About This Course
Our MGeog degree is like our BA/BSc Geography programmes except it has an additional fourth year of study that allows you to specialise in an area of geography that particularly interests you through your dissertation project. You will also undertake a work placement in your fourth year that will help you develop those key employability skills to help you successfully navigate the world of graduate employment. You will also be able to select some additional modules, either human, physical or environmentally focused to complete your studies.
You can choose from the same set of modules as the BA (L700) and BSc (F800) Geography programmes during your first three years. You can select ones that are more human or physically focused, or even ones that reflect the interdisciplinarity nature of geography.
Field work is an integral part of this degree, and there will be lots of opportunity to get outside and learn valuable skills locally, alongside residential trips in the UK and Europe. You can study or work abroad if you participate in our International Experience Year. This degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degrees contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills and prepare you to address the needs of the world beyond higher education.
BA/BSc or MGeog? You can decide to opt onto the BA/BSc Geography programmes at the start of your third year if you change your mind.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- TV presenter Steve Backshall is now part of our teaching team.
- Half and full-day field trips taking advantage of our location, which is set against the backdrop of the dramatic north Wales coastline, Menai Strait, and the mountains of Snowdonia National Park.
- Strong links with organisations: Forestry Commission, Natural England, the Snowdonia National Park Authority, Natural Resources Wales, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Welsh Water, Environment Agency. Some contribute to teaching and provide placements opportunities.
- We have a Geographical Information Systems Suite.
Course Content
Your learning will take place in a range of different settings from lectures, laboratory work and field courses to seminars and small-group tutorials. Seminars provide the opportunity for you to discuss and analyse new material, ideas and concepts with other students and your tutor. Small-group tutorials may be structured around study skills development or problem solving, and give you the opportunity to ask questions, raise issues or explore material taught in lectures. You will have access to our virtual learning environment, which hosts learning resources, course documents and lecture capture recordings (where available) for your modules. Your studies also involve a considerable amount of independent study.
You will study 120 credits in each year. This degree is constructed of a number of modules some compulsory, and others optional. You will be assessed in a combination of ways: coursework; essays; presentations; reports; projects/dissertations; examinations; and practical tasks. Some assessments may involve group work. Assessment methods for modules are generally split 60/40 for coursework and exams.
What will you study on this course?
Year 1 and 2
The first year focuses on key knowledge and skills, building on your Geography A-level. You are also able to switch between BA and BSc courses at the end of the first year if you wish. The second year will provide you with deeper subject knowledge, introduce you to specialist techniques and fieldwork skills, and developing your own research.
Year 3
Your third year provides more specialised knowledge and skills in the areas of Geography that interest you. You can choose from a range of modules that are aligned to either arts or science themes, and which focus on the human and physical aspects of geography.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake advanced field skills and training is available through our optional Year 3 field courses to Tenerife or Northeast Spain (Barcelona).
Year 4
The fourth year of our MGeog programme is mainly focused on your own research allowing you to delve deeper into the subjects depending on your interests, undertake work-based learning and provide a deeper understanding of geographical approaches. The fourth year allows you to further your studies in physical/environmental geography, or human geography depending on your interests.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Geography Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Facilities
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Careers
Our graduates are highly employable and are in demand due to their sought-after skills of project management, teamwork and communication. as well as the subject knowledge you develop during your studies. You will graduate with a widely respected degree that opens a wide variety of career prospects. Our graduates have been recruited by a variety of organisations, including: Natural Resources Wales, Network Rail, DHL, Airbus Defence and Space, National Grid, Ordnance Survey, Economic and Social Research Council, local government, independent environmental consultancies. A Geography degree also provide the foundation for further postgraduate study and research. You could also enhance your employability by registering for the Bangor Employability Award while you are here.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)
With the BEA, you can gain recognition for your extra-curricular activities (e.g. volunteering, clubs and societies, part-time work, etc.)
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about the volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
EXPLORE MORE IN GEOGRAPHY
Geography is the subject of our time, dynamic and constantly evolving as the world around us changes. Our courses offer the opportunity to study a broad range of human, physical and environmental topics, but also to become well-trained in a range of research methods (field and laboratory).
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
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