Key Info
Geography
Entry route(s):
At UL, Geography can be taken on both Bachelor of Arts (LM002) & Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences (LM019) Subject combinations and course structures can be reviewed on the corresponding programme page.
Geography is central to how we understand the world we inhabit. In an increasingly globalised world, understanding how individuals and groups interact with their physical environments is critical to planning sustainable societies. The challenges and opportunities of urbanisation, economic growth, migration, and environmental degradation will be examined along with one of the most critical issues facing our time: the rapid and extreme changes in our climate. Climate change impacts physical and social spaces in the shorter- and longer-terms, manifesting concerns that span generations, and requiring localised immediate community initiatives (planning and development).
Studying geography will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle and plan for the future needs of society. Through lectures, tutorials, lab work and field trips, you will be equipped to identify, analyse and explain complex human and natural phenomena in a succinct and clear manner. You will learn to work as members of a team, as well as working independently, all the while developing your critical thinking skills.
About you
You are interested in critical global, national and local issues such as climate change, inequality, migration, physical degradation and natural resource management. You want to make sense of our highly complex world and become an informed citizen.
You want to learn field and laboratory techniques that are highly valued by employers, such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS). You want to pass your knowledge on to future generations either by informing public policy debates and/or as an educator.
Why study Geography ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ?
Globalisation, geopolitics, population change, and sustainability are amongst the greatest challenges confronting society in the twenty-first century. Selecting Geography as a subject within the BA Arts or BSc Social Science programmes in UL enables you to understand these issues and the ways in which they shape the world.
At UL you will develop expert knowledge and skills to interrogate the range of different approaches to, and perspectives on these issues, as well as the ability to understand how they interact.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
The modules shown below are just for this subject however, students take five modules each semester. The mix of modules will depend on which course you are studying. More information on subject combinations is available on the course page for either Bachelor of Arts (LM002) and BSc. Social Sciences (LM019) . Modules are subject to change.
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |
| GY4001 | GY4002 | ||
| Year 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | |
| GY4051 | Cooperative Education Work Placement | ||
| GY4033 | |||
| Year 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 Students select two modules | |
| Erasmus/Exchange placement with a partner institution abroad | GY4006 | ||
| GY4027 | |||
| GY4012 | |||
| Year 4 | Semester 7 Students select two modules | Semester 8 Students select two modules | |
| GY4787 | GY4028 | ||
| GY4037 | GY4038 | ||
| GY4007 | GY4008 |
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |
| GY4001 | Introduction to Human Geography | GY4002 | |
| Year 2 | Semester 3 If taking this subject as a major on BSc. Social Sciences, students select two modules. If taking it as a minor, students select one module. | Semester 4 | |
| GY4051 | Cooperative Education Work Placement | ||
| GY4033 | |||
| Year 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 If taking this subject as a major on BSc. Social Sciences, students select two modules. If taking it as a minor, students select one module. | |
| Erasmus/Exchange placement with a partner institution abroad | GY4006 | ||
| GY4027 | |||
| GY4012 | |||
| Year 4 | Semester 7 If taking this subject as a major on BSc. Social Sciences, students select two modules. If taking it as a minor, students select one module. | Semester 8 If taking this subject as a major on BSc. Social Sciences, students select two modules. If taking it as a minor, students select one module. | |
| GY4787 | GY4028 | ||
| GY4037 | GY4038 | ||
| GY4007 | GY4008 |
Geography ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ consists of modules in both human and physical geography. In your first year you will begin by exploring the key concepts and processes in geography before progressing to more advanced study of earth science and society, natural hazards, environmental issues, sustainability, population, migration, cultural and historical geography, and methods for geographical research. The modules are taught through a mix of lectures, tutorials, labs and fieldwork each of which will help you to develop the skills necessary to think critically about how and why our physical world shapes human interactions, and vice versa. In your second and third years you will also have the opportunity to work outside of UL on the co-operative education placement programme and study geography abroad at one of our partner institutions. In your final year, you will have the freedom to devise and carry out your own piece of research, either as an individual or in a small group, on a variety of specialist topics. In addition, modules focus on integrated geography - the branch of geography that describes and explains the spatial aspects of interactions between human individuals or societies and their natural environment and natural systems.
Entry requirements
| Additional considerations |
Entry requirements are dependent on your programme of choice. Please click your preferred programme below: For certain subjects, additional special qualifications specific to individual subjects or disciplines may be determined by the respective departments in accordance with Academic Council regulations. Applications are especially welcome from Mature Students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. QQI Entry Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for both LM002 and LM019. More information on the UL Admissions QQI page including a full list of modules. |
|---|---|
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | or |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €5,660 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €5,660 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €5,660 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €16,798 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €16,900 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €102. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 years' duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the .
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Civic Engagement Scholarship | €1500 | 1 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Irish American Partnership Access Scholarships | €5,000 | 2 |
| Love Actually Charity (LAC) Scholarship | €1,000 | 3 |
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
Your future career
Geography graduates find work in a wide range of careers including:
- Geographic Information Systems
- Urban Planning
- Teaching (Professional Master of Education required)
- Tourism
- Heritage organisations)
- Civil service
- Non-governmental Organisations (NGO)
- Regional and local community development
- Academic research
Follow-On Study:
- MSc/MA /PhD Research
Student Profiles
Marc Moser, Bachelor of Arts
I looked at universities for years, trying to find the best fit for what I wanted to do and what I wanted to experience. For most of that time, I looked exclusively in the United States, which is where I am from. However, I could not find a school that would give me an education quite like the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. Within the Bachelor of Arts program, I am required to not only study abroad and experience life in a different university, but I am also required to participate in a six-month work internship. Both the study abroad and the work internship provides me with an opportunity that I would struggle to obtain in any other university.
Within my course itself, the Bachelor of Arts, I was afforded a large amount of flexibility in choosing my subjects which helped me discover my love for both Geography and Politics. I chose Geography due to the growing importance of environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as attempting to understand our role in improving our relationship with the Earth’s systems. In order to achieve these things, the UL Geography department teaches students to use different software that is being used to make important decisions regarding environmental policies, infrastructure design, and more.
Another benefit of studying the Bachelor of Arts ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ is that all students are given the opportunity to study two subjects. I took full advantage of the opportunity, which I recommend all prospective students to do, and picked Politics as my second choice. The Politics course ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ has a plethora of different pathways and modules, for me, my studies involve in depth studies about the relationships between international governments and the effectiveness of those governments. Combining this with my Geography course will give me the ability to understand how governments can enact far reaching environmental policies.
Choosing to study ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ is a decision I have yet to regret, and one that I probably will never regret. If you are interested in how the Earth operates and in how humanity operates, I fully recommend taking on this program.
James White
Being from Limerick, choosing UL was a natural choice for me and the Bachelor of Arts was suggested to me because I always wanted to be a primary school teacher.
I picked Geography because it was my favourite subject in school and I study it with Digital Culture. Geography is much more hands-on at university than it was in secondary school. I enjoy the group work and the fact that it is relevant to so many aspects of life. We cover topics that I hadn’t been exposed to before, like historical geography modules and mapping with Geographic Information Systems. Geography lecturers in UL are very supportive and approachable. I plan to go on and complete a Professional Masters of Education and then work as a teacher.
Coop and Erasmus were definite highlights for me. For my coop, I went back to my old primary school. I loved every minute of it and it cemented the fact that I want to be a teacher. I then went to Malta for my Erasmus. I had lectures that were outdoors, I met people from all over the world and got to experience living overseas, it was an amazing experience.
My advice to new students is to come in with an open mind, especially for group projects.
