Geography Masters Personal Statement Sample

Welcome! If you’re gearing up to apply for a Masters in Geography, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and a bit of pressure, especially when it comes to writing your personal statement. But don’t worry—we’ve got your back! This sample is designed to inspire you and help you find the right words to express your passion for geography. Let’s dive in and get you ready to impress those admissions committees!

Consider this your spark of inspiration, not a strict template to follow. If you're looking for some solid advice, definitely check out our full guide on crafting an awesome postgraduate personal statement. It won’t do the writing for you, but it’ll definitely make the whole process a bit easier (and maybe even fun)!

As awareness grows about the impact of climate change on our planet, geography has become an increasingly important topic that can help offer solutions to many new arising problems. I am particularly interested in specialising in coastal geography as rising sea levels and extreme weather events are proving to become a significant problem for many areas. As over 45% of the world’s population live in coastal environments, I aspire to involve myself in the recent movements to help protect against dangerous flooding and erosion.

I completed my undergraduate degree a year ago, achieving an upper 2.1 in geography. During my degree, I was also able to take modules from other subjects and chose to take a couple of courses in ecology. Advancing my knowledge and skills in ecology has been extremely beneficial as coastal geography and management is as much about protecting the human population as it is about protecting the range of animal species that use beaches as their habitat. My undergraduate degree also allowed me to take part in a few different fieldwork activities, my favourite being the creation of beach profiles to investigate seasonal change over the course of a year.

The summer before the start of my third year I undertook work experience with a national company as an analyst. This allowed me to strengthen my strategizing skills and to continue advancing my analytical skills in a different setting. I also had the opportunity to shadow a financial team for a week, which exposed me to the important inner workings of business. I now have a better understanding of common financial issues and constraints which will benefit me when I finish my education and start my career.

In the year between finishing my undergraduate degree and applying for this Masters, I completed a few different volunteer roles. Throughout the year I was a group leader for the RSPB. Their leadership training helped me develop important skills in leading people and creating events. I believe these will be useful transferable skills to aid me in management roles and education events running in the future. Working for the RSPB also taught me about many different conservation efforts that are currently taking place on our coasts.

In addition to my work experience, I was crowned a chess champion in 2018. While chess does not appear to be relevant to coastal studies and management, the game has allowed me to build up excellent strategy skills as players have to take into account potential moves of the opposition. Additionally, I have learned how to respond efficiently to the unexpected, which is a key skill in coastal management and flood control.

I have applied to your university because its location means that your Masters course offers some of the best possible teaching for coastal geography. The proximity to coastal environments not only means that the university has attracted top specialists in the field, but it also means you are able to offer students extensive practical experience, which I am most excited about.

Main takeaways

• Show your passion: Clearly express your enthusiasm for geography and the specific area you want to study. Share personal experiences or moments that sparked your interest in the field.
• Highlight any relevant experience: Include academic achievements, fieldwork, internships, or volunteer roles that relate to geography. Emphasize how these experiences have prepared you for advanced study.
• Connect your skills to geography: Discuss transferable skills gained from various experiences, such as analytical thinking, research abilities, and teamwork, and explain how they apply to your future studies and career in geography.
• Be specific about your goals: Outline your academic and career aspirations within the field of geography. Mention any particular issues or topics you want to address, showing your commitment to making a difference.
• Tailor it to the programme: Research the specific Masters course and university you’re applying to. Highlight how their unique offerings, faculty expertise, or location all align with your interests and goals, making a strong case for why you belong there.