| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-06-30 | - |
Program Overview
The PG Diploma in Geography at Maynooth University equips students with the knowledge and skills to critically analyze societal and environmental challenges from a geographical perspective. Through a blend of classroom learning, fieldwork, and research projects, students gain hands-on experience with mixed research methods, including GIS and remote sensing. Graduates are prepared for careers in education, administration, services, creative industries, NGOs, and local government authorities.
Program Outline
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN GEOGRAPHY
Degree Overview:
The PG Diploma in Geography is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and competence to critically analyze contemporary societal and environmental challenges from a geographical perspective. Students will be introduced to cutting-edge research in human and physical geography for which Maynooth geographers are internationally recognized, including in the areas of climate change, urban development, and migration. Through a combination of classroom learning, fieldwork, and research projects, students will gain hands-on experience with mixed research methods appropriate for geographically-informed research, including GIS and remote sensing. This program also offers opportunities for students to collaborate with civil society and government partners, learning about the ethical and practical demands of such collaborative research. Specifically designed for educators seeking to teach geography at the secondary level, the program exposes students to the most recent research and pedagogical approaches in the field. It equips students with the basic requirement of 15 credits of physical and 15 credits in human geography.
Outline:
The PG Diploma in Geography is delivered through a blended learning approach, including lectures, seminars, fieldwork, practicals, projects, and online modules. The program offers a wide selection of modules to choose from, reflecting the breadth of the discipline and allowing students to specialize based on their interests and schedules. Students work with the course director to create a program reflecting their specific needs.
Structure:
- Total credits: 60
- Full-time duration: 1 year
- Part-time duration: 2 years
Modules:
The program consists of 60 credits, with a combination of compulsory and optional modules.
Compulsory Modules (20 credits):
- Field School (10 credits): This module provides students with hands-on experience in conducting field research, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Global Environmental Change 1 and 2 (5 credits each): These modules explore the human and physical dimensions of global environmental change, covering topics such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.
Optional Modules (40 credits):
Students can choose from a wide range of optional modules, allowing them to tailor the program to their interests and career aspirations. Some possible options include:
- Thinking Geographically (10 credits)
- Spatial Justice: Geographies of Social & Environmental Change (10 credits)
- Public Engagement (10 credits)
- Understanding Digital Society (10 credits)
- Approaches to Human Geography (5 credits)
- Geographies of Waste (5 credits)
- City in Film (5 credits)
- Geographical Information Systems (5 credits)
- Oceanography (5 credits)
- Global Ecosystem Pressures and Sustainability (5 credits)
- Climate Change (5 credits)
Assessment:
All modules are 100% continuously assessed, with a range of assessment types such as academic essays, field research journals, applied research projects, mapping projects, blogs, field-based reports, individual and group presentations, and other exercises.
Teaching:
The program is taught by a team of experienced and dedicated academics who are actively involved in research and scholarship. The teaching methods employ a variety of approaches, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, and individual consultations. The program also emphasizes experiential learning through field trips, research projects, and guest lectures by practitioners from various sectors.
Careers:
The skills and knowledge gained from the PG Diploma in Geography prepare graduates for a wide range of careers, including:
- Education
- Administration
- Services
- Creative Industries
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Local government authorities
Other:
The program also offers students the opportunity to participate in the Maynooth University Global Experience program, which provides opportunities for students to study or undertake internships abroad.
Entry Requirements:
NFQ Level 8 or Equivalent Honours Degree in Geography or Related Disciplines:
Students should normally have earned an upper 2.2 or above (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent honours degree) in Geography (either subject degree in Geography or overall) or related disciplines.
Personal Statement:
A personal statement is required for the Director to consider applicants with relevant academic, work, or professional experience if they come from a background other than the social sciences and/or if they earned a 2.2 mark.
Recognized Primary Degree (NFQ Level 8 or Equivalent Honours Degree):
Applicants must have a recognized primary degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent honours degree) equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.
Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements:
For Applicants Whose First Language is Not English:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate their proficiency in English to benefit fully from their course of study. The specified requirements are applicable for both EU and international applicants. Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
Minimum English Language Requirements:
- For Applicants Whose First Language is Not English: Applicants for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate their proficiency in English to benefit fully from their course of study. Accepted English language tests and required scores are available on the Maynooth University English Language Requirements page. The requirements are applicable for both EU and international applicants. Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850.
