University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Geographical Sciences > Human Geography: Society and Space (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9GEOG005T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Thomas Jellis
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This programme aims to develop the student's interest in and knowledge and understanding of key philosophies, methods and sub-disciplines of human geography. It provides a grounding in the main theoretical approaches employed in human geography as they have been taken from the humanities and social sciences. It also provides training in a range of research methodologies, from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. The programme gives students the opportunity to develop this generic set of theoretical and methodological understandings in a number of substantive areas of human geography research. Substantive units focus on the geographies of affect and & technology; political economy/political ecology/materiality; geographies of knowledge and performativity; and spatial modelling. The Programme also emphasises training in both humanist and post-humanist methodologies, and a range of quantitative methodologies. The programme features both compulsory and non-compulsory elements so that the students gain experience in a variety of human geography areas and in a variety of philosophies and methods. The units are international in scope. The dissertation component of the MSc enables students to develop their skills in theory and method and their interests in particular areas of human geography.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Tutor-led seminar discussions, whole class and small-group exercises on human geography case studies. Independent learning is achieved through written assignments, presentations, project work and the dissertation. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Courses are assessed with a mixture of essays, presentations, and project work (the latter is particularly the case with the spatial modelling units) 15000 word dissertation |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Oral and written analytical skills and bibliographical skills are developed in all the units and assessed through the assignments. Computational skills are developed in the spatial modelling units. Research design, method, analysis and evaluation are dealt with in the units on quantitative and qualitative methodologies and in non-assessed workshops on dissertation preparation. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Analysis, reasoning and the evaluation of research evidence are assessed in the unit essays and dissertation. Oral communication is assessed in many of the units that have a presentation component. Self-directed research skills are assessed in the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Reading, writing, note taking and bibliographic skills are covered in all the courses – particularly in methods units – and assessed in assignments. Research management is taught and discussed in the methods units and developed through the dissertation. Dissemination is taught in the core skills provision and through class exercises. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Core reading, writing, note taking and bibliographic skills are assessed in terms of the clarity and structure of the unit essays and the dissertation. Research management is assessed through the unit projects – particularly the spatial modelling components – and through the dissertation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
All units are taught at level M. Students will gain an understanding of the key generic issues relating to current debates in human geography, and cognate disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. Stage 1 involves training in the key philosophical and social theoretical approaches employed in human geography research. It also includes training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and methodology. All these units are mandatory. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Students will develop their generic learning from stage 1 in the context of substantive areas of human geography. They will be expected to gain knowledge in these areas with greater critical abilities based on their prior learning in stage 1. Students will study courses in cultural and historical geography, in political-economic geography and in spatial modelling. All of these courses are mandatory. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
The dissertation is up to 15000 words and is the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme and the opportunity to apply the appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed to a piece of research supervised by a member of staff. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
The MSc in Human Geography: Society and Space has Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 1+3 recognition. 1+3 students on this programme are part of the SWDTC (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/fssl/swdtp/). Please see Postgraduate Prospectus for more information about Fees and Funding.
School of Geographical Sciences, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS. Email PG Administrator: geog-pgadmin@bristol.ac.uk
This programme is also available on a part time basis over two years.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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