Cultural Geography (Research)

The MSc in Cultural Geography (Research) at Royal Holloway, University of London offers a comprehensive and rigorous postgraduate experience for students interested in exploring the complex relationships between people, places, and environments. This program is designed to provide advanced training in research methodologies within the field of cultural geography, enabling students to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and specialized knowledge necessary for academic, professional, or research careers. Throughout the course, students engage with a wide range of topics including spatial identities, cultural landscapes, urban and rural transformation, heritage, migration, and the impact of globalization on local cultures. The program emphasizes a strong research element, culminating in a substantial independent dissertation that allows students to investigate their specific interests under expert supervision. Students benefit from Royal Holloway’s vibrant academic community, access to excellent research facilities, and connections with practitioners and researchers both within the university and in the wider geographic community. The programme is suitable for those who aspire to pursue doctoral research, careers in cultural policy, heritage management, urban planning, or cultural consultancy. The programme combines theoretical frameworks with practical research skills, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to contribute meaningful insights into cultural geography issues facing contemporary societies. By the end of the course, students will have developed a detailed understanding of key debates and issues in cultural geography, along with the ability to produce high-quality research outputs. This program fosters an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging students to draw upon theories and methodologies from sociology, anthropology, history, and environmental studies, making it a versatile and dynamic choice for postgraduate education.

• Cultural Geographies: Key Ideas
• Cultural Geographies: Contemporary Debates
• Social Science Methods for Cultural Geographers
• GeoHumanities Research Methods for Cultural Geographers
• Research Training
• Dissertation
• Cultural Engagements
• Cultural Engagements: Placement Options 

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (Bakalavr). Students who have successfully completed a four year Bachelor's degree (Baklavar) in an appropriate subject with good grades/GPA and at a reputable university will be considered for entry to a Royal Holloway Master's degree programme. Exact requirements will depend upon the programme, but most departments will ask for a minimum final grade of either 3.5/5.0 (70%) or 4.0/5.0 (80%).
• Specialist Diploma. Students who have successfully completed a Specialist Diploma in an appropriate subject with good grades/GPA and at a reputable university will be considered for entry to a Royal Holloway Master's degree programme. Exact requirements will depend upon the programme, but most departments will ask for a minimum final grade of either 3.5/5.0 (70%) or 4.0/5.0 (80%). 
• IELTS 6.5 overall with 7 in writing and no subscore below 5.5
• You are required to register your one reference, even if you have uploaded a copy of their reference. You may be contacted to submit a 2nd reference if we need further information to assess your suitability for the programme you have applied for.
• Copies of the transcripts from your undergraduate degree (this can be a transcript of your progress so far if you have not yet completed it)
• Copies of any other qualifications you have taken that are relevant to your chosen course
• A supporting statement, explaining your motivation to study your chosen course
• One academic reference - you can either upload a copy (this is the quickest option) or your referee can enter them directly into the online system once you've completed the application

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• International Excellence Scholarships
• Global Education

Cultural Geography (Research) at Royal Holloway, University of London, offers students an in-depth opportunity to explore the complex relationships between cultures, societies, and the spatial environment. This program is designed for students who have a keen interest in understanding how cultural practices, identities, and meanings are spatially distributed and how they influence and are influenced by geographical contexts. The course provides a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical approaches with practical research skills, enabling students to undertake independent research projects and contribute new insights to the field of cultural geography.

Throughout the program, students engage with a broad range of topics including the cultural dimensions of urban environments, the role of place in shaping identities, the politics of space, and issues surrounding globalization and local cultures. They will examine case studies from around the world, gaining a nuanced understanding of how cultural processes operate within geographical settings. The research focus of the program emphasizes developing critical analysis, methodological rigor, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Students benefit from the department's active research community, attending seminars, workshops, and conferences that foster scholarly exchange and provide opportunities for networking with leading academics and practitioners in the field. The program also encourages interdisciplinary approaches, incorporating perspectives from anthropology, sociology, history, and political science to enrich students' understanding of cultural geography.

The research pathway prepares students for careers in academia, policy-making, cultural consulting, environmental planning, and related fields. It also offers a solid foundation for further postgraduate study, including PhD research. The program combines academic coursework with research training, offering access to extensive libraries, research facilities, and digital resources. Students are mentored by faculty who are experts in cultural geography, and they are expected to produce a substantial research thesis as a culmination of their studies.

Graduates of the program develop advanced skills in spatial analysis, ethnographic research, and critical thinking, making them well-equipped to analyze complex cultural landscapes and contribute to interdisciplinary debates on cultural and spatial issues. The program's emphasis on original research and practical application ensures that graduates are prepared for the challenges of academic, professional, and societal roles in understanding and shaping cultural spaces.