Course Information
BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8) or BA (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Full Time - Undergraduate Studies
CAO Code: DN700 BSc Social Sciences
CAO Points Range 2018: 392
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 500
CAO Code: DN520 BA Arts
CAO Points Range 2018: 381
Length of Course: 3 Years
Average Intake: 350
DN700 – O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics and three other recognised subjects
DN520 – English, Irish, A third Language, Three other recognised subjects
Why is this course for me?
Are you interested in pressing global, national and local issues such as climate change, and hazard management? Do you want to make sense of our highly complex world and become an informed global citizen? Do you want to learn IT, field and laboratory techniques highly valued by employers such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS)? By studying Geography in UCD, you will understand the context in which environmental, socio-cultural and politicoeconomic decision-making takes place and develop skills that prepare you for the workplaces and societies of tomorrow.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Our graduates have found employment as:
- Geography researchers and policy analysts with Teagasc, ESRI, NGOs and government departments.
- GIS specialists working, for example, with the Local Government Management Agency.
- Planners in both local government and private sector consultancies.
- Educators at primary and second level, as well as in high-profile national and international universities.
- Environmental researchers and consultants in the state and private sectors.
Many Geography graduates continue with further study of their discipline or proceed directly to Master’s degrees in social sciences, law, or business.
What Will I Study
First Year
Topics include:
- Societal Challenges in the twenty first century
- Mapping Your World
- Humans and Environments through Space and Time
- Earth Systems
- People, Places and Regions
- Plus another subject
- Plus an Elective module.
Second Year
Topics include:
- Geographical Research Techniques
- Quaternary Environmental Change
- Political Geography
- World Urbanisation
- Global Historical Geographies
- Plus another subject
- Plus Elective modules.
Third Year
Topics include:
- Ideas in Geography
- Geographic Information Systems
- River Catchment Management
- The Quaternary of Ireland
- Planetary Geomorphology
- Political Geography of EU Integration
- US Foreign Policy
- Development Geographies
- Creative Cities
- Environmental Management
- Plus another subject
- Plus Elective modules.
BSc Geography students may apply in their Third Year to do an internship or study abroad. Students studying Geography with Chinese will study abroad for their third year.
Fourth Year
BSc Geography students may choose from a range of specialist topics and undertake intensive research skills, including completing a substantial research project.
How Will I Study
| Studying Geography (BSc Social Sciences) |
|---|
as a Joint Major with one of the subjects below:
OR - with one Minor subject:
OR - within a pathway:
| Studying Geography (BA Arts) |
|---|
as a Joint Major with one of the following:
as a Minor with one of the following:
International Study Opportunities
International opportunities have included exchanges to:
- Cologne, Germany
- Grenoble, France
- Barcelona, Spain
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Pisa, Italy
- Melbourne, Australia
- Chicago, USA
- Santa Barbara, California, USA.
Testimonial
“UCD School of Geography has a diverse range of people and subjects that makes it an excellent choice for any prospective undergraduate. Subject matters range from river morphology to urban environments all the way to geopolitics and globalisation, which enable students to pursue a broad range of physical and human geography-based careers. For me personally, I’ve capitalised on skills and connections made during my academic career which has enabled me to thrive in a PhD programme within the university.”
Niall Buckley BA Geography, MSc Urban Environment