Geography at NUI Galway

Welcome to Geography at NUI Galway! Forming part of the School of Geography and Archaeology, we are one of the largest and most vibrant Disciplines in the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies, and have built a strong reputation for research and teaching excellence through the work of our dedicated and inspiring staff, who have extensive experience nationally and internationally. We are committed to ensuring that all Geography students (currently over 1400 undergraduates and 40 PhD, MLitt and MA graduates) and postdoctoral research fellows enjoy a quality university experience in terms of teaching, research and civic engagement. 

Our Vision

Our core undertaking is to stimulate students' thinking about geography – both theoretically and across a wide diversity of applied contexts – to educate confident, capable and critical geographers, researchers and citizens. In particular we encourage and develop our students' abilities of exploration and critical analysis in multiple real-world contexts; how they explore and understand different relationships between humans and the environment; how they consider diverse spatial interactions; how they critically evaluate the genesis of research results and arguments; and how they become informed by, and engaged with, the politics of space and instrumental geographical knowledge.

Our Committment

Geography has built a strong international reputation for excellence in research, with current successes including EU Framework 7, Marie Curie, INTERREG, EPA, PRTLI 4 and IRCHSS funded research. We have four key research clusters. We also recognise the significance of research in our curriculum with all students supported in undertaking independent research through self-directed learning projects and field and laboratory work in Ireland and overseas. Cognisant of practical work context demands, we further ensure that our students acquire communication, management, problem solving, decision making and leadership skills through the range of modules we offer. For greater detail on our research clusters and undergraduate and graduate programme opportunities, please browse through our website which we trust you will find helpful and informative.

John McDonagh 
Head of Geography