Program Overview

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Geography, BSc

Introduction

Geography is key to understanding and resolving many of the most pressing problems faced by society, including climate change, poverty, energy transitions, sustainable development and environmental conservation. Our degree programmes reflect these modern-day challenges, with core and optional courses aimed at producing highly skilled graduates who can think critically and develop solutions to tackle these problems.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: BSc
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: F800
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Year 1

Compulsory Courses

• Creating the Anthropocene (GG1010): This course reflects upon the role humans have played in creating the Anthropocene (the epoch we are now living in), a time period during which human actions have become more significant than natural processes in shaping our world.
• The UN Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming Our World (GG1512): This course interrogates the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. These encompass contemporary global challenges such as responsible consumption and production, no poverty, clean water and climate action.
• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002): This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online.

Optional Courses

• Plus 90 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 2

Compulsory Courses

• Skills and Techniques in Geosciences (GG2508): This course introduces students to a range of scientific and social scientific skills and techniques used in Geography.

Optional Courses

• Plus further credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits
• Physical Environments (GG2013): This course provides an understanding of environmental processes and landscape change through time and space.
• Space, Economy and Society (GG2014): This course examines political, economic, social and cultural change from a geographical perspective.
• Environment and Society (GG2509): This course explores the complex and dynamic relationship between the environment and human societies.
• Mapping and Monitoring the Environment (GG2510): This course covers the practical aspects of remote sensing and GIS.

Year 3

Optional Courses

• Approaches to Geography (GG3031): This core course is designed to introduce Honours students to key debates on the nature and scope of academic geography.
• Approaches to Geography (GG3071): This core course is designed to introduce Honours students to key debates on the nature and scope of academic geography.
• Data Analysis (GG3068): This course is a mix of 1 hour lectures and 1 hour practical sessions using statistical analysis software (SPSS).
• Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GG3069): This course covers the practical aspects of remote sensing and GIS.
• Research Design (GG3573): This core course builds on GG2508 to provide an introduction to the conduct of research in the Geosciences at an advanced level.
• Research Design (GG3574): This core course builds on GG2508 to provide an introduction to the conduct of research in the Geosciences at an advanced level.
• Montane Environments (GG3577): The fieldtrip explores the physical geography of a montane area, at present the Italian Alps.
• Human Geography: Honours Field Course (GG3578): The course is based around a one week residential field-course supported by taught and student-led sessions on campus.

Year 4

Compulsory Courses

• Geography Dissertation (GG4023): The Honours dissertation provides students with the opportunity to produce a piece of independent and original research on an approved topic.
• Geographical Issues (GG4537): This core, 'capstone' course is designed to develop further students' critical understanding of the contemporary intellectual and real-world contexts in which the academic discipline of geography - and its graduates! - operates.

Optional Courses

• Plus 60 credit points from courses of choice, of which at least 30 credits must be from level 4 courses.

Learning Methods

• Field Trips
• Field Work
• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Lab Work
• Lectures
• Research
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops

Assessment Methods

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course
• Written examinations at the end of each course

Why Study Geography?

• Human Geography at Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction by the 2024 National Student Survey, with an overall satisfaction score of 100%
• Our degree programmes focus upon the key environmental, economic, societal and technological challenges we currently face in the world
• Suited to those looking to study Geography, who have a personal interest in the physical sciences
• Many courses in human and physical geography, including specialist Honours options, draw directly on the staff’s own research into sustainability transitions, the use of digital technologies, environmental conservation, land management urban development, rural change, water management, climate change, glaciology, remote sensing and past environmental change

Careers

• Studying Geography develops a range of transferable skills such as: critical thinking, research design, data analysis skills, proficiency in IT (GIS and remote sensing in particular) and the ability to communicate effectively in various formats
• Geographers also acquire specialist knowledge of economic and environmental issues and the ability to evaluate these from different perspectives – local, national and international
• Employers value these attributes and with our Royal Geographical Society accredited degrees, Aberdeen Geography graduates enter a wide range of careers including: environmental management, conservation and planning, government agencies, business and commerce, and work involving technical skills such as surveying, GIS and remote sensing

Accreditation

• This degree holds accreditation from the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Entry Requirements

• SQA Highers: AABB (or better)
• A LEVELS: BBB
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL, with two Mathematics/ Science subjects at HL
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 including a minimum of H3 from two Science or Mathematics subjects

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £24,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
• Home Students: £1,820

Scholarships and Funding

• UK Scholarship
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship
• Funding Database

Our Experts

• Prof Matteo Spagnolo
• Dr Josie Geris
• Dr Anshuman Bhardwaj
• Dr Jean-Christophe Comte
• Dr David Green
• Dr David Haro
• Dr Dimitri Mauquoy
• Dr Tim Mighall
• Prof Brice Rea
• Dr Lydia Sam
• Dr Ed Schofield
• Dr Shaktiman Singh