taught modules. Compulsory modules develop competencies in human geographic thought and field methods; optional methodological modules develop skills in analysis, research and public engagement; and optional specialist modules provide the opportunity for research-led teaching and learning on a range of topics, from urban geography, digital geographies, sexuality and space, place and politics, landscape and health, electoral politics, migration, bodies and environments, spatial justice, among others (optional modules in Geography rotate every two years). Students can also take up to two elective modules in Anthropology, Media Studies and Sociology. The MA in Geography also includes an independent research thesis, to be submitted in August-September. Overall, the programme is designed to nurture independent and critical thinking from a human geography perspective.
Link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/geography/our-courses/ma-geography
MA Geography: Spatial Justice
One year – full-time; two years - part time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: 31st July 2020
Students must take 70 compulsory credits, which includes a 30-credit minor thesis focused on Spatial Justice. Depending on the students’ research focus, s/he will take an additional 20 optional credits, with at least 10 of these optional credits in Geography and up to 10 credits of electives in Anthropology, Media Studies and Sociology. Each taught module will consist of ten, 2-hour seminars. All modules are 100% continuous assessment, with a range of assessment types (academic essays, field research journals, applied research projects, mapping projects, blogs, vlogs, field-based reports, individual and group presentations, other). Optional module offerings are offered on a rotational basis, depending on student interest and staff availability (i.e. not all GY modules listed below are offered every year). This may also be the case for optional modules listed in Anthropology, Media Studies, and Sociology.
Link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/geography/our-courses/ma-geography-spatial-justice
NUI Galway
MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments: Physical Processes, Policy and Practice
One year – full-time
Two years – part-time
Next start date September 2020
Average intake of students: 15
Closing date: Not stated
MSc programme delivered over 3 semesters (12 months). It is directed at graduates from Geography, Natural Sciences and other related disciplines in the social and natural sciences, and at professionals in the field who are interested in furthering their knowledge of coastal and marine environments.
List of modules:
- Research Methods and Mapping (Dr Aaron Potito). This module outlines the principles of designing and implementing a research project: collecting representative data in the field; coding data and database construction; quantitative data analysis; and mapping and spatial data analysis within a Geographic Information System. (10 ECTs)
- Coastal Processes and Landforms (Dr Eugene Farrell). The purpose of this module is to provide a general introduction to the discipline of coastal geomorphology, a review of coastal environments and related problems, and a more detailed consideration of beach-dune systems. (10 ECTs)
- Reconstructing Marine Environments (Dr Audrey Morley). This module introduces the concept of using a multidisciplinary ecosystem approach to study the marine environment, incorporating key disciplines such as geomorphology, physical and chemical oceanography, and marine geosciences. (10 ECTs)
- Biodiversity and Coastal Change (Dr Terry Morley). Coastal habitats are one of the most sensitive environments to climate change. This course aims to foster an interdisciplinary assessment and analysis of coastal biodiversity science and conservation within a context of global change. (10 ECTs)
- Dynamics of Climate Change (Dr Gordon Bromley). This module explores the processes of low-latitude ocean-atmosphere heat transfer and the mechanisms by which local perturbations are transmitted globally. (10 ECTs)
- Marine Spatial Planning and Policy (Dr Liam Carr). This module critically explores how society has viewed and used coastal and marine environments throughout history, examines evolving views on how these systems have been valued, evaluates various policies and practices employed in its management, and identifies current and future issues that threaten coastal and marine system functionality and resilience. (10 ECTs)
- Dissertation: Independent Research Project (Advisor selected for project). (30 ECTs)
Queen’s University Belfast
Ecological Management and Conservation Biology
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: 30 places available
Closing date: Not stated
The programme has a backbone of taught academic lectures covering the full spectrum of subjects contained within conservation biology including:
- Animal Behaviour
- Biodiversity
- Conservation genetics
- Emerging plant pathogens
- Environmental economics
- Environmental impact assessment
- Grassland management
- Invasion biology
- Marine conservation
- Soil biology
- Wildfire ecology
Link: http://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/ecological-management-conservation-biology-msc/
Global Food Security
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
Available as a PG cert, PG Dip, PG MSc.
The Global Food Security (Food Safety) programme is delivered by leading research active staff within the Internationally recognised Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) based at Queen’s University Belfast. This is a unique postgraduate level course and awards are available at Certificate, Diploma or Master’s Level. The programme offers a flexible study pathway to those working in the agri-food industry who wish to develop their skills and knowledge to a postgraduate level.
Link: http://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/global-food-security-food-safety-pgcert/
Technological University of Dublin
MSc in Geographic Information Science
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
In full-time mode, each phase is completed over a 15-week semester. Phases 1 and 2 comprise of taught modules with circa 15 contact hours per week each. During Phase 2, as part of the module Work Placement, students will have the opportunity to gain relevant practical industry experience working within a company or organization. Phase 3 consists of one mandatory module, Research Project and Dissertation.
Modules include:
- Fundamentals of GIS
- Spatial Data Acquisition
- GI Project Management
- Web and User Interface Design
- Spatial Databases
- Introduction to Programming
- Advanced GIS
- GIS Modelling
- Work Placement
- Web GIS
- Programming for GIS
- Advanced Spatial Data Management
- Research Project and Dissertation
MSc in Sustainable Development
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
Sustainable Development is at the heart of environmental, social and economic policies being developed and enacted by business, state and NGOs. This course, which includes a work placement, provides a broad knowledge and understanding of sustainable development including the issues, techniques, management and applications relevant to the living and working environment.
Aims
- The programme aims to provide graduates with the skills and ability to interpret principles of sustainable development and translate these into policy responses.
- Each course entrant brings an expertise based on prior learning and or work experience.
- The MSc Sustainable Development is structured to build on and deepen your knowledge and allow you apply the principles and practices of sustainable development in your own field of expertise or employment.
- The course also offers you the chance to deepen your knowledge in chosen areas of energy, environment, community development or planning.
Trinity College Dublin
M.Phil. in Environmental History
The M.Phil. in Environmental History offers an advanced qualification to graduates in History, Political Science, History of Ideas, Cultural Studies or similar. This course gives students a firm understanding of the interplay of, and feedbacks between, nature and culture over time. The taught full- or part-time degree has a strong methodological focus, including training in digital humanities technologies, mixed (quantitative-qualitative) methods and innovative assessment design, supplemented by an optional self-financed field trip to Iceland. The purpose of this M.Phil. programme is to train students in methods and themes that are directly relevant to the professional workplace at a time when there is an increasing awareness of the need to include the competencies and insights of the humanities in understanding and addressing environmental issues, not least climate change. Training in critical thinking and mixed methods research skills will open up students’ career perspectives in the public sector, media, private consultancies and NGOs, as well as being an excellent entry point for doctoral studies.
Modules:
- Environmental history modules (40 credits)
- Option modules offered by the School of Histories and Humanities or the School of Natural Sciences (20 credits)
- Individual research project (30 credits), consisting of a) 15,000-20,000 word dissertation or b) a combination of an extended research paper of 10,000-12,000 words (70%) and a digital output, e.g. database or map (30%)
- Optional field-trip module including a preparatory workshop and field-trip to Iceland (10 credits)
Assessment: Modules will be assessed by a mix of presentations (pass/fail) and marked written assignments ranging in format from essays to archival and library exercises, seminar reports, digital content creation (e.g. GIS maps) and historical case studies. There will be no written examinations.
Link: https://www.tcd.ie/tceh/mphil/
Masters in Development Practice
Two years – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: 18 places available
Closing date: 31 July 2020
Established in 2009 following recommendations from the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice, the Global Masters in Development Practice (MDP) is a world-leading and uniquely innovative interdisciplinary graduate degree programme that blends health, natural, social, and management sciences–combined with cross-sectoral field training and professional local and international work-based placements to better understand international development problems and best practices.
The Dublin MDP is a member of this global network of Master’s in Development Practice, headquartered at Columbia University, New York, linking with over 30 universities and hundreds of partner organisations worldwide.
Modules:
- MDP Global Classroom: Foundations of Sustainable Development Practice
- Global Health
- Economics & Policy Analysis
- Statistics & Econometrics
- GIS
- Irish NGO Placements
- Climate Change: Science, Development & Justice
- Globalisation & African Development
- Sustainable Agriculture & Land Use
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Fieldwork
- Civil Engineering for Sustainable Development
- Theories of Development
- Politics of Conflict in Development Practice
- Gender & Development
- Development Economics
- Smart Eco-Cities of the Future
- Impact Measurement
- MDP Dissertation
Link: https://www.tcd.ie/Geography/postgraduate/masters/development-practice/
Environmental Sciences (MSc / PGrad.Dip.)
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: 16 places available
Closing date: 30 June 2020
The taught M.Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences, as the first of its kind in Ireland, has an established pedigree, attracting students with diverse academic backgrounds from Ireland and abroad. This full-time, intensive course is intended for administrative and scientific workers and new graduates with an appropriate environmental science related background, although applications from graduates with different backgrounds are also welcomed. It comprises a series of taught modules encompassing a variety of current environmental themes, followed by a five-month, research project. There is also the possibility to opt for a diploma course in Environmental Sciences, consisting of the taught modules only.
Course Modules include (among others):
- Introduction to Environmental Sciences
- Desk Study
- Environmental Chemical Analysis
- Hydrology and Groundwater Quality n Environmental and Climate Change
- Data Handling and Analysis
- Environmental Policies
- Practical Environmental Skills
- Project Planning
Link: https://www.tcd.ie/Geography/postgraduate/masters/environment-science/
Biodiversity and Conservation (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.)
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: 16 places available
Closing date: 30 June 2020
This programme has been designed to provide students with a sound theoretical and practical grounding in the science of biological diversity and its conservation. The programme is taught in modules, and these are grouped into theoretical components, practical research skills, and modules dealing with individual desk-based and experimental research projects. The course is taught through a variety of methods - lectures, practical classes, field-based learning, guided reading and discussion groups and web-based methods. A variety of assessment procedures are used - essay writing, oral presentations, web-based tests, examinations and dissertations. The approach is to develop, progressively, a high degree of independent thinking and academic excellence in students completing the course.
Following successful completion of the taught part of the course, students embark on a closely supervised research project of approximately three months duration, intended to expand the skills and knowledge base acquired in earlier modules.
Modules:
- Introduction to biodiversity
- Introduction to conservation biology
- Practical environmental assessment
- Human impacts with biodiversity
- Global environmental change
- Data handling and analysis
- Taxonomy, systematic and ID skills
- Overseas field course
- Practical conservation biology
Link: https://www.tcd.ie/Geography/postgraduate/masters/biodiversity-conservation/
Ulster University
Environmental Management (PgDip / MSc.)
Part time distance learning (two years for PgDip; three years for MSc)
Next start date: September 2020 / January 2021
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
Environmental Management techniques are integral to conservation, agriculture, forestry, industry and countryside planning. This online programme is designed both for new graduates who lack professional experience in environment management and, for professionals in the environment sector who wish to develop their careers, updating their knowledge and skills. It aims to satisfy an industrial and public sector demand for environmental scientists.
Link: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/202021/environmental-management-21078
Geographic Information Systems (PgDip / MSc.)
Full time – up to 1 year; PgCert (3-4 months); PgDip (8 months); MSc. (12 months)
Next start date: September 2020 / January 2021
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
With 25 years’ experience of teaching GIS, and nearly 20 years via online distance learning, we have a long and successful track record in GIS education. This course teaches the concepts behind GIS and provides in-depth practice using both commercial and open-source software. You can study either full-time or part-time, and can aim for a Postgraduate Certificate (3-4months), Postgraduate Diploma (8 months) or Masters degree (12 months).
We look at how to obtain, analyse, problem-solve and communicate with maps and spatial data, with modules on GIS, remote sensing, spatial data management and databases, web-GIS and GIS in the commercial environment. Optional modules include GIS work experience, spatial analysis and modelling, GIS for environmental management, and Customising GIS. You will gain extensive hands-on experience: in addition to developing core skills using ArcGIS, you will use a wide range of software including ERDAS Imagine, Excel, SPSS, QGIS, OpenLayers, GeoServer, PostgreSQL and PostGIS, together with GIS extensions, plug-ins and programming languages. If you opt to complete the Masters project you can focus on a topic of your own choosing.
Our graduates have a high success rate in obtaining GIS employment (over 95%, according to graduate surveys). People taking the course who already have GIS work experience say they benefit significantly because the course enables them to broaden, deepen and formalise their knowledge.
Link: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/202021/geographic-information-systems-21074
Environmental Management with Geographic Information Systems (PgDip / MSc.)
Part time distance learning (two years for PgDip; three years for MSc)
Next start date: September 2020 / January 2021
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
The PgDip/MSc programme in Environmental Management with GIS aims to provide an advanced education in Environmental Management. It provides specialist training in Environmental Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Management, Pollution Monitoring and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course aims to teach students the principles and practice of environmental management, the contribution of empirical and case study scientific research, and the manipulation and analysis of spatial environmental data.
Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management (PgDip / MSc.)
Part time distance learning (two years for PgDip; three years for MSc)
Next start date: September 2020 / January 2021
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
With over 30 years’ experience of teaching Environmental Toxicology, and 19 years teaching via online distance learning, the course team has a significant track record in Ecotoxicology education. This course investigates why pollution occurs, what the risks are to both humans and the environment, and what approaches to management we might have.
The specific objectives of the course are to develop an understanding of:
- The general mechanisms of toxicity.
- The basis of setting environmental quality standards.
- The behaviour of contaminants in water, air and soil.
- The legislative controls on contaminants.
- Analysing large datasets using techniques such as Geographic Infomation Systems.
Link: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/202021/environmental-toxicology-and-pollution-monitoring-21076
University College Cork
Applied Coastal and Marine Management
One year – full-time
Next start date: September 2020
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: 15th June 2020
The programme focuses on science (including the social sciences) of Coastal and Marine management and policy-making today.
List of modules:
- Marine Ecology and Conservation (10 ECTs)
- Innovation and Ocean Sustainability (5 ECTs)
- Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (5 ECTs)
- Introduction to Remote Sensing (5 ECTs)
- Coastal and Marine Governance (10 ECTs)
- Coastal and Marine Processes (10 ECTs)
- Coastal and Marine Resource Use Practices (10 ECTs)
- Offshore Environmental Geology (5 ECTs)
- Research Dissertation in Applied Coastal and Marine Management (30 ECTs)
Link: https://www.ucc.ie/en/cke39/
University College Dublin
Our flagship research degree is our structured PhD programme. The structured PhD focuses on the completion of taught modules in conjunction with a research thesis. This has proven to be highly successful and enables our PhD students to achieve the best possible experience of graduate research and training. Making a substantial and original contribution to knowledge, normally leading to peer-reviewed publications remains the core objective of doctoral studies in the School. The School also offers a series of master’s degrees by research in the major disciplinary area of Geography. The normal duration for completion of a master’s degree is 1-2 years.
Taught Masters programmes are offered full-time and part-time. The full-time programmes are one-year in length beginning in September and finishing in the following August. Students must accumulate a total of 90-credits, of which 30-credits are associated with an independent research thesis. In semester 1 of the programme, students will develop a formal research proposal and be assigned a supervisor to oversee the completion of the research project. The part-time option is taken over 2 years and students must accumulate a total of 90-credits, of which 30-credits are associated with an independent research thesis.
Additionally, the MSc Urban Environment and the MSc Geospatial Analysis are offered as 60-credit diplomas. The Diploma option runs from September to the end of May, involves two semesters of taught courses and there is no final thesis. This may be particularly suitable for those returning to study or who wish to undertake Continuing Professional Development to support their personal, academic or career goals.
For further details and links to the official graduate studies pages, please click on the relevant programme name below for further information and to apply for September 2019 entry.
MA Geography
The MA Geography is aimed at students who wish to develop a deeper understanding of key geographical ideas and themes including but not limited to historical geography, environment, and human geography while studying in Ireland. We encourage students to embrace opportunities to develop their critical thinking skills, undertake independent research in an area of specialist interest such as historical geography or other areas of human geography and environment, and enhance their geospatial skills set.
Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/t4media/MA%20Geography%20(2).pdf
MA Geopolitics & the Global Economy
The MA Geopolitics & the Global Economy equips students with an in-depth understanding of international relations, political geography and globalisation. The course includes fieldwork in an overseas location such as Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, or Reykjavik. Students acquire a solid grounding in political geography, geopolitics and the broad fields of globalisation and international relations. Research topics include: Globalisation, Geopolitics, Political Geography, International relations, and World economy.
Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/t4media/MA%20Geopolitics%20and%20the%20Global%20Economy.pdf
MSc Urban Environment
The MSc Urban Environment integrates the perspectives of human and physical geography to explore the resilience and sustainability of urban environments. This is a key element of contemporary urban studies and sustainability and resilience are an important part of urban policy. This thematic approach to urban studies is complemented by developing fieldwork and geospatial skills to enable students to understand the urban environment in practice. The city of Dublin is a key laboratory within which resilience, sustainability and urban policy-making can be interrogated. The key objective of the course is to address the challenge of achieving global sustainability by making resource-efficient, smart and liveable cities.
Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/t4media/MSc%20Urban%20Environment.pdf
MSc Geographies of the Global South
The MSc Geographies of the Global South offers students a critical comprehension of key issues in contemporary geographies of development in the Global South. This understanding is grounded in central theoretical debates in Global South studies, development geography, postcoloniality/decoloniality and development studies. A unique element of the programme is the strong emphasis on gaining applied skills in geo-spatial technologies and a critical understanding of how these tools can be applied to address societal challenges emerging in the Global South relating to development and sustainability. As part of the programme, students will also have the opportunity to focus on Asia or Latin America and will carry out field-based research in either Vietnam or Brazil in collaboration with our partner universities (Hanoi University and Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro) and development organisations operating in the region, including Irish Aid. Semester exchange opportunities with these Global South partner universities are also available. This course is strongly suited to students with career interests in international development.
Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/t4media/MSc%20Geographies%20of%20the%20Global%20South.pdf
MSc Applied Geospatial Analysis
The MSc Applied Geospatial Analysis equips students with practical and applied skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) for social and environmental sciences. It provides them with a solid theoretical, conceptual and methodological understanding of GIS and RS that covers legislative requirements and ethical considerations. The programme includes guest speakers from research and industry, exposing students to potential career opportunities in the area. The focus of the programme is on gaining applied skills on spatial data management, visualization, analysis and interpretation within the wider context of sustainable development. Students will have the opportunity to tailor the application of geospatial technologies to their research and career needs from a range of subject areas.
Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/t4media/MSc%20Applied%20Geospatial%20Analysis.pdf
MSc in Demographic and Population Analytics
The MSc in Demographic and Population Analytics is the first of its kind in Ireland. The interdisciplinary programme provides students with an opportunity to study population issues in a research-led environment, with a focus on applying learning to real-world scenarios. Upon graduation, students will have the technical and substantive know-how to fill a large and important gap in an increasingly competitive global economy. They will offer the first cohort of demographers with expertise in population studies/demographic analysis, which is at the core of future public policy and planning.
Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/t4media/download%20(18).pdf
Coming soon…
Two new taught masters in September 2020
MSc in Risk, Resilience and Sustainability
The MSc In Risk, Resilience and Sustainability offers students a critical comprehension of Risk, Resilience and Sustainability, three keywords of our time. Risk permeates our day-to-day lives. Concepts such as ‘critical infrastructure’ underpin government initiatives to prepare, and manage for, global challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, ecological uncertainty, and extreme social inequity. Geography as a discipline offers expertise in the environment (e.g. hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones, floods and other environmental hazards) and the societal dimensions of risk, resilience and sustainability and is well placed to offer an interdisciplinary framework through these paradigms.
Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/t4media/MSc%20in%20Risk,%20Resilience%20and%20Sustainability%20Flyer.pdf
MSc Critical Geographies: Power and Inequality
The MSc Critical Geographies: Power and Inequality will offer students a robust critical analysis of power relations and inequalities that define our contemporary and past worlds, in search of improved futures. This Masters offers a unique opportunity to engage with critical geographies, as the only taught Masters of its kind globally. It offers hands-on, in the field learning with a choice of field trips, including a Global South option. The programme seeks to work with students to engage and use their understandings and experiences in ways that develop their analytical, intellectual and practical skills.
UCD also supply a list of possible master’s thesis topics according to the lecturers research areas: Link: http://www.ucd.ie/geography/study/graduateprogrammes/mastersthesistopics/
University of Limerick
MSc in Sustainable Resource Management: Policy and Practice
One year – full-time
Next start date: Not stated
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
This one-year MSc programme is distinctive in several important ways. While we recognise the major environmental and sustainability challenges facing us, the main focus is not on the challenges themselves, which are well known, but rather on actions we can take to reduce the threats and enhance our resilience. Students come from a wide variety of countries and disciplines but share a common interest in a desire to learn what has been done, and what might be done, to address these challenges. All the modules are taught by active researchers and experiences practitioners. The first semester provided by National University Ireland Galway has a focus on rural landscapes and focuses on practical methods to meet challenges in managing land and habitats to maintain essential ecosystem services and biodiversity. The second semester offered by University of Limerick focuses on urban areas, sustainable transport, industrial waste management and quantitative methods of assessing sustainability. In the third semester students have the opportunity to select a research topic which is based in either campus. On completion graduates receive a parchment jointly awarded by both universities. Graduates find relevant and interesting employment in many arenas, including conservation, business and industry, local authorities and consultancy companies.
Students who undertake this course will:
- develop a technical and scientific understanding of sustainability issues and problems associated with management of resource use and management in relation to (a) urban form and function and (b) landscape evaluation and management for conservation.
- comprehend a range of policy responses in relation to enhancement of sustainability in Irish urban and rural settings and selected international case studies.
- synthesise an understanding of the complexity of both natural and socio-economic-natural systems, together with an understanding of existing and innovatory sustainability policy options, to develop a competency in identifying and evaluating optimal policy options.
Link: https://www.ul.ie/gps/course/sustainable-resource-management-policy-practice-msc
Waterford Institute of Technology
MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering
One year – full-time
Next start date: Not stated
Average intake of students: Not stated
Closing date: Not stated
This programme has been designed to facilitate professionals practicing in the areas of building design, management and technology. Its’ purpose is to provide expertise in terms of; energy use, environmental performance and sustainability in the design and operation of buildings and their associated facilities and services systems.
The programme will focus on Sustainable and Low energy building design; Building energy performance and analysis; Dynamic thermal simulation; Low and zero carbon heat and power generation technologies; Energy policy and legislation; Energy auditing; Facilities management and Building pathology and investigation.
The knowledge, skills and competencies that participants will gain are relevant to their career development. This programme is developed to meet the Level 9 criteria as set out by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI). The treatment of all programme subjects will encourage the development of powers of analysis, of synthesis and of communication.
This will be achieved by building upon both the undergraduate studies and postgraduate experience of participants to develop a broader understanding of low energy building design and management. In addition, the selection of a research topic for a dissertation will allow the student to concentrate on one or more of these directions.
The Masters degree requires successful completion of twelve mandatory modules. The student must also complete an applied programme consisting of a Research Dissertation and an Industrial Research seminar series.
Course Codes:
The full-time and part-time modes have different course codes so please ensure you use the correct code when applying: * WD554: MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering (Full-Time) + WD556: MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering (Part-Time)
Link: https://www.wit.ie/courses/msc_in_sustainable_energy_engineering_part_time
So that’s it folks.
Best of luck in your search for the course that suits your geographical path best. We look forward to meeting you in the future.
If you are looking for more information on the Postgraduate and Early Career Researchers Network, please connect with us here: https://pecnireland.wordpress.com/