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    Human Geography and Sustainability Research - MA

    Mode of study
    Full time, Part time
    Start date
    September 2021
    Duration of Study
    1 Year Full-time / 2 years Part-time
    Subject Area
    Environment, Natural Sciences
    FEES (2021/22 academic year)
    UK - FT £8,000 / PT £4,400
    International - £16,000

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    • Programme specifications

    Course Overview

    This Master's programme in Human Geography and Sustainability Research provides you with advanced-level skills in human geography and sustainability-related research for a career in the public, private and/or voluntary and community sector. It delivers high quality postgraduate training, enabling you to pursue a PhD in human geography or environmental studies.

    About the course

    The MA in Human Geography and Sustainability Research provides students with advanced-level skills in human geography and sustainability-related research for a career in the public, private and / or voluntary and community sector. This includes positions with national and local government, other public bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), private sector consultancies and research and policy institutes. It also delivers high quality postgraduate training to students wishing to pursue a PhD in human geography or sustainability and environmental studies.
     
    The programme is distinctive in three ways. First, it brings together expertise in Human Geography and Sustainability-related research to provide a truly interdisciplinary approach focused around equipping students with the necessary methodological skills to investigate key societal problems and their resolution. Second, through providing both subject-specific and broader social science training, the MA provides students with a wide-ranging set of research competencies which can be utilised in a range of academic, policy and practice- based settings. Third, in developing research skills and knowledge of human geography, sustainability and the environment, the MA is compliant (subject to approval) with the research training requirements for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) PhD scholarships (commonly termed +3), and is also suitable as the master's year as part of an ESRC scholarship award that covers both the master's and PhD (commonly termed a 1+3 award).
     
    One third of the course (60 credits) involves students following a number of new subject-specific research training modules in Human Geography and Sustainability, including a focus on contemporary key themes in human geography and sustainability, advanced methods in human geography and sustainability and a 'research traineeship', whereby students will have the opportunity to get 'hands on' real world research experience working with a research mentor on a live research project. Such modules will be delivered by internationally recognised experts from within the School of Geography, Geology and Environment.
     
    A further 60 credits involves students studying alongside other social science postgraduates at Keele University to develop advanced qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis skills, as well as exploring approaches to research design and the philosophy of the social sciences. The remaining element of the course involves students undertaking an extended independent research project of their choice (60 credits) and which allows students to develop and apply skills generated during the taught component of the programme and to focus on a topic of interest to them.
     
    The programme will be suitable for those considering doctoral (PhD) study or looking to work in the public, private or third sectors, for example, social or market research; social and health care; local and national government; or charitable and community organisations. It will be equally valuable to people already working in these sectors who wish to update or develop their social research skills.

    Course structure

    The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are subject to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information provided here is indicative of the modules you can expect on the course, subject to change.

    How the course is taught

    Each module involves around 24-hours of scheduled contact time taught in 5 or 10-week blocks in the first two semesters (October-December and January-May). The third semester (June-September) is dedicated to completing your independent research project in which you will work closely with your assigned supervisor. 

    Course content is delivered via a range of learning activities, from lectures to group work and one-to-one supervision. Each module is accompanied by independent study hours where you are required to undertake independent reading to consolidate your learning and to broaden individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.

    How you'll be assessed

    The programme is assessed through a broad range of methods, including a research proposal, essays, project reports, presentations, extended literature reviews, mock funding/ethics applications etc. These enable assessment of your analytical abilities, and of your ability to evaluate particular debates, material, and evidence.

    You must pass all the taught modules before you proceed to the dissertation. This is the final assessment on the programme and brings together your modular learning in the development and implementation of a significant piece of original research guided by your supervisor. The successful acceptance of your dissertation of around 20,000 words leads to the award of an MA in Human Geography and Sustainability Research.

    Module Assessment Methods:

    Key themes in Human Geography and Sustainability - Assessment
    • 5000 word systematic literature review focused on key concepts / debates introduced within the module.
    • Students will choose from a number of titles.
    • Students will be expected to select a particular research topic in discussion with relevant staff members involved with teaching the module.
    • They will then write a detailed systematic literature review on key figures, ongoing debates and theories, concepts and methods associated with the specified area of geographical and / or sustainability-related research.
    • The overall intention is that the work informs their independent research project.
    Advanced Methods in Human Geography and Sustainability - Assessment
    • Draft Ethics Application relevant to proposed research project (2000 words) 40%.
    • 3000 word critical review of range of advanced research methods (including research project design) in human geography and sustainability and their applicability to the research dissertation.
    Advanced traineeships in Human Geography and Sustainability - Assessment
    • 5000 word written report All reports will follow the structure outlined below.
    • Project Outline (500-750 words)
    • Research Report (3500-4000 words)
    • The report may take the form of a full or partial research report, a systematic literature review, a grant proposal or an ethics application.
    • Reflection (500-750 words)
    • In this section the student will reflect on what they have gained as a result of the traineeship. It will be important for the student to be specific, realistic and evaluative when reflecting on their experiences.
    Dissertation - Assessment
    • A 20,000 word Dissertation.
    • In consultation with a personal supervisor, students independently design and implement an empirical research project based within the discipline of human geography and sustainability.
    • The dissertation is the full report of their work and outlines the specific research problem, a critical review of the literature, the research design, and discussion of the research methods.
    • It also presents research findings and a conclusion.

    Entry Requirements

    Academic entry requirements

    Applicants should be graduates with an Honours degree (2.1 or above) in a relevant social science subject. However, applicants from different backgrounds who believe they have the capacity to undertake postgraduate work in the social sciences should contact us to discuss their situation.

    Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to view our available projects on our website, then contact and discuss research options with the Keele University staff member listed for the research area/topic of interest before making an official application. In your application documents, state clearly your preferred subject area or specific project, including potential supervisor, and your motivation and background for carrying out a project in a particular area. Please contact us if you would like to discuss options. Acceptance on the course is subject to having an agreed research project and project supervisor.

    English language entry requirement for international students

    IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.

    If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

    During your degree programme you can study additional English language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.

    Funding

    Some costs may be incurred dependent on the project: any such costs will be discussed with the student before the project is confirmed. It will be possible for the student to select an internal project and that would not incur any additional travel costs. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.

    Living costs

    Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

    Scholarships and Funding

    We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information

    Our expertise

    The School of Geography, Geology and Environment has been ranked 1st in the UK for Student Satisfaction in Human Geography (NSS 2019), Top 20 for Environmental Sciences (NSS, 2019) and is ranked 11th out of 70 best UK universities for geography and environmental studies and with 98% of research in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, rated as internationally recognised.

    Subject-specific training is provided by internationally recognised experts from the ‘Responsibility and Resilience’ research group within the school. Human Geography receives research funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, The Leverhulme Trust, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Cancer Research UK, amongst others. Keele University has been scored among the top 4% of universities in the world for sustainability in a global ranking of over 900 universities. 

    The MA in Human Geography and Sustainability Research is taught across two different international faculties at Keele with a wide range of expertise in human geography and sustainability-related research theories and methodologies, as well as broader social science research methods. You are invited to review supervisory specialisms on the School of Geography, Geology and Environment web pages before contacting the Programme Director to discuss your application.

    This MA will function as an ESRC-recognised pathway (subject to approval) within the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership giving eligibility for ESRC PhD funding.

    Facilities

    The course will be taught through a combination of insitu and online approaches, including the use of state-of-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL) on Keele campus.

    Careers

    This programme is suitable for those considering doctoral (PhD) study or looking to work in the public, private or third sectors, for example, social or market research; social and health care; local and national government; or charitable and community organisations. It is equally valuable if you are already working in these sectors and wish to update or develop your social research skills.

    The University has a Careers and Employability team who can provide you with advice and guidance about your future career. The team offer specialist workshops and can also meet you individually to give guidance and support to help you develop your career.  We also hold regular careers fairs on campus and informal events where you can meet employers. You will also have access to our database of job opportunities and digital resources such as online psychometric testing.  

     
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