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 2021: 465
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 525
CAO Code: DN520 BA Joint Hounours
CAO Points Range 2020: 356
Length of Course: 3 Years
Average Intake: 420
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?
Geography is the only discipline that combines the study of both the natural and social worlds, and their interaction, and is key to solving global problems such as climate change, poverty, migration, urbanisation and environmental management. Do you want to make sense of this 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 politico-economic 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:
- GIS specialists working with local government agencies and private industry (e.g. ESRI, ICON).
- Researchers and policy analysts with Teagasc, ESRI, NGOs and governmental 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.
- In other varied organisations such as Google, Habitat for Humanity, Deloitte and property consultancies.
Many Geography graduates continue with further study of their discipline or proceed directly to Master’s degrees in social or environmental sciences, law, or business.
What Will I Study
First Year
Topics include:
- Geography Matters
- Mapping a Sustainable World
- Dynamic Earth
- People, Places and Regions
- Plus another subject
- Plus Elective module
Second Year
Topics include:
- Introduction to GIS for the Social Sciences
- Field Studies in Ireland
- Global Historical Geographies
- Rivers, Estuaries and Coasts
- Weather, Climate and Climate Change
- Quaternary Environmental Change
- Political Geography
- Cities in a Global World
- Plus another subject
- Plus Elective modules
Third Year
Topics include:
- Social/Population Geography
- Multi-media Methods for Social Sciences
- Overseas field trip
- Environment and Sustainability
- Development of Dublin
- Development of Geographies
- The Quaternary of Ireland
- Global Risks & Resilience
- River Catchment Management
- Research Skills
- Plus another subject
- Plus Elective modules
BSc Geography students may apply in their third year to do an internship or study abroad.
Fourth Year
BSc Geography students may choose from a range of specialist topics and undertake intensive research skills, including completing a substantial research project. These include:
- Critical Ideas in Geography
- Planetary Geomorphology
- The Urban Environment
- Historical Geography of Ireland
- Environmental Assessment
- US Foreign Policy
- Projects in GIS
- Political Geography of EU Integration
- Dissertation
How Will I Study
| Study 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 Joint Honours) |
|---|
as a Joint Major 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
- USA
Testimonial
“Studying Geography at UCD has been such an incredible experience so far! All of my lecturers are prominent publishing researchers in their respective fields and the modules are designed to help grow your interdisciplinary knowledge of people, space and place. But my favourite is the interactive hands on learning. I’ve had several opportunities to work in the field alongside my lecturers both in Ireland and abroad which has given me an invaluable opportunity to grow my professional network.”
Raelene Wnuk, Student
