Overview

Human geography is a dynamic discipline that has a profound influence on current debates in the social sciences and humanities. Human geographers focus on the relationships between space and society, particularly the interconnection between environment, place and identity; knowledge; globalisation processes; social justice; and a variety of other vital themes relevant to the contemporary world.

This programme provides you with a rigorous grounding in social theory and mainstream debates and techniques in human geography. It also offers a thorough training in qualitative and quantitative methods. Options allow for the development of specialisms in historical-cultural themes, postcolonial and decolonial geographies, spatial modelling, and debates surrounding environmental conflict and science and technology.

You will join a School ranked first in the UK for 'Geography and environmental studies' research (THE analysis of REF 2021). This programme is closely linked to the University's Cabot Institute, which brings together multidisciplinary research into all aspects of global environmental change.

Programme structure

The programme has two mandatory units, which introduce the key ideas and techniques that thread through the optional units, and help prepare you for the dissertation in the summer. This leaves four optional units (three for ESRC-funded students) and there is a wide range of choice, providing the opportunity to shape this master's to suit your research interests.

If you are an ESRC-funded student, there is one further mandatory unit designed to demonstrate your research training.

There are some stipulations regarding the order of options students may take in each year.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Human Geography: Society and Space.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, International Relations, Politics, Cultural Studies, English Literature, Architecture, History, Environmental Humanities or any degree within the Social Sciences.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

  • evidence of significant, relevant work experience;
  • a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£13,100 per year
UK: part-time (two years)
£6,550 per year
Overseas: full-time
£28,800 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

This programme equips you for a career in high-level public research, business or the creative industries, and provides outstanding academic training for prospective PhD students and those seeking a master's-level qualification.

Graduates from this programme have progressed to a variety of careers, including journalism and writing, urban and town planning, housing justice, food poverty initiatives, creating startup businesses, the third sector and research. Around 40% of our graduates go on to pursue further research training, for example through a PhD.