ucl phd geography

UCL Department of Geography

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Welcome to your Geography subject guide

Photo by  cottonbro  from  Pexels

This guide has been put together by the Geography Subject Librarian and it is relevant to all students in the Department of Geography. You will find here an overview of the library resources and support available to you to help you in your studies or research.

Use the menu to find out what is available, including key information on:

• books and e-books .
• journals and e-journals .
• key databases .
• data sources .
• how to reference and use reference management software .
• other libraries .
• other resources .

Please get in touch through the help channels on this page if you have any enquiries! 

Subject Collections

Key electronic resources in your subject area include:

• Border and Migration Studies Online Border and Migration Studies Online is a collection that explores and provides historical background on more than thirty key worldwide border areas, including: U.S. and Mexico; the European Union; Afghanistan; Israel; Turkey; The Congo; Argentina; China; Thailand; and others.
• Digimap - Ordnance Survey Access for UCL students and staff only. Users must register with their UCL username and password on first use and agree to licence conditions. Online digital mapping and data extraction facilities using Ordnance Survey data of Great Britain. Login and choose "Ordnance Survey". Please note, from Aug 2019 OS Northern Ireland data is included.
• Elsevier Reference Collection in Earth Systems and Environmental Science This reference collection contains trusted, peer-reviewed, comprehensive content from Elsevier's reference works. It contains "Featured Articles" for quick, clear overviews and subject hierarchies to put information in context. Accessibility statement for ScienceDirect .
• GEOBASE See the LibrarySkills@UCL guide to Ovid . This database can be accessed by no more than 4 users at a time. Index of literature in the fields of physical and human geography, geology, oceanography, geomechanics, mineralogy, ecology and development studies.
• GeoRef See the LibrarySkills@UCL guide to Ovid . Index of literature in the geosciences. See GeoRef InProcess for provisional content.
• GreenFILE See the LibrarySkills@UCL guide to EBSCOhost . Index of scholarly, government and general-interest publications, covering all aspects of human impact on the environment.
• The International Encyclopedia of Geography : People, the Earth, Environment, and Technology This newly published work reviews and defines the concepts, research, and techniques in geography and interrelated fields.
• OECD iLibrary Index of publications from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Formerly SourceOECD.
• Royal Geographical Society Digital Archive (with Institute of British Geographers) The RGS’s archive contains vast collections of documents, maps, photographs, expedition reports, manuscript materials and books, and span 500 years of geography, travel and exploration.
• SCOPUS See the LibrarySkills@UCL guide to Scopus . Multi-disciplinary database containing references to journal articles, conference proceedings, trade publications, book series and web resources. Please use IE 8 or higher, Google Chrome or Firefox browsers.
• Web of Science A multidisciplinary database containing references to journal articles, conference proceedings, trade publications, book series and web resources.

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• Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 3:59 PM
• URL: https://library-guides.ucl.ac.uk/geography

Geography (practice-related) MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

As well as providing world-leading disciplinary and interdisciplinary research training, our programmes provide outstanding opportunities for networking across public, private and third sector organisations. With extensive experience in building partnerships, knowledge transfer, applied research and public engagement and impact, UCL Geography enables doctoral students to enhance their employment prospects while pursuing cutting-edge research.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Research programmes may start at any time of the year, but typically begin in September.

• Entry requirements

Normally a UK Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

UCL Geography is an established international leader in geographical research. We are committed to theoretically informed empirical research on major social and environmental issues. The department is distinctive in the scale and diversity of its research, as well as its international scope, collaborative links and policy orientation. Students are central to the department's research culture, are able to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities available, and are often involved in hosting events. All our graduate students have access to specialist laboratories and computing facilities.

Who this course is for

Our MPhil/PhD is suitable for candidates wishing to pursue research in a dynamic and supportive environment.

What this course will give you

UCL Geography provides a world-class environment for research students. UCL has been ranked the leading university in the UK for its research strength and the department, which is consistently rated among the best geography departments in the country, is currently ranked ninth in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).

The MPhil/PhD in Geography (practice-related) allows students to develop a thesis along with a body of creative work, which together make an original contribution to knowledge, enabling them to engage critically with growing interest in creative practices across the discipline and beyond.

The foundation of your career

A significant number of our recent research graduates have gone on to lectureships and many others into university research, at institutions such as King’s College London, Goldsmiths University of London, the University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore and California College of the Arts. Having gained a variety of technical and analytical skills as well as in-depth substantive expertise in particular fields, others have entered professions within government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

Employability

Skills development is an important component of the research degree process, and UCL provides a strong and varied graduate skills development programme. Within UCL Geography, research students have access to state-of-the-art research equipment, a variety of data archives and receive research council-level training in methodology. The department also offers research students a range of teaching assistant opportunities that provide valuable experience. Our established track record in partnership working, knowledge transfer, applied research, public engagement and impact further enables students to gain broad experience to support career development.

Our graduate students attend and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences within the department and within interdisciplinary research centres across UCL, providing opportunities to network with leading academics across a variety of research fields. RCUK-funded students in the department have additional opportunities to interact with non-academic partners, to develop collaborations and to spend time developing their skills in public, private and third sector organisations. Students are also supported to participate in public workshops, seminars, conferences and other events related to their research, providing further networking opportunities.

Teaching and learning

Research areas and structure

• Past climates
• Environmental change and biodiversity
• Environmental modelling and observation
• Global urbanisms
• Environment, politics and society
• Culture and mobility
• Geospatial analytics and computing

Please visit the departmental website for full details on the research areas.

Research environment

UCL Geography is an established international leader in geographical research. We are committed to theoretically-informed empirical research on major social and environmental issues. The department is distinctive in the scale and diversity of its research, as well as its international scope, collaborative links and policy orientation. We support a multiplicity of styles and scales of research, nurturing the very best of individual scholarship, concentrating strategically in areas where we can make a distinctive, significant and conceptually innovative contribution.

The quality of individual researchers in Geography, allied with our institutional strengths, laboratories and computing facilities should provide you with the opportunity to develop your projects, upgrade to PhD status, and to realise your research at PhD level. The aim is to support you to complete your project within the timescales envisaged by UCL and funding bodies. In addition to developing necessary skills for your research with the supervisory teams, generic research training is offered in weekly seminars in term two of year one. A wide range of professional development opportunities, including training, teaching positions and academic event hosting should also be available to you. The department also attracts prestigious scholarships and studentships for postgraduate research, enabling you to conduct fieldwork around the world.

The PhD is examined by a viva committee comprising of two experts in the field, an external examiner who can be based anywhere in the world, and an internal examiner who is normally from the University College London. You should not have had much prior contact with either examiner. Your supervisor nominates suitable examiners during your final year, in consultation with you, and the nominations are scrutinised by UCL’s examinations office who may approve or reject them. 

The examiners have several weeks, or sometimes months, to read your thesis in detail. The viva exam is a meeting in which the examiners and yourself discuss your work, both through direct questions and more informal conversation, and it normally takes two or more hours.

Research students will normally have a one-on-one meeting with their primary supervisor once a month, but the frequency varies depending on the needs of the student and the point where they are at with their research and writing.

• Recent environmental change and biodiversity

The quality of individual researchers in Geography, allied with our institutional strengths, laboratories and computing facilities should provide you with the opportunity to develop your projects, upgrade to PhD status, and to realise your research at PhD level. The aim is to support you to complete your project within the timescales envisaged by UCL and funding bodies. In addition to developing necessary skills for your research with the supervisory teams, generic research training is offered in weekly seminars in term two of year one. This requires attendance on campus throughout Term 2 of year one. A wide range of professional development opportunities, including training, teaching positions and academic event hosting should also be available to you. The department also attracts prestigious scholarships and studentships for postgraduate research, enabling you to conduct fieldwork around the world.

At the UCL Department of Geography you can work towards an MPhil/PhD in Geography (practice-related), which should enable you to develop a thesis alongside a body of creative work, which together make an original contribution to knowledge. Applying for admission to the Geography (practice-related) route, you will be expected to have demonstrable prior training and experience in the field of creative practice that you wish to develop. This route will give you the opportunity to further develop your practice in tandem with rigorous academic research training in Geography.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 3 years for full-time. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 12 months after initial registration. Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration we would expect you to be completing or nearing completion of your thesis. In the majority of cases you may register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis, but you would need to approve this with any funding body you are associated with.

In your first year, in the second term, you will be required to take part in a departmental mandatory programme of weekly training seminars. The seminars aim to develop your understanding of what the (UCL) PhD is, build towards your research presentation and upgrade, and strengthen your ability to complete an excellent PhD in a timely manner. Importantly the seminars also serve to enhance the research student community by getting you together with your peers to discuss your projects.

At the end of your first year/beginning of your second year, you will be expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD you are required to submit a substantial piece of writing as well as an element of creative practice. You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to an upgrade panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the department/faculty who acts as an independent assessor. You must also make a presentation in the department and have a web page on the Geography department website and ensure your student research log is up to date with key milestones completed.

The length of registration for the research degree is five years part-time. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transferring to the PhD after successfully upgrading.     We will support you throughout your research. In your first year, you will be asked to plan the basic structure of your project and attend our departmental induction courses.     In your second or third year, you are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD student status. To successfully upgrade to a PhD you are required to submit a piece of writing (this is usually based on at least one chapter from your thesis and a chapter plan for the remainder). You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to an upgrade panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the department/faculty who acts as an independent assessor. You must also deliver a presentation in the department and have a web page on the Geography department website and ensure your student research log is up to date with key milestones completed.    In subsequent years, you will be continued to be supported by your supervisors. As a part-time student, if you are not ready to submit at the end of the fifth year, you may be able to register as a Completing Research Status (CRS) student for two further years while you write up your thesis. While on CRS you will have continued access to UCL facilities and are not required to pay fees.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Previous research students have received funding through a range of awards such as the UK Research Council, University and Commonwealth Scholarships, and we also have a number of students who self-fund or obtain work-associated funding. Funding opportunities vary from year to year, so please check the UCL Geography website for up-to-date information.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (ROS)

Deadline: 12 January 2024 Value: UK rate fees, a maintenance stipend, conference costs and professional development package (3 years) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: UK

The Geography Department favours a start date at the start of the academic year but will accept non-standard start times at the start of Term 2 (January). Please contact the Geography Postgraduate Research team prior to making an application if your intended start time would not be at the start of the academic year (end of September).

Although Geography operates a rolling admission, in order to ensure necessary processes can be completed (such as for a visa for international/overseas students) we recommend making your application before the end of May at the latest for a start at the end of September. If we receive your application after this date we may need to defer your start date to the following January if you cannot ensure that you will arrive to campus for the start of the academic year.

Please follow the guidance on making your application and the required steps in finding a suitable supervisor before you apply via the UCL Geography postgraduate research webpages .

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

[email protected]

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Rob Higham Profile page

• Associate Professor IOE - Learning & Leadership
• [email protected]
• University College London, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL, United Kingdom

Rob’s research explores the organisation of state schools, educational and socio-economic inequalities, the operation of markets in schooling and the involvement of civil society groups and businesses in the opening and governing of state schools. Rob is currently undertaking research into ‘new models of schooling’ in England, including free schools and academies. This is particularly interested in: which non-state actors gain access to state funds to open new schools; what educational aims they seek to promote; who their schools serve; whether and, if so, what competitive pressures these schools create for existing neighbouring schools; and how this influences the experiences and outcomes of students. A recent article on free schools and social selection can be found here: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ioep/clre/2018/00000016/00000002/art00002 Rob has also explored how school leaders in England have interpreted and begun to respond to wider educational policy reforms introduced and/or intensified from 2010 – including in a Nuffield Foundation funded public report entitled 'Hierarchy, Markets and Networks' - which can be found here: https://www.ucl-ioe-press.com/books/education-policy/hierarchy-markets-and-networks/ Rob has also pursued research on social inequality and education in South Africa and India, including as part of a British Academy UK South Asia Partnership with partners in England, India and Nepal. New PhD and EdD students – Rob welcomes expressions of interest from potential doctoral students, particularly those proposing: - detailed analysis of academies, free schools, studio schools, University Technical Colleges or multi-academy trusts in England; and/or - research internationally into school system reforms, quasi-market mechanisms, private sector involvement in and privatization of schooling; teachers, school leaders or parents involvement in and/or resistance to educational reform processes. Rob studied Geography at the University of Cambridge before undertaking a PhD at the Geography Department of Queen Mary College, University of London. Rob then worked for five year in central Government at the (then) Department of Education and Skills. Since joining the Institute of Education, Rob has been seconded to the National Audit Office to support the research design and analysis for the NAO Academies Programme reports (in 2010 and 2012). Rob has also given oral evidence to the House of Common Select Committee on Education, as part of its inquiry into Academies and Free School.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON APPOINTMENTS

• Senior Lecturer in Education University College London, IOE - Learning & Leadership

FIELDS OF RESEARCH

• Specialist studies in education
• Education systems
• Anthropology
• Policy and administration
• Development studies
• Education policy, sociology and philosophy

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Human Geography MPhil/PhD

Ucl (university college london), different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Art History

Course type

UCL Geography is an established international leader in geographical research. We are committed to theoretically informed empirical research on major social and environmental issues. The department is distinctive in the scale and diversity of its research, as well as its international scope, collaborative links and policy orientation. Students are central to the department's research culture, and are offered access to specialist laboratories and computing facilities as well as professional development opportunities, including training, teaching experience and academic event hosting.

A significant number of our recent research graduates have gone on to lectureships and many others into university research, at institutions such as King’s College London, the University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore and California College of the Arts. Having gained a variety of technical and analytical skills as well as in-depth substantive expertise in particular fields, others have entered professions within government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

Employability

Skills development is an important component of the research degree process, and UCL provides a strong and varied graduate skills development programme. Within UCL Geography, research students have access to state-of-the-art research equipment, a variety of data archives and receive research council level training in methodology. The department also offers research students a range of teaching assistant opportunities that provide valuable experience. Our established track record in partnership working, knowledge transfer, applied research, public engagement and impact further enables students to gain broad experience to support career development.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

A UK Master's degree in a relevant discipline (pass of 68% or better), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Students are normally required to have achieved an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s or its overseas equivalent at first degree level.

UCL (University College London) is consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the world, conducting leading research across a wide range of subject areas. Throughout its long and prestigious history, it has inspired and educated countless minds and produced 30 Nobel prize recipients. With one campus located in the heart of Bloomsbury and a second campus in vibrant east London, the university is home to around 42,000 students... more

History of Art MPhil/PhD

Full time | 3 years | 23-SEP-24

History of Art MA

Full time | 1 year | 23-SEP-24

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Graduate Program: Geography

UCLA's Graduate Program in Geography offers the following degree(s):

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Masters available on Doctoral track

With questions not answered here or on the program’s site (above), please contact the program directly.

Geography Graduate Program at UCLA 1255 Bunche Hall Box 951524 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1524

Visit the Geography Department’s faculty roster

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Visit the registrar's site for the Geography Department’s course descriptions

• Admission Requirements
• Program Statistics

(310) 825-1071

[email protected]

MAJOR CODE: GEOGRAPHY