About the programme
Through this research Masters you will be able to explore a specialist research topic supported by advanced level course-based training in research theory and methods, as well as enjoy one-on-one supervision from expert scholars in the field of human geography.
Is Human Geography for you?
- Are you interested in the relationship between society and environment?
- Do you want to know how to understand the cultural values that shape the way we view nature?
- How can we intervene in a world that is spatially and socially divided between those who have and those who do not?
- How do we chart the complex geographies of a mobile world?
These are just some examples of the kinds of questions core to the work of Human Geographers. They are the kinds of questions that our MSc by Research (Human Geography) trains you to investigate and answer.
Areas of research
The research may be in any area of social, urban, environmental, development, political, economic, historical or cultural geography supported by the Human Geography Research Group. The degree is co-delivered with the Graduate School of Social and Political Science.
We welcome students who wish to pursue a specialist research topic of their own choosing (subject to approval). We also encourage prospective students to view the Human Geography Research Group's list of suggested topics.
The degree is a recognised by both the ESRC and the AHRC, and has a flexible internal structure to accommodate the specialist research training needs of students. It can be taken as a stand-alone Masters, or as Year One training in a (1+3) PhD programme.
Programme objectives
The course-based research training covers a range of skills, including:
- advanced methodologies in social science and/or humanities (in particular human geography applications)
- general research design and management
- transferable skills relevant to the successful design, execution and dissemination of advanced human geography research
Students completing this degree will be equipped to make a critical and methodologically appropriate contribution to Human Geography, other cognate fields of social or environmental science, as well as geographical problem-solving for a range of user communities.
The core courses are delivered by the Human Geography Research Group of the School of GeoSciences, working in conjunction with the Graduate School of Social and Political Science, and other relevant delivery units in the University. The modes of delivery of different components have been designed around three key considerations:
- Methods and methods training ought not to be abstracted from its epistemological or theoretical contexts;
- Training must enhance the capacity of the researcher to do his/her job;
- Training must be responsive to the student's own research and its dissemination to appropriate audiences.
Training is delivered via a mix of small group teaching, discussions, seminars, lectures, practical sessions and via formal assessments which are related to overall concerns and to the students' research interests.
Please contact us with any enquiries.
- Lynne McGillivray
- Programme Secretary
- University of Edinburgh
- Room 2.11, Geography Building
- Drummond Street
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9XP
- Work: +44 (0) 131 650 2543
- Fax: +44 (0) 131 650 2524
This article was published on Jan 19, 2012