Geography

Why study Geography at Dundee?

As a geographer at Dundee you will learn how to apply your knowledge in order to analyse and solve a wide range of environmental, social and regional problems. You will be taught by lecturers who received the highest possible scores from the National Student Survey 2010. We were ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction and 100% of our students were satisfied with the teaching on their course.

The geography degree course at Dundee is highly flexible. Depending on your interests and the combinations of subjects you want to take, you can study geography for an MA or for a BSc. In addition to a wide range of joint Honours degrees there are also specific degree pathways in geography and planning and, for those interested in political issues in a global context, geopolitics and international relations.

What's so good about Geography at Dundee?

Field Trips

You will also have the opportunity to study geography in an international context. There are many opportunities to participate in field trips to international locations such as California, New York and Spain as well as expeditions to Iceland and the Italian Alps.

Study abroad

You can also spend between one semester and a whole academic year studying abroad either in Europe (on the Erasmus exchange programme or North America on our Transatlantic Student Exchange scheme.

Amy Ross is a geography student who blogged about the year she spent in Spain, at the Universidad de Granada (2010-2011).

Extracurricular activities

The opportunities for students to get to know each other and the staff through field excursions and other project work means that Geography has a well earned reputation for being one of the most friendly subjects to study.

The Geography and Environmental Science Society (GESS) provides a lively and informal focus for student social activities, while the Dundee branch of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society provides an excellent programme of talks about expeditions and journeys to exotic locations which many students attend.

In addition, many of our own students regularly organise their own expeditions to different parts of the world. In recent years several groups of students have successfully raised the money and gained sponsorship to travel to Iceland, where they have carried out field work for their dissertations.

Degree Combinations

Teaching & Assessment

This course is taught by the Geography team, based in the School of the Environment.

In terms of teaching, you will be in a unit which received the highest possible scores for its academic standards, teaching and learning, student progression and learning resources when it was last reviewed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education.

Indeed, the QAA commented that "Geography has the benefit of a staff base whose expertise in both teaching and learning is informed by the highest scholarship". And, as the QAA also emphasised, Geography provides a very friendly and supportive environment for its students who enjoy the fact that staff are approachable and accessible.

Careers

A recent study by the Royal Geographical Society showed that, compared with other subjects, geographers are among the most employable because they develop the kinds of skills and knowledge that employers value such as communication, problem solving and analysis.

Some of our students go into careers which are linked to geography in fields like development, the environment, hydrology, tourism, planning and computing. Others enter more general fields, like management and administration, marketing or finance.

Geography at Dundee also has its own employers forum which provides careers advice for students as well as guidance on developing the geography degree in ways suited to what employers are looking for in new graduates.

Postgraduate study

Further study is available by taking one of our postgraduate Masters programmes.

Entry Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Courses starting September 2013

MA / BSc Level 1 entry

MA / BSc Advanced Entry (to Level 2)

Other Qualifications

Joint Honours Degrees

For details of typical entry requirements for Joint Honours degrees, please visit the relevant webpage for the other subject.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

• Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
• Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
• As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

UCAS Application Process

International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

• Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
• Fees and Funding
• English Language Requirements
• International Student Support

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

The Dundee MA degrees follow the distinctive pattern of many Scottish universities by offering a broad-based education that requires you to study a number of different subjects in Levels 1 and 2 (Level 2 only for the Advanced Entry Honours degrees).

You do not have to finalise your choice of degree course until you are better able to appreciate both the nature of the subjects you are studying and the relationships between them. However, you must make an initial choice of course on the application form and we would expect you to provide some evidence of your enthusiasm for your chosen course and details of any relevant experience.

We use a range of learning methods at Dundee: you will be expected to respond to the information and advice provided by academic staff, especially in lectures; to prepare for and participate in tutorial discussion or to work in practical classes; to work individually or in groups on set assignments such as essays and projects; and to 'read round' the subject. Consequently, we are looking for evidence that you are capable of working systematically, of responding to the guidance of your teachers, and that you have both the ability and enthusiasm to successfully complete a degree programme.

Geography at Dundee provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject at university level which is suitable both for those with well developed backgrounds in geography and those who may be newer to the subject. Applicants to the Advanced Entry Honours degree programme should demonstrate that they have a strong background and proven ability in the study of Geography.

A degree in Geography develops practical research skills, critical thinking and field-based competencies and so an ability to demonstrate experience or a strong interest in these areas is an advantage. We offer alternatives to fieldtrips where necessary for those with disabilities. Strong interpersonal, team working and communication skills are also important to the successful study of Geography and should be demonstrated in the application. The Geography programme is highly regarded by employers in terms of the development of transferable skills among graduates.

Tips for your application

What is important to us, in your application, is the evidence provided by the grades you have attained, or are predicted to attain, in your examinations, along with whatever you and your referee can point to indicating both your special interest in any of our subject areas, and your general liveliness of mind.

Your personal statement is an opportunity to say why you should be offered a place to study in Dundee. We are looking for applicants with an ability to express opinions clearly with reasoned support and evidence, who are open to critical guidance, and who have a commitment to high standards of achievement in all they do. These qualities can be demonstrated through academic attainment, paid or voluntary work, and extra-curricular activities of all kinds.

Referees should concisely indicate your analytical abilities, communication skills, capacity for academic work, and commitment to your studies. We will be interested to hear about examples of initiative, leadership, and any evidence of organisational skills. Indicators of a positive outlook and engagement with social and cultural activities will be welcome, as will an assessment of your potential to develop in the university environment.

We will consider applications to one or more MA courses at Dundee: each application will be considered on its merits. We are looking for applicants who either have achieved, or will achieve, the published requirements in terms of Highers, Advanced Highers, A-Levels or acceptable alternative qualifications.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in 3 years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact: