Skip to main content

Geography

MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip

Book open days Get prospectus Contact us

Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:

October 2026

Study route:

MA, PG Dip

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • One year full-time, online
  • One year full-time, flexible learning
  • Two years part-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, online
  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

PG Cert

  • One year part-time, on campus
  • One year part-time, online
  • One year part-time, flexible learning
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

On this wide-ranging geography course you will have the opportunity to examine how physical landscapes, cultural identities and spatial inequalities intersect and shape one another. Delivered by experts drawn together by a strong concern with social and environmental justice, this course is ideal if you are passionate about understanding and transforming a rapidly changing world.

  • Why choose this course?
    • You will study with internationally recognised experts who are defining the field with groundbreaking research that directly informs their teaching. This helps create a lively, stimulating environment and helps you gain pivotal knowledge to develop a career in the sector.
    • You can design your own pathway through this course choosing from a diverse range of modules spanning environmental, social and urban geography, as well as development studies and geographic data science.
    • You will have the opportunity to join an optional, small-group fieldtrip to Dakar, Senegal, where you will conduct independent research and engage with local academics and NGOs to explore globalisation, urbanisation and development in context.
    • You can also take advantage of our London location through an optional fieldtrip module centred on the River Thames, offering a unique opportunity to explore the critical infrastructures that underpin the sustainable development of this global city.

  • What will I learn?

    In discussion with the course director you will plan a bespoke, coherent course of study which reflects your interests and professional ambitions. You will be able to choose from modules designed to respond to contemporary issues, including the climate and ecological emergency, cities and urbanisation, poverty and inequality, cultural change, nationalism, identity, gender, migration and international development.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is taught via a combination of lectures and group seminars. Lectures include pre-recorded sessions and are designed to engage you with an overview of the topic. Seminars provide you with an opportunity to contribute to live discussion or group work, with material set in advance. You will benefit from a mix of classroom and field-based teaching bringing you together with other students to build your social and professional networks and develop important skills in data collection and analysis.

    It is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening. We offer the course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. For the Diploma and Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation. They are ideal if you are interested in studying at postgraduate level for personal or professional reasons, but don't yet want to commit to a full MSc. 

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, plus some weekend classes, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, plus some weekend classes, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • You will be surrounded by committed fellow students from all cultures, backgrounds and career stages, who share their experience and expertise with their peers. Many of our students work in areas under discussion and so can bring their experience to bear in discussions about theory and practice.
  • We thrive on the breadth of research interests of our staff in this area offering a wide range of postgraduate courses in geography, as well as allowing our students to engage with other disciplines such as anthropology and international development. We offer multiple approaches to the study of societies and cultures, human geography, and sustainability, poverty and development, as well as community and citizenship, at local, regional and global levels.
  • We are proud of our vibrant research culture, powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students. We have a strong commitment to social justice, which is demonstrated in much of our research.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

Visit the school

Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Fit a master's around your schedule
Choose Birkbeck today

Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students, Year 1: £5,670 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2: £1,890 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £10,425 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2: £3,475 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students, Year 1: £5,670 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2: £1,890 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £10,425 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2: £3,475 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students, Year 1: £5,670 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2: £1,890 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £10,425 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2: £3,475 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this postgraduate geography course you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

  • research design and project management
  • academic writing
  • critical evaluation
  • communication skills
  • discussion and collaboration
  • analytical thinking.

Graduates can pursue career paths in business, the legal sector, community organising, consultancy, environmental management, central and local government, policy work, and in environmental groups and charities. Possible professions include:

  • geographical information systems officer
  • nature conservation officer
  • policy researcher
  • environmental consultant
  • planning and development surveyor
  • town planner
  • market researcher
  • tourism officer.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

Related courses

Study routes for Geography (MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time