Geopolitics MA (Hons)

This degree isn’t just about essays and theories — Dundee makes sure you actually experience geopolitics in real-world settings. From your second and third year onwards, you’ll head out on field trips, work on live research projects, use data tools in the lab, and learn how to investigate real political and environmental issues like a professional researcher. You’ll also have access to modern facilities, specialist libraries, and spaces designed for group work, presentations, and independent study.

To show you exactly what that looks like in this program, here are some of the hands-on learning opportunities you’ll experience:

• Residential field trips through modules like Advanced Field Research (Human Geography) — you travel as a group, collect data, interview communities, analyse landscapes and turn it into a real research output.

• Field & Laboratory Skills in Physical Geography (GE31020) — you’ll take sediment samples, measure trees for carbon storage, study river systems or coastal changes, then analyse everything in the lab using scientific equipment.

• Group-based political simulations and debates — especially in Politics modules, where you might role-play international negotiations, government decision-making or UN-style diplomacy.

• Independent dissertation in your final year — you choose a geopolitics topic (like borders, climate migration, war and resources, Arctic politics, etc.) and work one-on-one with a supervisor to produce original research.

• Access to the University Library & CreateSpace — Wi-Fi-enabled study rooms, bookable group workrooms, 3D printers, mapping tools, and data analysis software to support projects and dissertations.

• Specialist subject guides for Geography and Politics — giving you access to academic journals, policy databases, satellite data, GIS tools and political archives to support research.

• Safe and structured fieldwork policy — all off-campus field activities are fully supervised under the university’s Health and Safety Fieldwork Framework, so you can focus on learning and exploring safely.

A degree in Geopolitics from Dundee opens doors to careers where global awareness, decision-making, and policy understanding matter. Graduates go into roles like Policy Analyst, International Relations Officer, Political Researcher, NGO or Government Advisor, and even into fields like journalism, sustainability consulting and global business. The mix of politics and geography gives you an edge: you don’t just understand what is happening in the world — you understand why.

Now, in terms of real outcomes and support:

• 95% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing, with an average salary of £29,000 (Discover Uni – Politics at Dundee).

•  Around 50% secure highly skilled jobs in government, policy, research, business analysis or administration roles.

•  Dundee’s Careers Service offers one-on-one career coaching, CV help, internships, employer networking fairs and global opportunities from your first year — not just at graduation.

•  Students benefit from Dundee’s links with public-sector organisations, local government, NGOs and research institutes, which often lead to policy projects, volunteering or dissertation partnerships.

•  Because this program blends geography and politics, employers value it for its long-term relevance in sectors like diplomacy, environmental policy, security, law, humanitarian work and consultancy.

Further Academic Progression:

If you want to continue studying, this degree sets you up well for postgraduate study in areas like International Relations, Human Geography, Environmental Policy, Development Studies, Security and Intelligence Studies, or a PhD. Many students use this path to enter academic research, diplomacy, international organisations, or think-tanks.