Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Geography BSc (Hons)
Key Facts
- UCAS Code: F800 (BSc), F801 (BSc with Foundation)
- Level: Undergraduate (UG BSc (Hons))
- Duration: Full Time (3 years), Full Time Foundation (4 years), Part Time (4 years)
- Starting: September
- Entry Requirements: BCC at A-Level or DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical
- UK Fees 25/26: Full Time (£9,535), Part Time (£1,585 per 20 credits), Integrated Foundation Year (£9,535)
- International Fees 25/26: Full Time (£15,700), Integrated Foundation Year (£15,700)
- Location: Waterside
Overview
Our BSc Geography degree explores a range of topics within human geography and physical geography. The program is designed to contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG13: Climate Action, SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG15: Life on Land.
Highlights
- Small group teaching with high levels of individual support
- Assessed through coursework
- Work placement in the final year with employability and career planning support incorporated throughout the degree
- Choice of modules at Stages 2 and 3, enabling specialization in human geography or physical geography
- Opportunities to network with employers and graduates through events on campus, online, and through our dedicated social networking site
- Fieldwork and visits, including a UK residential and an optional international fieldtrip
- Access to industry-standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
- HP laptop and software included with this geography degree for eligible students (see Eligibility criteria and Terms and Conditions)
- Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise
Entry Requirements
- A typical offer to study BSc Geography at the University of Northampton would be:
- BCC at A-Level or
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
- Pass (C and above) at T Level
- We welcome international applicants and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
- For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
Fieldwork
- Fieldwork is key to understanding geographical issues and developing transferable skills.
- Many of our modules include part- or full-day field trips.
- Typical locations include London and the Midlands.
- There is a UK residential trip at Stage 2, the cost of which is included in your fees.
- Previous destinations have included London and the south-east, the Jurassic coast, and Devon.
- An optional international study trip may be available, for which there would be an additional cost.
Course Content
- Stage 1:
- Introducing Human Geographies (20 Credits)
- Geographical Techniques (20 Credits)
- Geographical Issues in the Majority Global South (20 Credits)
- The Physical Environment (20 Credits)
- Geohazards (20 Credits)
- A Sustainable Community (20 Credits)
- Stage 2:
- Biogeography (20 Credits)
- Issues in Human Geography (20 Credits)
- Transport and Mobility (20 Credits)
- Populations and Migrations (20 Credits)
- Landscape Processes (20 Credits)
- Geography Field Module (20 Credits)
- Weather and Climate (20 Credits)
- Geographic Information Systems (20 Credits)
- Stage 3:
- Children's Geographies (20 Credits)
- Geographies of Sport (20 Credits)
- Communicating Climate Change (20 Credits)
- Water Resource Management (20 Credits)
- Career Planning and Employability (20 Credits)
- Monitoring the Earth's Surface (20 Credits)
- Geography Dissertation (40 Credits)
Student Perks
- At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
- If you join this full-time BSc Geography degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins.
- The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
- Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them.
- We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your geography degree, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
- We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate.
Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)
- The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
- If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for BSc Geography we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four-year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year.
- The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.
FAQs
- How will I be taught on the BSc Geography degree?
- Face-to-face sessions are organised as interactive classes with discussion and activities.
- For some modules on BSc Geography, there are workshops in the laboratory or computer room.
- Classes are supported by online and technology-enhanced learning to ensure you have the best possible study experience to achieve your potential.
- How many hours per week of teaching/personal tutoring?
- You will typically have 12 hours contact time per week, in addition to 20-25 hours per week of independent study.
- You are encouraged to meet with staff on a one-to-one basis to get additional study support, and also receive timetabled personal tutor meetings each term.
- How will I be assessed on the Geography degree?
- Each module generally has two items of assessment.
- Assignments are designed to develop your skills, as well as test your knowledge and understanding.
- There is a range of written assignments, including reports and essays.
- You may also be asked to analyse data or reflect on your learning.
Fees and Funding
- 2025/26 Tuition Fees:
- UK – Full Time: £9,535
- UK – Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
- International – Full Time: £15,700
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700
- Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
Scholarships and Bursaries
- For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
- For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Staff
- Our team of enthusiastic, experienced, and research-active academic staff will support you throughout your studies.
Careers and Employability
- Career planning workshops take place in all years of study.
- In addition, there is a career planning module, which focuses on developing your awareness of jobs you can do with a Geography degree, recruitment processes, and your own subject-specific and transferable skills.
- The module also includes a short work placement.
- We work closely with careers advisers to ensure students get one-to-one career guidance and support.
- You will have opportunities to network with employers and our own graduates through events on campus, online, and through our dedicated social networking site.
- This provides you with insights into the wide range of careers university Geography graduates enter.
Facilities
- Specialist IT provision and software:
- You will have access to a range of modern and well-equipped IT laboratories across the Waterside campus.
- As part of your studies, you will also get an ESRI ArcGIS software license to use at home.
- This will help you develop highly desirable digital skills using an industry-standard Geographic Information System (GIS) for mapping and spatial analysis.
- As part of your studies, we will also provide you with access to historical and contemporary Ordnance Survey mapping data via the Edina Digimap service.
- Field survey equipment:
- You will learn to use a wide range of field survey equipment throughout your geography degree, mapping changes to our dynamic environment.
- We will provide you opportunities to use specialist equipment that you may use in your future career.
- This includes survey-grade Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for precision topographic surveying and a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) for 3D imaging.
- Specialist laboratories:
- You will have access to our Geographical and Environmental Sciences laboratory, allowing you to work on projects alongside our team of active internationally-recognised researchers.
- Our laboratories are well equipped and include a laser granulometer and gamma-ray spectrometer that you can use for environmental surveys and assessments.
Program Outline
The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to influence positive change. The program emphasizes small group teaching and one-to-one tutorials, providing individual support from experienced and research-active academic staff. It offers flexibility for students to specialize in areas of geography that interest them, including opportunities for fieldwork throughout the degree. The program is assessed through a variety of coursework tasks designed to develop employability skills. The program maintains strong links with employers, and a dedicated career planning module includes a short work placement in the final year to provide practical experience.
Outline:
The BSc Geography degree is structured across three stages:
Stage 1:
- Introducing Human Geographies (20 Credits): This module introduces key concepts in human geography, focusing on people, place, and movement. It explores the evolution of human geography and includes fieldwork.
- Geographical Techniques (20 Credits): This module provides an introduction to data collection and analysis methods used in geographical research. Students undertake two projects to learn, use, and evaluate key research techniques.
- Geographical Issues in the Majority Global South (20 Credits): This module examines global economic and social inequalities, focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students gain an understanding of economic development theories, identify key social inequalities, and explore case studies from the Majority Global South.
- The Physical Environment (20 Credits): This module introduces the physical environment of Earth, examining atmospheric processes like cloud formation and rainfall, surface processes like weathering and erosion, and the interaction of these processes with geology and tectonics to create environments and landscapes. It explains the nature of various geohazards using recent case studies.
- A Sustainable Community (20 Credits): This module explores the complex interaction between the economy, society, the environment, and politics in relation to sustainability. Framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it examines key issues at local, national, and international scales through research, debate, discussion, and project work.
Stage 2:
- Biogeography (20 Credits): This module combines ecology and geography to understand global patterns of biodiversity, studying the distribution of organisms, habitats, and biomes, both past and present.
- Issues in Human Geography (20 Credits): This module introduces research on contemporary geographical issues in diverse contexts in the UK and Global North, exploring topics like deprivation, social exclusion, and changing urban spaces. It includes UK-based fieldwork.
- Transport and Mobility (20 Credits): This module examines the historical, geographical, economic, and political importance of transport at various scales. It explores the technologically driven mobility revolution and its challenges.
- Populations and Migrations (20 Credits): This module provides an introduction to population studies with a specific focus on migration, examining the movement of people at local, national, and international levels.
- Landscape Processes (20 Credits): This module equips students with the skills and knowledge for the scientific study of processes, landforms, and deposits, fostering an understanding of how geomorphological concepts can be applied to solve environmental problems.
- Geography Field Module (20 Credits): This module develops the skills needed to conduct fieldwork in physical and human geography. Students plan, collect, analyze, and present findings from research projects in the field.
- Weather and Climate (20 Credits): This module explores fundamental atmospheric processes, examining energy flow, cloud formation, rainfall, air movement, and the development of weather systems. It explains variations in weather and climate across time and space. Students gain experience using GIS for real-world problem-solving, applying GIS processes, and communicating geographic information.
Stage 3:
- Children's Geographies (20 Credits): This module critically investigates differences and diversity in the geographical worlds of children and young people, exploring case studies from the Global North and Global South, reviewing key concepts, and conducting a mini research project.
- Geographies of Sport (20 Credits): This module explores geographical approaches to studying recreational and professional sport at various spatial scales, examining issues like globalization, migration, the body, and global mega-events.
- Communicating Climate Change (20 Credits): This module explores all aspects of the climate change issue, emphasizing the importance of informed specialists in driving debate and policy.
- Water Resource Management (20 Credits): This module enhances employability by developing key skills. Students participate in career planning activities and reflect on their experiences.
- Career Planning and Employability (20 Credits): This module enhances employability by introducing career opportunities for Geography graduates, providing application and interview role-play activities, facilitating a short placement, and encouraging reflection on experiences. It also offers networking opportunities with alumni and employers. Students learn to use industry-standard survey instruments and software to generate and analyze geographical data.
- Geography Dissertation (40 Credits): This module allows students to plan, undertake, report, and evaluate an original piece of geographical research. Students choose a geographical topic of personal interest to investigate in depth, developing subject-specific, analytical, project management, and communication skills.
Assessment:
The program is assessed through a variety of coursework tasks, including:
- Written assessments (reports, essays)
- Research-based and data-analysis tasks
- Verbal assignments (group presentations, debates)
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods: Classes are interactive and include activities and discussions. They are supported by online resources.
- Faculty: The program is taught by a team of enthusiastic, experienced, and research-active academic staff.
Careers:
The program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in sectors such as:
- Planning
- Environment
- Transport
- Education
- Energy
- Insurance
- Local government Examples of roles secured by recent graduates include:
- Flood and Coastal Risk Management Officer
- Sustainability Projects Officer
- Graduate Transport Planner
- Net-Zero Data Analyst
- Geography Teacher
- Graduate Planning Officer
- Trainee Land Surveyor
- Graduate Geo-Environmental Engineer
- Graduate Project Officer
- GIS Technician
- Researcher
Other:
- The program includes a UK residential fieldcourse at Stage 2, the cost of which is covered in the course fees.
- The program is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).
- The program is designed to contribute to achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG13: Climate Action, SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG15: Life on Land.
Fees and Funding
2024/25 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UK Full Time: £9,250 UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 International Full Time: £15,200 International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200 Additional Costs As well as local area visits, there may be opportunities for overseas fieldwork. 2023/24 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UK Full Time: £9,250 UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 International Full Time: £14,750 International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750 Additional Costs As well as local area visits, there may be opportunities for overseas fieldwork.
University of Northampton
Overview:
University of Northampton is a public university located in Northampton, England. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as continuing professional development courses. The university is known for its focus on social impact and its commitment to creating a better society through its students, research, and engagement with the wider world.
Services Offered:
The university provides a variety of services to its students, including:
Accommodation:
On-campus halls of residence are available for students.Employment Promise:
The university offers an employment promise to help students find work after graduation.Student Perks:
Students receive various perks, including laptops, trips, and internships.Support:
The university provides comprehensive support services to students, including academic, wellbeing, and accessibility support.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Students at University of Northampton can expect a vibrant and engaging campus experience. The university has a modern campus with a full range of integrated learning environments, including a 24/7 library and learning zone. Students can participate in a variety of clubs and societies, and there are numerous events and activities throughout the year.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Social Impact Focus:
The university is committed to making a positive impact on society through its research and engagement.Modern Campus:
The university has a new, modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities.Employment Promise:
The university's employment promise helps students find work after graduation.Student Support:
The university provides comprehensive support services to students.Academic Programs:
The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Undergraduate:
Programs in various fields, including business, sport, nursing, law, psychology, computing, and design.Master's:
Programs in various fields, including business, education, health, and social work.Continuing Professional Development (CPD):
Courses designed to enhance professional skills and knowledge.Other:
The university has a strong focus on research and has several research institutes and centers. It also has a strong commitment to equality and inclusion and provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.
Entry Requirements:
- UK/EU Home Students:
- BCC at A-Level
- DMM at BTEC
- Pass (C and above) at T Level
- We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
- International Students:
- We welcome international applicants and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
- Integrated Foundation Year (IFY):
- DEE at A Level
- MPP at BTEC
- Pass (D or E) at T Level
- We would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- International and EU Students:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.