Program Overview

Geography with Foundation Year BSc

Course Description

Our integrated Science, Technology and Engineering (STEM) Foundation Year degrees are aimed at students who wish to study a STEM subject, such as physics, but don't have the traditional entry requirements.

The course is run on the University of Leicester campus like any other, and you will be studying alongside other students who applied for, and slightly missed out on, a place on a course similar to yours. In the first year of this course you will all be working towards passing a foundation year (year 0), which will enable automatic progression onto year 1 of any of our BSc Geography courses.

Entry Requirements

• A-levels: BCC or points equivalent from your best three A-levels. One science subject preferred from: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Statistics. You may be required to take an additional maths assessment test dependant on A-level subjects taken.
• GCSE: Grades C/4 in Maths (if no A-level Maths) and English Language.
• BTEC Diploma: DDM in a science related subject, which must include appropriate maths and science content. You may be required to take an additional maths assessment test.
• International Baccalaureate: Pass diploma with 26 points minimum, one HL science subject preferred. Must have maths and English if not held at GCSE grade C/4.
• Access to HE: Pass diploma with 24 Distinctions in a science related subject, which must include appropriate maths and science content. You may be required to take an additional maths assessment test.
• T-Levels: Merit overall in Science (Laboratory Technician). Maths test required.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• Starting in 2025: The tuition fees that will be payable by you to the University for the 2025/26 academic year will be £9,535.
• Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,430 for that year.
• Year in Industry: your fee will be £1,905 for that year.

International Students

• Starting in 2025: £20,250 per year.
• Year Abroad: £5,062.50, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee.
• Year in Industry: £3,037.50, which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee.

Careers and Employability

Geography and Environmental Scientists are highly competitive in the job market as their degrees furnish them with a range of highly sought-after skills. As well as studying topics that consider all of the major global challenges of the 21st century, our graduates are equipped with a range of subject specific and transferable skills (e.g. teamwork, communication, resilience, planning, problem solving).

Course Structure

Foundation Year

• Fundamental Mathematics
• Scientific Computing
• Principles of Earth Science and Earth Systems
• Introductory Chemistry Practical
• Introductory Data Analysis
• Academic Support
• Introductory Earth and Environmental Science (double module)

Year 1

• Human Geography for a Globalised World
• Environment/Nature/Society
• Evolution of the Earth System
• The Digital World
• Field and Laboratory Techniques
• The Contemporary Earth System
• Skills for Professional Geographers
• Working with Geographical Information

Year 2

• Data Analysis
• Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation
• Research Design (Overseas Field Course) (double module)
• Geographical Information Science
• Option modules:
  • Catchment Systems
  • The Dynamic Biosphere
  • Critical Geographies of Environment and Development

Year Abroad or in Industry (optional)

• A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester.
• You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
• Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.

Final Year

• Dissertation
• Option modules:
  • Contemporary Environmental Challenges
  • Critical Digital Geographies
  • Californian Drylands (field trip)
  • Neotropical Rainforests (field trip)
  • Understanding Ecosystems and Environments of the Distant Past
  • Water Quality Processes and Management
  • Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is integral to any Geography degree. In the field you'll develop new skills and apply learning from the classroom to real-world problems. At Leicester, we go into the field a lot - your field trips will be some of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of your time here.

Teaching and Learning

• Teaching: You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals and fieldwork.
• Assessment: Your work will be assessed through a mixture of methods including, essays, scientific reports, learning diaries, oral and poster presentations, mock journal articles, popular science articles and a final year individual (supervised) dissertation project.
• Independent learning: When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.