Loughborough University
Department of Geography

Why study in the Geography Department at Loughborough University?

We are a highly successful Department within one of the UK's top universities. Loughborough University is the Sunday Times University of the year 2008-9.  This award is based on the quality of the University's teaching and research, consistent high rankings in the UK National Student Survey and outstanding success in sport.  The University has also received the Times Higher award for the Best Student Experience (2006, 2007, 2008) and for Outstanding Support for Overseas Students (2007).  The Geography Department was graded 5 on a 5-point scale in the last UK Government research assessment exercise.

What do we do?

Our Department provides a friendly and exciting environment within which to work; a stimulating atmosphere of innovation is created by an enthusiastic staff of leading international researchers across a range of fields.  Students from other countries where there is no such a long-established tradition of geographical research might well be surprised both by the range of issues which geographers tackle and the number of areas of academic enquiry where geographers enjoy international academic leadership.

Our research and teaching can be divided into human and physical geography elements.

Human Geography

The Globalization and World Cities network, which is based here in Loughborough is an internationally-recognized research hub for work on Globalization with collaborators in universities across the world (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc).  We are well known for the critical, imaginative and international nature or our research.  For example, we have an international reputation for research in areas such as geopolitics and political geography, development studies and North-South relations and a variety of elements of social and cultural geography.  This includes citizenship and identity, the cultural geographies of health and disease and children/young people’s geographies.

If you are interested in these cutting edge areas of research you could apply to study on one of our Masters programmes.  We run two programmes focussing on different elements of globalization; MSc Global Transformations and MSc Globalization, Space and Sport (jointly taught with the renowned School of Sport and Exercise Sciences).  We are also the lead department in a cross-disciplinary programme entitled MSc International Financial and Political Relations which is run in collaboration with Loughborough’s Economics and Politics, International Relations and European Studies (PIRES) departments.

Physical Geography

Research in physical geography at Loughborough University focuses on the investigation of environmental systems and processes at different spatial and temporal scales.  This interest is pursued with a view to informing current environmental management and policy and aiding the interpretation of changes in climate and landscape.  We are at the forefront of international research in fluvial and limnology research and in arid environments research (both hot and cold).

Our research experiences have developed the conviction that environmental problem-solving and management must be informed by skilled scientists and technicians who are capable of asking the right questions, collecting the correct data, analysing it in an appropriate way an evaluating it in an applied context.  If you are interested in environmental problem-solving and management our Masters programme in Environmental Monitoring for Management would be an ideal way to acquire the necessary skills.  It is a unique programme with an emphasis on practical laboratory and field work and strong links with a number of environmental consultancy companies (for whom many of our graduates now work).

What about research degrees?

We are very keen to encourage applications from suitably-qualified candidates to join us in researching these exciting areas of academic enquiry.  We have a lively and growing group of postgraduate research students working in all of the research areas highlighted above.

As a postgraduate research students you can expect:

• Individual supervision by internationally-recognized researchers
• Encouragement and support in the utilization of the most up-to-date research techniques and methodologies
• A supportive environment for critical and original thinking
• A fully-integrated programme of postgraduate skills training
• Regular seminars, reading groups and inter-departmental activities
• A carefully designed system of supervision and monitoring designed to ensure student progression
• Selected financial support, competitive studentships and teaching opportunities.

The Loughborough Experience

Loughborough Students often talk about their experience of studying here as unique.  The campus is one of the largest purpose-built academic campuses in the UK and is a safe, spacious and comfortable place to live.  We are located in the green heart of England within easy reach of London and other major centres via first rate road and rail links.  Nottingham East Midlands is actually closer to Loughborough than to Nottingham and provides easy access to many destinations across Europe.  We have a strong record of attracting international students and currently boast over 2500 international students from around eighty different countries.  Our sporting reputation is second to none and as postgraduate student here you would have privileged access to what are amongst the best sporting facilities in the country.

What our students most often remark upon, however, is the atmosphere in the university and the department.  We have a reputation for being a friendly, welcoming and supportive place to live and study and we will do everything that we can to support you during the time that you spend with us.