Geography

The aim of the PG Diploma in Geography is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and competence necessary to critically analyse contemporary issues and problems in Ireland, Europe and the broader world from a geographical perspective. Students will be exposed to contemporary debates in human geography for which Maynooth Geographers are internationally recognised for, including in environmental, political, urban, cultural, historical, social, and health geography, among other areas. Students can also gain training in mixed research methods appropriate for geographically-informed research, including fieldwork, qualitative and quantitative research methods, GIS and remote sensing. Students will also be exposed to working with civil society and government partners, and develop their sense of the ethical and practical demands of such collaborative research.

The PG Diploma in Geography offers current and prospective educators the possibility to earn the basic requirement of 15 credits of physical and 15 credits in human geography. For students seeking to teach Geography at secondary level, it is the student's responsibility to check with the Irish Teaching Council about what specific requirements are needed. If they do not need to take the full 60 credits in Geography, they may wish to enrol in the Postgraduate Certificate (MHN62).

The PG Diploma in Geography is delivered through lecturers, seminars, fieldwork, practicals, projects and other forms of experiential learning (in and out of the classroom). The PG Diploma offers a wide selection of modules to choose from, reflecting the breadth of the discipline and allowing students to specialise given their interests and/or schedules. Students work with the course director to create a programme reflecting their particular needs. The PG Diploma is available either part-time or full-time, is flexible in delivery, innovative in emphasis, and stresses research-led experiential and field-based teaching and learning opportunities for students to develop additional employability competencies.

The PG Diploma in Geography offers a wide-ranging programme of taught modules, delivered through lectures, seminars, fieldwork, and applied methods workshops. Geography modules offer a range of pedagogical approaches and assessment formats.

The degree structure includes 60 credits, taken over two semesters for full-time (MHN64) and four semesters for part-time students (MHN65). Part-time students can take from 10 to 50 credits in any given academic year.

All students must take one compulsory module (10 ECTS), GY607, Field School, and an additional 50 ECTS, comprised of 5 or 10 credit modules.

For people interested in getting accreditation to teach Geography at secondary levels, it is the student's responsibility to confirm how many credits they need. We offer students flexibility in meeting the basic requirement of 15 credits in both physical and human geography. Students are advised to consult with the course director before registering.

Students should normally have earned a 2.1 or above in Geography (either subject degree in Geography or overall) or related disciplines. A personal statement is required so the Director can give consideration to applicants with relevant academic, work or professional experience if coming from a different background than the social sciences and/or if earned a 2.2 mark.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements: please visit Maynooth University International Office website for information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non-EU applicants

National University of Ireland Maynooth's TOEFL code is 8850

Closing Date : 30 June 2023

MHN64 Full-time - 1 year
MHN65 Part-time - 2 years

Next Intake September 2020

Our graduates acquire valuable research, analytical and critical, spatial thinking, ethical and professional skills. One student said: 'I found the PG Diploma to be something I enjoyed immensely during my time in Maynooth. The course offered an engaging outlook…and the options, such as working with a partner to learn Story Map through computer software, brought through a challenging yet rewarding side to university I had not yet felt'.

The skills learned allow our graduates to find employment in various fields, such as: education; administration; services; creative industries; and working with NGOs and local government authorities. Educators seeking to teach Geography at secondary level are exposed to the most recent research and pedagogical approaches in the field: 'As I was studying to become a secondary school teacher, I had the chance to focus on that side of my learning when doing assignments. The cooperation and communication with the department helped further my learning experience towards my future career. I truly enjoyed the year doing my PG Diploma and met some incredible people along the way who I feel I will keep in touch with. I want to thank the Department and my classmates for an unforgettable year'.