Key Information

Full-time

4 years

Typical Offer

View

Department

Department of Geography

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Subject to Revalidation

Fees

View

UCAS Code

F802

Course Code

GEOGEOUM

MGeog Geography

This course is designed for those seeking to develop their analytical and research skills further and increase their knowledge and expertise in a particular area of Geography, and offers the opportunity to undertake projects and fieldwork in the UK and overseas.

Peace of mind guaranteed. Find out more about our Guaranteed Place Scheme.

Key Information

Full-time

4 years

Typical Offer

View

Department

Department of Geography

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Subject to Revalidation

Fees

View

UCAS Code

F802

Course Code

GEOGEOUM

Professor Edward Hanna - Programme Leader

Professor Edward Hanna - Programme Leader

Edward Hanna is a Professor of Climate Science and Meteorology. Edward's specialisms include climate change, Greenland Ice Sheet mass balance, meteorology, and North Atlantic Oscillation. Edward has published over 120 research papers in international peer-reviewed journals and has led an international team to reconstruct Greenland Ice Sheet surface mass balance, the results of which have been used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Climate. Edward is a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS) and holds memberships of the International Glaciological Society, European Geosciences Union (EGU), and American Geophysical Union.

Academic Staff List

Welcome to MGeog Geography

Geography is an integrative subject that seeks to understand the relationship between human society and its environment, addressing some of the critical issues that are challenging our future.

Geography at Lincoln is designed to develop subject understanding and geographical skills progressively in the context of real-world problems, enabling students to apply their learning to contemporary global challenges. With Lincoln's unique focus on the 'safety and health of the inhabited Earth', our mission is to deliver a degree that is relevant to the global, environmental and societal challenges for the 21st century.

A belief in the importance of interdisciplinary knowledge to address major issues is at the heart of our approach. Our academics are experienced researchers investigating key and emerging issues across the spectrum of human and physical geography.

This MGeog programme allows students to further their expertise in a chosen area of Geography and to develop their understanding of geographical debates in the context of other disciplines. It focuses on advanced geographical skills, exposing students to contemporary interdisciplinary debates at the cutting-edge of the field, and enables students to pursue their research interests by completing an original research project that they report in a journal-style article.

How You Study

Geography students at Lincoln follow a central thread of concept lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, practical teaching of analytical skills through field and laboratory classes, as well as group project work under close personal supervision.

In the first year, a series of core modules are designed to integrate both physical and human geography skills and concepts. This approach aims to provide a foundation for students to become geographers in the true, interdisciplinary sense.

The first year consists of a range of physical and human geography modules which include both fieldwork and practical sessions, and provide the necessary groundwork for further study. In the second and third years, students can focus on either a physical geography or human geography pathway but also have the opportunity to study elements of both within the context of a broad interdisciplinary approach. Both years comprise a mixture of core modules covering research skills, laboratory techniques, fieldwork and modelling, as well as optional modules, designed to enable students to follow their interests.

The fourth year is heavily research-focused and designed to allow students to produce a journal-style article that reports on new research that they carry out under staff supervision. The first term prepares students to complete an advanced research project that culminates in the preparation of an academic paper in which they present their findings. Other modules focus on advanced research methods, contemporary interdisciplinary debates in geography, and foundational stages of research. Much of the second term is dedicated to completing independent research and preparing a summary paper. Students can also present an overview of how their research project contributes to enhancing understanding of social and environmental challenges as part of a School seminar series. In addition, students can choose from a wide range of optional geography modules.

Core skills students learn in gathering, collating and analysing data can be developed in extensive projects and fieldwork, in the UK and overseas. Students will also have the opportunity to develop skills in residential fieldwork, through placements and other activities, providing the chance to apply geographical knowledge in real-world settings, and put theory into practice.

The travel and accommodation costs of compulsory field trips are covered by the University. Students who choose to participate in any optional field trips, internships, or work experience are responsible for covering their travel, accommodation, and general living costs.

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. To help you choose the course that’s right for you, we aim to bring to your attention all the important information you may need. Our What You Need to Know page offers detailed information on key areas including contact hours, assessment, optional modules, and additional costs.

Find out More

Field Work

Extensive projects and fieldwork in the UK and overseas support the development of core skills in gathering, collating, and analysing data. The travel and accommodation costs of compulsory trips are covered by the University. Destinations have previously included the Lincolnshire Coast and Crete, Greece. Students who choose to participate in any optional field trips, internships, or work experience are responsible for covering their travel, accommodation, and general living costs.

Placement Opportunities

There may be opportunities to work with industry partners, schools, and public organisations. These can include placement modules in both the second and third years of study, as well as the option to take a “placement year” between the second and third years. The Department of Geography works with a dedicated placement officer to support students in setting up placement opportunities.

When students are on an optional placement in the UK or overseas or studying abroad, they will be required to cover their own transport and accommodation and meals costs. Placements can range from a few weeks to a full year if students choose to undertake an optional sandwich year in industry.

From the first year students may have opportunities to attend lectures from people whose careers are built on geographical skills and knowledge. The Department also works closely with the University Careers and Employability team to promote the Lincoln Award, an initiative designed to enhance employability skills.

How you are assessed

Students are assessed using multiple, diverse methods including coursework such as written assignments, blogs, reports or dissertations; practical tasks, fieldwork and presentations; and written exams, such as formal examinations or in-class tests. Both group and individual assessments are commonly used. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year.

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that all in-course assessments are returned to students promptly usually within 15 working days after the submission date. The Department of Geography aims to provide continuing feedback to students through our tutorial system and scheduled open office hours.

An Introduction to Your Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

A Sustainable Lincolnshire 2022-23GEH1007MLevel 42022-23This module is based on the concept of sustainability and lives within an environment. It encompasses three key themes: economic and social geography, ecosystems, and environmental hazards, assessing how these systems interact. To do this, we will study three environments in the local area: the urban environment, the rural environment and coastal environment. Local fieldwork introduces students to contemporary issues in the social and natural environment through in-depth studies in the county of Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire has a diverse physical geography and faces a number of human and societal challenges making it an excellent laboratory to study issues of national and international importance that are directly relevant to The Health and Safety of the Inhabited Earth and the Universitys local to global remit.CoreChallenges of Rural & Urban Living 2022-23GEH1005MLevel 42022-23This module aims to introduce students to the impact of globalisation and the penetration of markets across urban and rural space. The implications for changing urban and rural communities and the challenges of inequalities (economic and social) will be addressed. Students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of markets through an introduction to micro-economics and theories and indicators of inequalities at global and local scales. The impact of inequalities in different places at different spatial scales will be considered through an introduction to sociological approaches. An understanding of social and economic principles can allow students to appraise contemporary issues relating to the health and safety of urban and rural communities across the globe. Appreciating the nature of globalisation will help them to contextualise contemporary processes and provide a firm grounding for entering employment in todays globalised labour market.CoreEarth Observation & GIS 2022-23GEP1006MLevel 42022-23The aim of this module is to teach students the fundamental theory and practical applications of Earth observation (remote sensing) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Geospatial technologies (involving remote sensing and GIS) have changed the way businesses and policymakers solve problems and the way scientists understand Earth system processes and hazards. These technologies are routinely used by people in their work and their daily life (e.g. via Google Earth). This module aims to introduce students to some of the important sources of geospatial data and the technologies underpinning them, and will highlight ways in which they are used both within geographical science and more widely. In addition students can gain hands-on, skills-based experience in processing and analysing data using GIS and Remote Sensing software. These are vital tools that will enable students to more rigorously assess the safety and health of the inhabited Earth.CoreEarths Changing Surface and the Anthropocene 2022-23GEP1007MLevel 42022-23This module aims to provide a grounding in the key aspects of Geomorphology, including fluvial, coastal, aeolian, glacial, and hillslope geomorphology, and looks to build a firm foundation in understanding surface processes and hazards. It outlines a local to global framework of Earth surface processes and variability over space and time, drawing on case studies from both locally and across the world. There is therefore excellent complementarity with its sister module The Earth System Processes and Hazards, but with a stronger focus on Geomorphology and mass movements. These two modules taken together aim to develop essential knowledge and understanding that underpin the School of Geographys distinctive and unifying flavour of the Safety and Health of the Inhabited Earth. The importance of taking the long view (e.g. Holocene and longer perspective) in order to understand Earths changing surface in the context of anthropogenic climate change will be emphasised.CoreEnvironmental Data Monitoring & Analysis 2022-23GEP1002MLevel 42022-23The aim of this module is to provide basic training in several key laboratory and field methods. This is provided via introductory lectures followed by a series of integrated computer and laboratory practical sessions, workshops, and local fieldwork. The lectures aim to demonstrate the importance of laboratory and field experimentation within modern geographical enquiry. The practical exercises aim to provide hands-on experience of the collection, synthesis, analysis, and presentation of environmental data within the contexts of geomorphology/soil science, and meteorology/hydrology. This module therefore aims to provide vocationally-relevant practical tools and insight that enable an informed judgement of the safety and health of the environment in the context of rapid human change.CorePeople, Places, Patterns and Processes 2022-23GEH1006MLevel 42022-23Certain forces are shaping the structure of human populations and societies in the 21st century. The aim of this module is to help students gain foundational understanding of these different forces as well as their effects on human population structure. Students will get an opportunity to explore different aspects of population dynamics across developed and developing societies. From this quantitative starting point, students will be progressed into qualitative exploration of different place identities and attachments, cultural changes, and representations of places at a global scale. Teaching sessions will focus on people, their individual and collective characteristics, spatial distributions, and the undercurrents that account for these spatial patterns. In a broad sense, the module reflects the diversity of geography and it is closely aligned to spatial demography. Consequently, in addition to gaining insights into theoretical basis of population geography, students will also be exposed to the technical foundations of demographic data analysis through hands-on software training.CoreSustainable Environments & Ecosystems 2022-23GEH1003MLevel 42022-23The aim of this module is to introduce students to the links between ecosystems and human health. The module focuses heavily on the role of human activities in changing ecosystems, covering aspects of human impacts on ecosystems as well as policy and regulatory actions to improve and safeguard vital ecosystems. Impacts are assessed in terms of both human and wider environmental factors such as quality of life and access to safe and healthy resources as well as biodiversity, landscape assets and climate resilience. Local and global case studies will be drawn to assess issues such as the sustainable design of built environments, sustainable approaches to waste management and threats linked to overconsumption of natural resources and excess pollution. By exploring a range of relevant case studies we will question assumptions about environmental/ecosystem interactions and equip students with the necessary critical knowledge and overview for deriving real-world solutions to a representative range of current environmental problems.CoreThe Earth System: Processes & Hazards 2022-23GEP1005MLevel 42022-23The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the general principles of physical geography for students with diverse backgrounds. Using a systems-based approach to physical geography, four environmental systems will be examined: geosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The final part of the module will consider the interactions between physical systems and also the causes and consequences of system change, such as climate change, over time and space. The occurrence and impacts of some key natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and droughts) will also be considered, which will facilitate an improved appreciation of the safety and health of the environment.CoreEarth Observation, Modelling & Visualisation: Representing Reality & Understanding Change 2023-24GEH2009MLevel 52023-24The ability to model the behaviour of natural and human systems, and their interaction, is an increasingly vital tool in understanding both these systems and the consequence of changes such as population growth or climate change. This module uses lectures and computer practicals to introduce the numerical modelling of geographical processes and systems. The science and art of model formulation, construction, and testing will be covered in detail. Students can use a number of specially-written models from various areas of physical and human geography. Overall the module aims to introduce modelling as an important method of understanding geographical systems and predicting changes in these systems, and to give students some experience of what is involved in creating and using geographical models.CoreGeographical Research: Theory & Practice 2023-24GEH2008MLevel 52023-24The ability to undertake independent research is a key skill in geography and in many areas of future employment. This module introduces the principles of research design and places methods of data collection in the overall context of research, including identifying a topic of study, carrying out a literature review, and designing research questions and linking them to appropriate methods of data collection, analysis and testing. A field trip to Crete provides the chance to gain practical experience in designing and carrying out field-based research projects in small groups and in focused individual research-project design. The purpose of the Crete field class is to get students practicing real-world geography through direct observation and measurement of their surroundings, and the processing, interpretation and presentation of the data collected. Overall the module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake a piece of independent research while gearing them towards becoming independent researchers.CoreHazards and Society 2023-24GEH2010MLevel 52023-24CoreBiogeography & Planetary Health 2023-24GEP2002MLevel 52023-24Understanding and predicting the impacts of climatic- and human-induced changes on the distribution and functioning of biomes and terrestrial ecosystems are two of the most urgent current environmental challenges. Increases in global temperatures, changes in precipitation and radiation patterns, droughts, floods, fires and land-use change can all have major effects on the distribution and functioning of ecosystems, directly influencing their biogeographical patterns and their role in mitigating or alleviating current climate change. This module provides an introduction to biogeography and ecosystem functioning and planetary health concepts; it also gives an overview of techniques (e.g. field vegetation surveys and climate-ecosystem modelling) that are used to monitor and quantify ecosystem health and predict changes in current ecosystem patterns and therefore delimit the implications for the future safety of the inhabited Earth.OptionalClimatology & Hydrology 2023-24GEP2003MLevel 52023-24This module provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of global meteorology and climatology, focusing on the atmosphere but with some consideration of interaction with the ocean, and global hydrology, including ecohydrology, hydrogeology and water quality with an emphasis on water resources and management. The first part of the module will consider the main characteristics of, and processes behind, climate from global to regional scales. The second part covers global hydrology, including consideration of the physical characteristics of rivers and their geographical variation, and related aspects of river-catchment science and the role of the rivers in the wider environmental system. The meteorological/climatological and hydrological insights gained can enable an improved appraisal of the safety and health of the inhabited Earth. Throughout the module links with the geology and/or engineering industries will be highlighted.OptionalCultural & Historical Geography 2023-24GEH2003MLevel 52023-24This module gives students the opportunity to develop the key skills and understanding of cultural theories of place and space that can be applied to an increasingly diverse range of other specialist areas of human geography. The module focuses on the ways in which cultural norms and political power shape places in todays world. From this perspective, we explore the ways in which different groups in todays society are defined and identified, both by themselves and by others. Students are introduced to the meaning of scale and boundaries from a cultural perspective and asked to critically examine their roles in framing the nature of power and marginalisation. Students completing this module can gain a deeper understanding of the culturally diverse nature of the world in which we live, including power imbalances and inequalities, which may prepare them for a range of policy-oriented as well as internationally-engaged employment opportunities.OptionalDevelopment Studies & the Global South 2023-24GEH2004MLevel 52023-24This module is about the challenges for economic development in the Global South. Such challenges cannot be studied in isolation so the key issues are examined from the perspective of an increasing pace of globalisation. This leads us to assess the role of political and corporate actors at the global scale as well as issues relating to local actors, resources and natural environments. The module begins with a critical introduction to core theories of international development and evidence of different measures of inequality before more contemporary theories relating to urban growth, demographic change, technology and new industrial systems are applied to deepen understanding of the processes that perpetuate global inequality. As well as global systems, new opportunities for locally embedded growth in the form of local business development, tourism and technology-based opportunities can be explored. Finally, the added vulnerability associated with wars, natural disasters and new geopolitics are considered in relation to the development potential of different regions of the Global South.OptionalPlacement (Level 2) 2023-24GEH2007MLevel 52023-24This placement provides students with the opportunity to develop their professional skills by spending time with a relevant employer. Students undertaking this placement will be expected to spend a minimum of 70 hours working under the direct supervision of the employer. Tasks will be developed to give students an insight into the professional working environment. Alongside the placement, students will be expected to prepare a report that reflects on their professional learning experience and identifies how elements of the Geography syllabus relate to at least one core area of their work experience.OptionalPlanetary Geoscience 2023-24GEP3007MLevel 62023-24OptionalPolitical & Social Geography 2023-24GEH2005MLevel 52023-24This module introduces students to the main schools of thinking in social and political geography as well as key theorists in each field. In particular, contemporary issues concerning the neo-liberalist agenda, social innovation and the role of civic society will be covered. Mainstream debates about communities, institutions and nations will be within the social geography part of the course. This will allow students to examine in greater depth issues of social exclusion and geographies of class, ethnicity, sexuality and gender, with reference to theories of intersectionality and othering. Political geography will focus on contemporary challenges to democracy and capitalism, including emergent social movements and global geo-political issues. The role of the nation state in a time of pressures for devolution in the UK and growing nationalism across Europe will be explored. The evolving politics and influence of global superpowers will also be examined.OptionalQuantitative & Qualitative Geographical Analysis Methods 2023-24GEH2002MLevel 52023-24This module is concerned with developing the essential skills that are required to collect, process, interpret and present primary and secondary research data. It describes and discusses applications of descriptive and quantitative statistics and approaches to collating and analysing quantitative datasets. Students in this module carry out practical research to help them learn techniques for collecting and analysing data. Overall the module aims to provide students with a solid grounding in the proper application of qualitative and quantitative methods in geographical analysis, and an appreciation of their role in the study of contemporary environmental and social issues.OptionalQuaternary Science 2023-24GEP2006MLevel 52023-24Great changes at global, regional and local scales have occurred during the last 2.6 million years of Earths history (Quaternary period). These changes are continuing and have implications for both current and future environments. This modules discusses the tools and techniques required to investigate past environmental changes and considers how natural variability can be distinguished from variability caused by humans.OptionalRiver & Coastal Systems: Science & Management 2023-24GEP2007MLevel 52023-24This module will focus on coastal and river geomorphological processes, as a key component of the safety and health of highly-populated floodplain and coastal regions. It aims to develop an understanding of key methods of monitoring and modelling contemporary river and coastal morphodynamics, and include the use of hydraulic and hydrological models for monitoring river and coastal flooding and its impacts. As well as providing an in depth theoretical framework of catchment and coastal processes and exploring hands-on tools for investigating these processes, the module emphasises links with the environmental/flood protection agencies and/or consultancies.OptionalSoG International Study Year 2023-24GEH2011MLevel 52023-24The School believes that an option to study overseas is a valuable educational opportunity for our students. Provision of this option supports the educational aims of the School of Geography and enhances the distinctiveness of its degrees at Lincoln. The optional year is intended to: - enable students to benefit from studying within a cross cultural environment; - expose students to a wider academic and cultural experience; - enhance their future employment opportunities; - by increasing their cultural and professional mobility. This module is optional for students within the School. Study Abroad is a year long module which enables students to spend a year studying abroad at one of the Universitys approved partner institutions. Eligible students must have completed their second year of study to a satisfactory standard and successfully completed the application process for the year abroad. During the year spent abroad, students share classes with local students and study on a suite of locally-delivered taught modules which have been approved in advance by the University. Upon their return, as part of the assessment for this modules, students are required to critically reflect upon their experience of living and studying in a different cultural environment and the skills acquired.OptionalSoG Work Placement Year 2023-24GEH2002XLevel 52023-24OptionalUrban & Regional Economic Geography 2023-24GEH2006MLevel 52023-24All economic phenomena take place within geographical space and the economic activities shape the social and cultural places in which they occur. This module provides students with core principles about the emergence of distinctive regions within countries and at an international scale, focusing on the global north. As well as presenting students with core theories of regional economics, the impacts of geopolitics, regional policy and the roles of international trade and transnational corporations will also be analysed. A critical understanding of the reasons for differing economic fortunes between regions aims to give students a more analytical understanding of the inequalities that impact the modern economy. This aims to prepare students for future work in the field of economic development policy as well enabling them to apply this knowledge in industry.OptionalClimate Change: Processes, Politics & Policy 2024-25GEH3013MLevel 62024-25CoreDissertation Research Project (Physical) 2024-25GEP3010MLevel 62024-25The Dissertation is an extended piece of original research work on a geographical topic of students' own choice that is carried out under the guidance of a staff mentor. It allows students to draw together and build on the skills and subject expertise they have developed throughout their time at University. Students will be expected to either collect original material for investigation and/or to carry out original analysis of secondary data. Students' allocated supervisor will guide and advise them in their work. The dissertation should be written and presented in the style of an academic research paper but, wherever possible, will highlight the wider-world and vocational relevance of the research.CoreAdvanced Earth Observation GIS 2024-25GEP3008MLevel 62024-25Geographers are involved in the monitoring, modelling and management of environmental systems. Spatial data in digital form and computer systems capable of handling such data are vital tools for all three activities. This module aims to introduce students who are already familiar with the basics of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the advanced techniques required for the successful collection and analysis of spatial data for environmental applications. The module examines the role of GIS in geography and environmental science, and introduces students to some of the ethical and policy issues surrounding data collection and dissemination. It aims to develop key skills using a powerful tool (GIS) that is widely used in commerce and industry (e.g. by local authorities and in environmental management), and this skillset is directly applicable to improving geographical understanding of the safety and health of the inhabited Earth.OptionalCatchments, Coasts and Global Change 2024-25GEP3014MLevel 62024-25OptionalCoastal Ecosystems: processes and management 2024-25GEP3011MLevel 62024-25This module will focus on the geomorphology of coastal ecosystems, such as estuaries, coastal lagoons, dunes, tidal mudflats, marshes, mangrove forests or seagrass meadows, their ecosystem services that they deliver, as well as the expected changes that coastal ecosystems are likely to be experiencing under the influence of global sea level rise. This will include hands-on practical sessions, including the use of state-of-the-art computer models and the collection and analysis of primary field data. A particular emphasis of this module will be on developing an in-depth understanding how coastal ecosystems may help coastal communities to adapt to climate change, an approach that is widely referred to as ecosystem-based management.OptionalContemporary Climate Change & Processes 2024-25GEP3002MLevel 62024-25This module involves the study of climate, with the emphasis on climatic forcing factors, observation and modelling of the climate system, and ice-climate links: all on the 'contemporary' timescale (past few to next few centuries). The underpinning geophysics are presented, but using the minimum of mathematics, in order to gain the fullest understanding of processes involved. Students can also explore extreme weather events, climate hazards, and the societal implications of climate change.OptionalEnvironmental Histories of the New & Old World 2024-25GEH3003MLevel 62024-25This module is designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in the origins, contemporary understanding and practice of environmental history, landscape ecology, and human impacts on landscapes and environments. Case studies from different geographical contexts allow students to apply approaches drawn from landscape ecology and environmental history to problems of environmental and resource management. In line with the Schools focus on the health and safety of the inhabited earth, the ways in which human activity has shaped landscapes and environmental changes as well as the impacts for human society can provide a cohesive theme throughout the module.OptionalEnvironmental Management 2024-25GEP3012MLevel 62024-25This module examines a range of interdisciplinary environmental management techniques and conservation strategies that are used to address critical environmental, human, and planetary health issues. Students are expected to gain an understanding of the most appropriate techniques and solutions using a range of global, regional, and local environmental case studies. There is a strong emphasis on practice-based skills with guest lectures from practitioners in the field, field excursions, practical and seminar classes. An innovative assessment will give students the opportunity to be involved in actively influencing sustainable behaviour in the younger generation and giving them a chance to become the teacher. This approach is especially useful in the third year as it exposes students to a wide range of career options in environmental science management and policy/regulation.OptionalGeochemistry: contaminants, resources and global carbon 2024-25GEP3013MLevel 62024-25This module introduces students to key applied concepts within geochemistry with a geographical focus. The course is delivered with weekly lectures supplemented with practical training in the form of laboratory work, fieldwork, workshops, and ICT sessions. Some of the key themes studied include water health, soil health, and global carbon processes. At the end of the module students are expected to have developed an understanding of the interlocking nature of nutrient flows, contamination and global carbon, and how the system needs to be considered as a whole to answer large scale environmental problems regarding sustainability of food, materials, and energy.OptionalGeographies of Health & Wellbeing 2024-25GEH3007MLevel 62024-25This module addresses issues of uneven health and wellbeing at both local and global scales. As well as applying a range of indicators to assess the spread of different health inequalities, the different interpretations and implications of wellbeing and health inequalities are debated. Examples are drawn from the developed and less developed worlds. In the Global North these include challenges of poor health resulting from over-population and resource scarcity as well as attempts to manage disease and improve healthcare provision. In the Global South, particular emphasis is given to famine and food security issues.OptionalGeographies of Innovation 2024-25GEH3005MLevel 62024-25OptionalGeographies of Power, Conflict & Discrimination 2024-25GEH3002MLevel 62024-25The aim of this module is to develop deeper insights into contemporary issues of conflict and discrimination and the role of power. Students are encouraged to analyse and critique the role of power at different scales and across different geographies. Conflict can arise at a very local level, for example over planning permission, as well as at a global level such as tensions over global climate treaties. Examples from both extremes are studied to allow students to appraise the power relations, networks, and tensions that are revealed. This aims to prepare students to enter the labour market in a rapidly changing political environment and help them to appreciate the challenges of developing policies to address the diverse challenges to preserve and enhance the safety and health of the inhabited earth in an equitable manner.OptionalGeography Pedagogy 2024-25GEH3010MLevel 62024-25This module is designed to provide students with an insight into the teaching of geography at secondary school level by combining university lectures with a placement in a secondary school geography department. The module is particularly aimed at those considering a career in geography teaching and provides students with an opportunity to engage with education research. The module will examine how this research impacts directly on classroom practice. Students can gain an insight into some of the key ideas in geography pedagogy and how these are implemented in school lessons. This is delivered in partnership with our School of Education.OptionalGlobal Systems & Societies: Ageing, Migration & Mobility 2024-25GEH3006MLevel 62024-25Many pressing contemporary social and economic issues relating to the health and safety of the inhabited earth (including poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, and community transitions) can be linked to demographic processes. Students can apply analytical skills to investigate demographic changes as well as examine broader processes of demographic change in the light of contemporary theory. Building a deep understanding of the social, economic, political and cultural aspects of demographic processes can provide a global awareness that is increasingly important in the modern workplace. It will also be an essential grounding for postgraduate study in the areas of human geography and demography.OptionalHuman Impacts on Ecosystems, the Environment and Planetary Health 2024-25GEP3004MLevel 62024-25This module uses the concept of planetary health to introduce students to a wide range of critical environmental issues facing the world today from physical and human geographical perspectives. Using a range of global and regional environmental problems, incorporating case studies on climate change, water and energy resources, land-use change and agriculture, the responsible and interrelated physical and social processes are examined. We also address the paradox of overall improved human health yet natural system deterioration. Students on this module can critically explore the causes, consequences, and impacts of humans on ecosystem and planetary health issues, as well as and learning how to question assumptions about the underlying processes.OptionalNatural Hazards 2024-25GEP3006MLevel 62024-25This module covers a number of selected topics related to the geosphere where natural phenomena and circumstances (and sometimes human attempts to manage them) may result in harmful - and frequently catastrophic - effects on both humans and their environment. In each case the nature and underlying causes of the natural hazard are explained and the effects, including those on the biosphere in general and humans in particular, are examined and discussed in some depth. Students are encouraged to consider how hazards, exposure routes and consequences can be understood within a source-pathway-target risk assessment framework. Such a framework is designed to enable students to understand how to analyse risk, define the chain of impact from source to target, and identify ways of controlling and managing risk. Each topic is illustrated with current or past examples and with the aim of diagnosing and improving the safety and health of the inhabited Earth.OptionalOverseas Fieldwork 2024-25GEP3005MLevel 62024-25This module seeks to put into practice knowledge gained in previous modules by focusing on the physical and human processes that have shaped the environment and will influence future change (therefore helping to shape the safety and health of the inhabited region) it provides experience of process interpretation and understanding in an unfamiliar setting. Currently, two destinations, Chile and the Netherlands are available to students, although this is subject to change. Students who choose to participate in the optional field trip are responsible for covering their travel, accommodation, and general living costs. The module is designed to allow students to work within an overseas environment and carry out a study that will result in the design, implementation, and production of a research report that is mainly based on student-led fieldwork. Introductory lecture sessions will take place in Lincoln prior to fieldwork. Knowledge and understanding on the actual fieldclass can be gained via enquiry-based learning, followed by group/individual data collection and follow-up analysis, set in the context of wider research, and student-centred research presentations. Follow-up sessions will provide the opportunity to analyse and create a written presentation of research findings.OptionalPlacement (Level 3) 2024-25GEH3009MLevel 62024-25On this placement, students are expected to carry out a specific project for an external organisation. The project would be agreed between the Host Organisation, School of Geography Supervisor and Student prior to the commencement of the placement. The student would be expected to undertake a specific project task to address a particular requirement of the Host Organisation. This might include consultancy research, analytical research, public engagement or the development of a new teaching class/activity. The approach, outcome and an evaluation of the project should be presented in the form of a professional report and oral presentation.OptionalPlanetary Geoscience 2024-25GEP3007MLevel 62024-25OptionalPolicy and Politics of Climate Change 2024-25GEH3012MLevel 62024-25This module will complement the module Contemporary Climate Change and Processes and provides a foundation for examining and understanding the policy and politics of climate change (natural and anthropogenic), and drawing from different sub-disciplines including political science, human and political geography, science and technology studies, and critical environmental science. Policy and politics are explored using a variety of geographical examples from around the developed and developing world to explore how society and its institutions respond to climate change. During the module, students are expected to critically describe and understand contemporary policy and politics of climate change; examine societal and policy responses at different geographical scales and in different developmental contexts; and critically examine the institutional context of how policy and politics of climate change continue to evolve.OptionalProject Essay 2024-25GEP3009MLevel 62024-25The aim of this module is to allow students to develop an extended piece of work that advances their understanding and engagement with one of their other chosen topics. Students are given an extended essay/project to work on that builds their core understanding from another module. Appropriate supervisors are allocated to guide students on additional reading and other sources of information. Students have the option of either a research or theory based project which they develop independently based around the contemporary issues identified by the module leader in that given field.OptionalRiver Systems & Global Environmental Change 2024-25GEP3003MLevel 62024-25The aim of this module is to help students develop a conceptual, factual and practical knowledge of channel, floodplain and catchment response to environmental change resulting from natural and anthropogenic perturbations. It has a global perspective and considers river systems on all of the Earths inhabited continents. The impact of climate change on river morphodynamics is evaluated over three time periods: the Last Glacial to Interglacial Transition (c. 22,000-11,700 years before the present); the Holocene Epoch (c. 11,700 years before the present until today); and the historical period (generally the last 1000 years or so). The modules aims to provide an advanced level understanding of river catchment systems and global environmental change worldwide and is suitable for students who want to pursue careers in river management and flood control, or postgraduate studies in river science.OptionalRural Geography 2024-25GEH3008MLevel 62024-25The aim of this module is to apply learning about economic and social development processes to the rural environment in order to understand contemporary challenges faced by rural places in the global north. Demographic changes and the effects of ageing, gentrification and counterurbanisation are explored in a range of European and North American contexts. The role of demographic change influencing economic, social and political change is a core feature of this module. Building on the first year core module Challenges of Rural and Urban Living, more detailed analysis of the changing composition of rural economies focuses heavily on rural enterprises and social innovation across a diverse range of non-agricultural activities. The module develops concepts from social, cultural and economic geography covered at level two, including the role of power in shaping rural places, the economic development trajectories of rural regions and issues of social inequalities governance and local planning. Students are encouraged to think about rural places as part of an interdependent urban-rural system but also to identify specific patterns of change, opportunities and challenges that are embedded within rural places. Such perspectives are integral to a contemporary approach to addressing the health and sustainability of rural communities and their economies and can equip students with the knowledge to succeed in a rural environment, whether in business, policy-making or an increasing range of third-sector and community-based activities.OptionalUrban and Regional Political Ecology: Environment, Development and the City 2024-25GEH3011MLevel 62024-25This module introduces students to the multi-disciplinary field of political ecology, which considers the relevance of power and politics for shaping the relationship between humans and their environments. This module will be of interest to students curious about the relationships between nature and the environment and control over crucial resources. After taking this course, students should be able to identify and explain ways in which power and politics influence the human-environment relationship, analyse socio-environmental issues under the lenses of political ecology, and be knowledgeable about how to use such an analysis for empirical research. Students should be able to understand the core concepts and theories of differing political ecology approaches as well as the major urban environmental challenges in the Global North and South and their policy possibilities.OptionalConfronting Future Social and Environmental Challenges 2025-26GEH9006MLevel 72025-26This module challenges students to critically assess how to confront future social and environmental challenges in the contemporary world. Students can do this by presenting a journal article project related to their MGeog course through student-led weekly seminars, as part of a seminar series open to the School of Geography. At the end of the academic year, students will also need to produce a poster of their work which will be presented at a Lincoln School of Geography Master's Conference. As part of this, students will also need to form a student-led steering committee to organise the conference with student ownership throughout the entire lifecycle.CoreContemporary Interdisciplinary Debates in Geography 2025-26GEH9003MLevel 72025-26This module is built around emerging interdisciplinary research themes in Geography. Research seminars will introduce key topics and wider reading will be signposted to allow students to engage in academic debates from different perspectives. As a module that crosses MGeog and MA programmes, the design will allow students to concentrate on their own disciplinary perspective and participate in interdisciplinary groups and discussions to highlight the interplay between different paradigms and different sub-fields of geography.CorePreparing for Research 2025-26GEP9003MLevel 72025-26This module takes students through the research process at Master's level by showing them how to critically examine relevant background literature and design a viable research project through writing a proposal on a relevant geographical area of their choice. Reference will be made to the theory of how ideas develop in science and/or social science. We will also discuss academic writing and communication and dissemination.CoreResearch Project (MGeog) 2025-26GEP9006MLevel 72025-26The Research Project is an independent piece of work that is conducted throughout the Master's stage. The aim is to produce a journal article fit for publication. The research project is an independent piece of work developed by each student and they are expected to choose their own research topic related to their degree; develop the research design; perform the data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and produce an original piece of research.CoreAdvanced Research Methods in Development Geography 2025-26GEH9017MLevel 72025-26This module will focus on research methods and how these can integrate with theory and practice, focusing on the field of Development of the Environment. It will survey a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods that can be used for researching processes of uneven development in both Global North and South contexts. Students can also learn how to assess the suitability of particular research methods for various types of research projects, and how qualitative and quantitative methods can be integrated. Finally, the module will cover the practical skills necessary for the work of development institutions in policy and non-government organisations.OptionalAdvanced Research Methods in Water and Planetary Health 2025-26GEP9004MLevel 72025-26This module introduces students to relevant research methods in the field of Water and Planetary Health. Teaching will focus on how to independently work with and apply specialist Geographic research methods, such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), analytical statistical methods, laboratory techniques, and some programming skills (e.g. Matlab, R, Python). The teaching of geographical research methods will be based on the practical work on field, remote sensing, public authority, or unpublished research data within the thematic field of Water and Planetary Health. The research methods taught during this module will specifically focus on linking up hydrological process understanding with a biological, economic, social, and medical implications for human health and wellbeing, and will aim to strengthen students' ability to practically apply the taught methods for their studies within their programme.OptionalCoastal Ecosystems: Processes and Management (M) 2025-26GEP9009MLevel 72025-26This module will focus on the geomorphology of coastal ecosystems, such as estuaries, coastal lagoons, dunes, tidal mudflats, marshes, mangrove forests, or seagrass meadows, the ecosystem services that they deliver, as well as the expected changes that coastal ecosystems are likely to be experiencing under the influence of global sea level rise. The theoretical background knowledge on the local-global scale importance of coastal ecosystems in the context climate change mitigation and adaptation provided will be complemented by hands-on practical sessions, including the use of state-of-the-art computer models and the collection and analysis of primary field data. A particular emphasis of this module will be on developing an in-depth understanding how coastal ecosystems may help coastal communities to adapt to climate change, an approach that is widely referred to as ecosystem-based management.OptionalConflict, Migration & Development 2025-26GEH9010MLevel 72025-26The aim of this module is to develop deeper insights into contemporary issues and processes of conflict, migration, and their links to human development. Conflict and migration can occur at local, national, and international scales due to myriad political, social-cultural, economic, humanitarian, and environmental factors. Equally, conflict and migration can interact in a dependent manner, with violence forcibly triggering displacement, and the consequences of migration being linked to the outbreak of conflict each of which hold implications for development. This module will focus on key contemporary questions in the field, drawing from examples at a range of scales, which will allow students to appraise the complexity of conflict and migration in relation to development. An additional focus on environmental- and resource-related conflicts and migrations in the context of globalisation and rapid economic growth will add a further dimension to the module. Students can also learn about the political and policy relationships mediating the relationship between conflict, migration, and development, including why migration has recently been framed as a security issue, and the role of governmental and non-governmental organisations in the prevention and resolution of conflict. This will aim to prepare them to enter the jobs market in a rapidly changing political environment and help them to appreciate the challenges of developing policies to preserve and enhance the safety and health of the inhabited earth in an equitable manner.OptionalEnvironmental Histories of the New & Old World (M) 2025-26GEH9011MLevel 72025-26This module is designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in the origins, contemporary understanding, and practice of environmental history both in relation to environmental impacts on humans and human impacts on landscapes and environments. Case studies of human-environment interaction drawn from different geographical and temporal settings will facilitate an analytical and comparative approach to the past, while grounding in historical-social process will ensure that students can gain an understanding of the importance of context, social actors, and human agency. Critical consideration of how debates and research in environmental history can be applied to social and environmental challenges today will provide an added dimension of societal relevance. In line with the Schools focus on the health and safety of the inhabited earth, the ways in which human activity has shaped landscapes and environmental changes as well as the impacts for human society will provide a cohesive theme throughout the module.OptionalGlobal Challenges in Development Research 2025-26GEH9013MLevel 72025-26At the heart of the concept of development are notions of improvement or betterment. However, what is to be improved, at what scale, for whom, where, and how are all contested. Development theories seek to explain development processes and development inequalities based on particular definitions of development. They have also informed the formulation of policy and aid initiatives by transnational actors in the post-war period to achieve development goals around the world. This module will examine the theory and practice of research on uneven development in both Global North and South contexts, particularly since the 1950s. In particular, it will aim to prepare students for a career in development geography research, through working with development related organisations (including policy institutes and third sector organisations). This knowledge will be put into practice through interactive research-focused workshops with researchers and practitioners in the field, culminating in a development symposium where students will have the opportunity to showcase their work.OptionalGlobal Challenges in Development Research 2025-26GEH9013MLevel 72025-26At the heart of the concept of development are notions of improvement or betterment. However, what is to be improved, at what scale, for whom, where, and how are all contested. Development theories seek to explain development processes and development inequalities based on particular definitions of development. They have also informed the formulation of policy and aid initiatives by transnational actors in the post-war period to achieve development goals around the world. This module will examine the theory and practice of research on uneven development in both Global North and South contexts, particularly since the 1950s. In particular, it will aim to prepare students for a career in development geography research, through working with development related organisations (including policy institutes and third sector organisations). This knowledge will be put into practice through interactive research-focused workshops with researchers and practitioners in the field, culminating in a development symposium where students will have the opportunity to showcase their work.OptionalGlobal Perspectives on Rural Development 2025-26GEH9009MLevel 72025-26This module examines contemporary global approaches to rural development through practical examples and critical theory. Students can draw from contemporary research articles and new policy reports and strategies that cut across international and local scales. The main assignment offers the scope for students to examine a rural development initiative within a selected part of the world and to contextualise this in line with mainstream theories and other examples drawn from academic research. Although focusing on rural areas, the importance of understanding the increasingly inter-connected and interdependent relationships between urban and rural will be emphasised throughout.OptionalPsychology of Environmental Behaviour and Resource Management 2025-26GEH9008MLevel 72025-26Many of the environmental problems faced by societies, such as climate change and declining water quality, are related to how people behave in their homes, at work, and in natural landscapes. How people interact with environments is also influenced by their perceptions of risk and hazard in the built and natural landscapes. This module examines theories and perspectives on environmental behaviour, behaviour change, risk perception, research methods (including spatial analysis of big data and behavioural methods), and policy responses to environmental challenges that involve incentivising pro-environmental behaviour.OptionalRiver Systems & Global Environmental Change (M) 2025-26GEP9008MLevel 72025-26The aim of this module is to help students develop a conceptual, factual, and practical knowledge of channel, floodplain, and catchment response to environmental change resulting from natural and anthropogenic perturbations. It has a global perspective and considers river systems on all of the Earths inhabited continents. The module aims to provide an advanced level understanding of river catchment systems and global environmental change worldwide and is suitable for students who want to pursue careers in river management and restoration, flood control, or postgraduate studies in river science.OptionalSystem Modelling for Water & Planetary Health 2025-26GEP9007MLevel 72025-26The collective impact of humanity on Earth has affected the quality and function of water natural systems, and in turn the environmental conditions and ecosystem services that support societies. The combined reduction of water availability and water quality, the overexploitation of aquifers, and the rapid growth in per capita consumption are driving to a deterioration of natural systems on which human civilisations depend. The changing climate affects the functioning of the oceans, land cover, and freshwater systems. These are the biophysical systems that underpin global food production, exposure to disease and natural hazards, and the availability of safe spaces to live. These challenges are likely to worsen in the near future, and there will be a growing need of professionals with advanced modelling skills. This module treats modelling of water and closely related resources with a special focus on environmental challenges that current and future populations face.OptionalWater and Planetary Health: An Interdisciplinary Approach 1 2025-26GEP9002MLevel 72025-26This module will be at the core of the Master's level teaching, aiming to provide the academic basis for this programme for students with a large range of different backgrounds. Teaching will focus on interdisciplinary concepts in the field of Water and Planetary Health. Planetary Health, broadly defined as the health of human civilisation and the state of the natural systems on which it depends (The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health), is an emerging discipline allowing to analyse and solve complex current-day challenges related to the interactions between human activities and the natural environment and human health. Water on earth is one of the elements where these links are particularly relevant. This module gives a comprehensive introduction into the Water and Planetary Health theme and discusses how water on earth and the processes controlling it are interacting with human activity.Optional

Fees and Scholarships

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.

Course Fees

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

Entry Requirements 2022-23

United Kingdom

A Level: BBB including a B in Geography or related subject (120 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications). History, English, Economics, Sociology, a modern Language, Psychology, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics are accepted.

International Baccalaureate: 30 points overall, with 5 at Higher Level in Geography or related subjects from the fields of the Arts, studies in Language and Literature or Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics.

BTEC Extended Diploma in Geography or related subjects: Distinction, Distinction, Merit, or equivalent. Applied Science, Computing, Engineering, Environmental Sustainability, Information Technology, Pharmaceutical Science.

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 120 UCAS Tariff points, including 40 points from 15 credits in Geography or a related subject from the fields of History, Philosophy, Theology, Languages, Literature, Culture or Social Sciences, Information, Communications and Technology, Science and Mathematics or Agriculture, Horticultures, and Animal Care.

A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.

Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English and Maths. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.

International

Non UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/

EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.

If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk

Learn From Experts

Research is essential in informing our teaching and each of our academics is passionate about research. The College of Science hosts the Lincoln Centre for Water and Planetary Health, led by Professor Mark Macklin and Professor Chris Thomas; and the Development, Inequality, Resilience and Environments (DIRE) group.

Our students have the chance to encounter authentic research at all levels – either through their own activities or through the teaching staff sharing experiences from their own research. The first year module Learning from Engagement requires students to prepare group blogs about cutting-edge research and practice in geography, reporting on a series of interdisciplinary seminars and lectures.

Wider opportunities to engage in research are provided through guest lectures within the course, working closely with the Lincoln branch of the Geographical Association externally, and engaging in research projects with staff. Two students have already completed UROS projects with the Department of Geography.

"My passion for geography was ignited when opening my first atlas at primary school, a passion which I look forward to passing on to our students and graduates of the future."

Professor Mark Macklin, Distinguished Professor of River Systems and Global Change

Career Opportunities

Geography can offer a broad range of career opportunities for its graduates. These include roles in geographical information systems, social environmental consultancy, planning and public policy, management, teaching, and the financial sector. The Department's links with industry, business, and environmental regulatory agencies provide opportunities for internships and work experience.

Visit Us in Person

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to join us for one of our Open Days. Visiting us in person is important and will help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.

Book Your Place

Prioritising Face-to-Face Teaching

At Lincoln, we strive to make sure our student experience is engaging, supportive, and academically challenging. That is why, in response to the issues presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been prioritising face-to-face teaching sessions for our new and returning students in areas where they are the most valuable, such as seminars, tutorials, workshops, and lab and practical sessions. Additional online opportunities have been introduced where they support learning and have been shown to be successful and popular with our current students.

Safety remains a key focus. We are fully prepared to adapt our plans if changes in Government guidance makes this necessary, and we will endeavour to keep current and prospective students informed. For more information about how we are working to keep our community safe, please visit our coronavirus web pages.

The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.