Geography and International Relations, MA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Aberdeen

Program Overview

This joint degree brings together two powerful disciplines to help you understand how geography and politics shape our world. You’ll explore how people, places, environments, and global power systems interact — and gain the skills to address some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change and migration to conflict and inequality.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year builds a strong foundation in both geography and international relations. You’ll explore how humans have transformed the planet in Creating the Anthropocene, and how we can achieve global sustainability through The UN Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, Democracy and Governance (PI1018) introduces you to political systems and institutions, while Power and Conflict (PI1518) examines how power is shaped and contested on the world stage.

Year 2
In second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge and start tailoring the degree to your interests. Courses like Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations (PI2009) and Global Politics: Equality and Inequality (PI2508) explore key political theories and global justice issues. You’ll also continue building your geographic understanding across human and physical topics, developing the research and analytical skills you’ll need for advanced study.

Year 3
Your third year is all about exploration and specialization. Geography modules may take you into the field to study landscapes, sustainability, or urban development, while international relations modules like Research Methods in Politics and International Relations (PI3084) give you the tools to conduct your own research. You’ll also have the freedom to focus on advanced topics such as International Security (IR3518), Human Rights in Global Politics (PI3572), or Memory and Politics of the Past (PI3570).

Year 4 (Honours Year)
In your final year, you’ll bring everything together through an independent research dissertation on a topic that inspires you. Alongside this major project, you’ll choose from advanced modules across geography and international relations, exploring themes like geopolitics, migration, environmental change, and global governance — preparing you to tackle real-world problems in your future career.

Focus areas:
Human–environment interactions, sustainability and climate change, global governance and political systems, migration and inequality, spatial and policy research.

Learning outcomes:
You’ll graduate with the ability to connect geographic and political perspectives, conduct independent interdisciplinary research, critically analyse spatial and political data, and communicate complex global issues with confidence.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The Geography component of the degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), demonstrating the academic quality and professional relevance of your studies.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction in Human Geography (National Student Survey 2022) and is globally recognised for excellence in teaching and research in both geography and politics.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Aberdeen, studying Geography and International Relations means learning far beyond the classroom. From the very start, you’ll apply what you learn to the real world — whether that’s conducting fieldwork in breathtaking landscapes, analysing global issues with digital mapping tools, or developing independent research projects on topics that matter to you. The programme is designed to build your confidence as a researcher, communicator, and problem-solver, giving you the kind of hands-on experience employers truly value.

Here’s how your learning becomes practical throughout the degree:

Fieldwork from day one: You’ll explore local sites across Aberdeenshire, such as the Sands of Forvie, and progress to immersive residential field trips in places like the Isle of Skye and the Cairngorms. These trips are where classroom theory comes alive — you’ll measure landscapes, study ecosystems, and understand human–environment interactions firsthand.
International field courses: As you advance, you’ll have opportunities to study further afield, such as investigating glaciology and hydrology in the Alps or exploring urban and cultural geography in Amsterdam. These projects let you apply your knowledge to global issues and experience geography and politics in real contexts.
Independent dissertation project: In your final year, you’ll design and carry out your own research project in either geography or international relations. It’s a chance to dive deeply into a topic you’re passionate about — whether that’s climate policy, migration, geopolitics, or environmental change — and demonstrate your expertise to future employers or postgraduate programs.
Specialist research facilities and tools: You’ll have access to the School of Geosciences’ advanced laboratories, GIS and mapping technologies, and extensive digital resources to support your field and data analysis work.
Outstanding library and archives: The Sir Duncan Rice Library houses over a million books, extensive e-resources, and dedicated study spaces, giving you everything you need for in-depth research and collaborative projects.
Research-led teaching and projects: Many of your modules are directly linked to current research in areas like sustainability, the Anthropocene, food security, and land degradation — so you’re learning cutting-edge knowledge and often contributing to it.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A degree in Geography and International Relations from Aberdeen opens up a world of possibilities. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the skills, knowledge, and global perspective that employers across many sectors are actively looking for. Whether you want to tackle climate change, shape public policy, influence global development, or plan the cities of the future, this programme prepares you for roles such as policy analyst, environmental consultant, urban and regional planner, or international development officer.

Here’s how the University of Aberdeen supports your career journey and what you can expect after graduation:

Personalised career support: The university’s Careers and Employability Service is with you every step of the way — from helping you polish your CV and prepare for interviews to connecting you directly with employers through networking events, fairs, and the MyCareerHub job platform.
Strong graduate outcomes: Around 72% of geography graduates secure employment within six months, while many others continue their studies and specialise further.
Competitive salaries: Graduates in geography-related fields report average earnings of around £27,000 within 15 months of finishing their degree.
Powerful employer connections: Aberdeen graduates have gone on to work with organisations like the James Hutton Institute, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Aberdeenshire Council, and AECOM, applying their skills to real-world challenges.
Professional credibility: The geography part of your degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), a mark of quality that enhances your degree’s value and recognition worldwide.
Diverse career paths: Graduates from this programme have built careers in public policy, environmental management, journalism, NGOs, research, urban planning, and international development — often making a tangible difference in communities and on a global scale.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re passionate about continuing your academic journey, you’ll have excellent opportunities to pursue postgraduate study. Many students progress to master’s degrees in areas such as Environmental Science, Public Policy, International Development, Geopolitics, or GIS and Remote Sensing, and some go on to complete a PhD. This opens doors to advanced research roles, academic careers, or senior advisory positions in government and international organisations.