Geography and Planning

Urban planners collaborate with a wide range of interest groups to positively influence outcomes in the development of cities and the countryside. These include politicians, communities, property developers, the renewable energy sector, environmentalists, and the public health sectors.

Learn about the historical development of cities, as well as their current complex problems and opportunities. How cities and their surroundings develop is complicated and ever changing. This results in global challenges that impact on people's health, well-being, and access to essential services such as roads, water, housing, and transportation.

You'll develop skills that can help you shape the future outcomes of cities across the world. Dundee City itself, together with its surroundings, forms an ideal laboratory.

In Geography you study both social and physical sciences to analyse and understand major challenges facing the world. You will develop creative skills in problem solving, presentation, and communication. Organisations to help them solve problems that they are currently facing.

Our teaching is based on the research carried out in the department and is focused on three broad themes: creating just communities and places, shaping environmental futures, and geospatial and digital methods.

You will cover specialisms within these themes including:

• health and well being
• city futures
• geopolitics and power
• tourism and globalisation
• policing and security
• hazards and risk

We have close links to the planning profession and our graduates readily find work in Scotland, the UK, and abroad.

They perform a variety of tasks such as:

• preparing national and regional development strategies
• regenerating declining urban areas
• shaping new and sustainable housing
• protecting and enhancing historic buildings
• promoting biodiversity
• conserving nature sites
• negotiating with property developers
• engaging with local people

The MA degree will provide you with a sound knowledge and understanding of the built and natural environment and a range of transferable skills such as problem solving, communications, and team working.

Studies by the Royal Geographical Society show that Geography degrees are an excellent basis for developing the transferable skills and knowledge that many employers value. You will be skilled in communication, problem solving, analysis and interpretation.

Many of our graduates pursue Geography-related careers in development or environmental consultancies, government, tourism, planning and teaching.