Geography - Master Studies

The objectives of the study program include:

• preparing students for jobs that require knowledge in the field of geographical sciences;
• students gaining knowledge in the field of geographical sciences, and learning to apply it;
• students learning about and understanding contemporary trends in the field of geography; enabling students to use professional literature and modern information and communication technologies for acquiring knowledge in the field of geographical sciences and related fields, i.e. for self-improvement;
• preparation for doctoral studies;
• raising students' awareness of the necessity of life-long education and the growth of the society as a whole;
• providing academic education that surpasses a narrow professional framework and developing professional and scientific awareness of modern society values.

The objectives above are obtained through:

• introduction to geographical thematic features;
• developing the ability to understand and formulate problems, modelling systems to solve practical problems in geographical space;
• developing learning abilities using modern geographical methods;
• mastering the content offered within the academic-general education subjects; encouraging communication and teamwork.

The Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Priština, temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica, has defined the basic tasks and goals within the Quality Assurance Strategy. The purposes of the study program are fully harmonized. The goals of the Master’s Studies in Geography are oriented towards acquiring academic, professional and scientific skills, developing creative abilities and achieving expertise in the field of geography. They are in line with the demands of the labour market (knowledge), and with the main tasks and goals of education at the University of Priština - Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics.

Greater efficiency of the study process is achieved through a dynamic student progress system, and by the duration of courses, all of which last one semester, so that, depending on the course, up to 30-70% of results can be obtained by completing pre-exam course assignments (exercises, term papers, term tests, fieldwork, etc.).

Students have various roles in achieving the goals of the study program. The structure and organisation of the curriculum allows the students to independently create their educational profiles not only through the choice of elective courses but also through evaluation of the program, the teachers and the teaching process. This way, the students can initiate change in the teaching methods and the study program itself.

By mastering the Master of Academic Studies in Geography, the student acquires the following general abilities:

• ability to think logically, formulate assumptions, draw conclusions in a formal and formalized way;
• ability to communicate at a professional level and as part of a team;
• the ability for professional growth;
• ability to follow and understand contemporary trends, both within the profession and the social environment;
• ability to apply knowledge;
• the ability to think critically and self-critically;
• ability to present results;
• ability to respect professional ethics.

By mastering the study program, the student acquires the following subject-specific abilities:

• knowing and understanding of basic areas of geographical sciences;
• knowing and understanding of geographical studies and ability to apply it;
• understanding the contemporary efforts within the field of geography;
• ability to connect sciences that are closely related to geography;
• ability to apply the acquired knowledge in solving practical problems;
• ability to follow and apply innovations in the profession;
• ability to use professional literature and modern information and communication technologies in acquiring knowledge in the field of physical and social geography, as well as tourism and spatial planning;
• further improvement and education during doctoral studies;

The competencies listed above outline the expected outcomes of the study program, which include the graduates acquiring a university education as well as a range of skills needed for employment, i.e. a set of skills that the average student should possess and demonstrate.

The study program of Geography, Master's Studies contains all the essential elements of a Geography curriculum, harmonized with similar curricula of study programs both in Europe and the world. The study program MAS Geography is in line with the study programs of master academic studies of geography at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, "St. Cyril and Methodius'', University in Skopje (Northern Macedonia), Department of Geography, University of Temišvar (Romania) and the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Nearly all segments of the study program, such as the academic title, duration of studies, ECTS, names and contents of offered courses, exams, learning outcomes and teacher competencies are regulated in part through comparison with the curricula of several domestic and international higher education institutions that have implemented the Bologna reform.

In this context, it should be emphasized that this study program is designed based on the positive experience of European institutions of higher education that have successfully implemented the Bologna reform.