We work proactively to provide a vibrant learning and teaching environment in the School, one that supports innovation and creativity as well as promoting engagement and participation in all that we do.— Professor Philippa Williams, Director of Education
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (2024)
Our approach to teaching and learning is informed by university-wide best practice, external benchmarking standards and builds on the knowledge and experience of staff within the School of Geography.
Six guiding principles define what you can expect from teaching on our postgraduate Masters programmes. Your learning will be:
We regularly review our key teaching and learning approaches. Students also feed into these discussions as active participants in our learning community and we act on their feedback raised through regular module evaluations and our Student Voice Committee.
Specialise and achieve your goals with a postgraduate degree in geography, global development and environmental science from a QS World Top 150 School (2024).
Our programmes are delivered through a range of different teaching and learning methods. On average, you will spend 8-12 hours a week in a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, lab sessions and practical classes - depending on your programme. You will also have regular one-to-one meetings with your dissertation supervisor as you prepare for your independent research project and plan your career after graduation.
Many of the modules also include fieldwork components (in London, the rest of the UK and - on some programmes - overseas) where you can spend time in the field with members of staff and other students, putting your classroom learning into real-world context. We also have excellent teaching facilities and have invested significantly in world-leading laboratories and equipment to support analysis and fieldwork for our Geography, Global Development and Environmental Science programmes.
For every hour spent in classes you will be expected to complete a further 4-6 hours of independent study. Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions, reading, producing coursework, and completing projects.
The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability.
Independent study will foster in you the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the next step in your career after graduation.
Most of our modules are assessed through coursework, although some modules on programmes taught with other Schools in the university have examinations as well. Coursework takes a variety of forms, including extended essays, short reports, posters, oral presentations and group work. You will also participate in problem-based learning, where you work in small, collaborative groups with guidance from the lecturer or seminar leader.
Coursework is submitted throughout the academic year. Exams are held in January and May each year and may include short answer questions, problem solving or essays. All students must complete a dissertation showcasing a piece of their own original research on a topic of their choosing.
Enhance your skills through our extensive careers and employability activities, which provide opportunities for personal and professional development.
Everything you need to know about funding your degree, including scholarships and bursaries.
Our Open Events are the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about the world-class teaching and research conducted at Queen Mary University of London.