The University of Edinburgh
Geography MA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 40 graduates of Geography MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Human Geography.

Overall student satisfaction
86 /100
40 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Human Geography at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26500 £26000 £29000
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £32000 £19500 - £33000 £23500 - £41500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25503 £25946 £31907
25-75 percentile range £21993 - £29503 £21407 - £31949 £25423 - £41399

Course Description

Do you have a keen interest in cultures and societies?

Are you curious about the relationship between politics and the environment?

Then geography may be for you.

What is geography?

Geography is the study of the way the world works. You can explore the physical processes of our planet, such as:

  • volcanoes
  • flooding
  • climate change

You can also address human issues such as:

  • sustainability
  • health
  • social justice

You can explore geography:

  • as a natural science through physical geography, or
  • via the social sciences and humanities, through human geography

Understanding geography is becoming increasingly important in today's world. Our planet, and humanity, face some of the biggest challenges we have ever known.

Making a difference starts here. Are you ready?

What will I learn?

The Master of Arts (MA) Geography enables you to specialise in human geography. It is key to understanding and resolving many of society's most pressing problems.

Human geographers study many different aspects of the modern world, including:

  • public health
  • deprivation
  • urban justice
  • indigenous struggles
  • land rights
  • migration
  • mobility
  • climate emergency

We will learn about the relationships between people and their social, cultural, political, and economic worlds.

You will also study aspects of physical geography. We believe it is important to understand the ways we live in the world, as well as our impact upon it.

This degree is flexible. You will be able to build your degree around topics you are curious or passionate about.

Open to a world of possibilities

We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geographers, Earth and environmental scientists in the UK. Many of them are world experts in their field. Our staff will incorporate the latest research in your teaching, and share our discoveries with you.

Join us and help tackle today's greatest challenges.

  • We are 15th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • We are ranked 17th in the world and 6th in the UK for geography in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.
  • Enjoy access to a world of experience with our research and industry networks.
  • Get advice and guidance with our dedicated careers service.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Geography MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

20% Business and public service associate professionals
15% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Secretarial and related occupations
10% Media Professionals
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Administrative occupations
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Legal professionals
5% Finance Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Geography, MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Geography MA (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £34800 year 1
International £34800 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Edinburgh in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #1 
    • #19 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #3 
    • #33 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #38 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

See all 40 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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