About Cultural Geography Mres in Royal Holloway, University of London
The course
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.
Your future career
Study MRes Cultural Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London and you’ll be well placed to progress to PhD study or to a rewarding career in your chosen field. This research-based programme sees more than 50% of graduates progress to doctoral study.
This programme is structured to maximise graduate employability and further education prospects, with transferable skills sessions, career development sessions and workshops taking place to help graduates you achieve your career ambitions. We help our students to work on their PhD applications, and also help to arrange placements with some of the world’s top cultural institutions – including the V&A Museum, the Museum of London, the British Library, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Royal Geographical Society.
- 90% of Royal Holloway graduates in work or further education within six months of graduating.
- More than 50% of Cultural Geography students progress to PhD study.
- Transferable skills sessions, career development sessions and workshops help you to achieve your career ambitions.
Academic qualification equivalents
- Bachelor degree with 60% to 65% overall or a CGPA of 6.0 to 6.5 out of 10 overall depending on the institution.
English language requirements (one of the below):
- IELTS : 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- PTE : 61 overall. Writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
Royal Holloway, University of London Highlights
Type of university |
Public |
Establishment Year |
1849 |
Campus Setting |
Urban |
Location |
Egham, Surrey, England |
Total Number of Students Enrolled (December 2019) |
10,593 |
Total Number of Undergraduate Students Enrolled |
8,393 |
Total Number of Graduate Students Enrolled |
2200 |
Number of International Students |
2,086 |
Type of Programs |
Undergraduate, graduate, graduate-research |
Mode of Application |
Online |
Financial aid |
Scholarships/ Loans/ Work-Study |
The cost of attendance for international students for 2020-21 sessions is tabulated below:Royal Holloway, University of London The Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses
Expenditure Item |
Amount (per year) |
Tuition |
15,900 - 22,600 GBP |
Living cost |
8,000 - 12,000 GBP |
Accommodation |
3,575- 8,680 GBP |
Food |
40-60 per week GBP |
Social life |
50 per week GBP |
Transport |
760 GBP |
Books |
300- 450 GBP |
The tuition fee for undergraduate and graduate students varies from program to program. Some programs and respective tuition fee are tabulated below:
Undergraduate programs
Name of Program |
Tuition Fee for international students |
Business and Management |
18,800 GBP |
Engineering |
21,400 GBP |
Law |
17,700 GBP |
Computer Science |
21,400 GBP |
Economics |
18,800 GBP |
Graduate programs
Name of Program |
Tuition Fee for international students |
Business and Management |
19,000 GBP |
Engineering |
19,000 GBP |
Law |
17,900 GBP |
Psychology |
19,000 GBP |
English |
17,900 GBP |
Drama, Theater and Dance |
21,000 GBP |
Information Security |
21,000 GBP |