14May
PostgraduateCourse summary
Masters study in Cultural Geography at Royal Holloway was founded in 1995 as one of the first masters programmes in the world to offer students focused engagement with the then emerging sub-discipline of Cultural Geography. Twenty five years later and Cultural Geography is one of the most dynamic sub-disciplines in contemporary geography. Our course reflects this dynamism, exploring the relationships between our physical world, human identity and mobility. The MRes in Cultural Geography is especially suited for students looking to progress to PhD study. Since 1995 about half of all the graduands of our Masters in Cultural Geography have progressed to funded PhD research, many becoming leading academics in the field. In this MRes we combine core concepts with intensive research methods training in the form of a long-form dissertation that is ideal preparation for further postgraduate study including PhD programs. Reflecting the collaborative and outward facing nature of our research culture, the curriculum also includes the potential for innovative placements and research engagements with some of the world’s top cultural institutions and creative organisations, located on our doorstep in London. In the Department of Geography you’ll join a vibrant research community (ranked 2nd in the UK for research excellence in the most recent REF2014 assessment) and contribute to our renowned research culture with your own independent dissertation project. In particular, you will work with the leading researchers based in our Social, Cultural and Historical Geography (SCHG) research group, and benefit from their links to the interdisciplinary Royal Holloway Centre for the GeoHumanities. Thematically cultural geography focuses on the interconnections between place, landscape, environment, mobilities and identity, and thus has profound relevance for the contemporary world. As well as progressing to doctoral study, our graduates go on to work in a range of sectors, including the arts and cultural sector, publishing, planning and urban policy, private and public sector research and insight. From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience, and this is particularly the case as we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as we can.
Modules
Core Modules Key Concepts in Cultural & Creative Geographies Research Methods for Social Science Advanced Research Methods for Global Futures Dissertation
Assessment method
Assessment is by coursework only. Formative feedback and detailed ongoing discussion of work before final submission is a central part of the teaching ethos of the course. Students also have significant autonomy in the selection of topics for coursework and dissertation allowing them to develop particular interests and specialisms. Each module has a specific assessment as follows: Key Concepts in Cultural & Creative Geographies – 5000 word essay (20 credits) Research Methods for Social Science – group presentation and 2000 word dissertation proposal (20 credits) Social Media & Audiencing – blog posts and a podcast or video (20 credits) Dissertation – 35000 – 40000 word dissertation (120 credits) Please note, these modules are currently provisional and are subject to module validation.
Entry requirements
2:1 Cultural Studies, Drama, English Literature, Geography, History, History of Art, Media Studies, Music, Sociology, Theatre Performance. Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘good 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9800 | Year 1 |
| EU | £20800 | Year 1 |
| England | £9800 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9800 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9800 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9800 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9800 | Year 1 |
| International | £20800 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2025/26. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26. For further information, please visit: https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX