Cultural Geography

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 5th in the UK for research excellence in the most recent REF2021 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.