What will I learn?

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 you will 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 you will 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. 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.