Program Overview

Physical Geography (with integrated year studying abroad)

Key Facts

• UCAS Tariff: 120 - 96
• Course duration: 4 years
• Available for September start 2025

Course Overview

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

As a large dynamic Geography community we are able to offer you an extremely broad range of geographical specialism, opportunities and facilities;

• river catchment processes
• glaciology
• biogeography
• quaternary environmental change
• current trends in Geohazards
• GIS and Remote Sensing
• fieldwork opportunities in New Zealand, Crete New York, and Ireland
• travel awards to fund your own adventures (up to £400) that are available each year
• state of the art teaching facilities with the latest technology to enhance learning
• fully stocked laboratories with an array of analytical instruments e.g. mass spectrometers and core scanners of which can be used for fieldwork and independent study

Our Staff

Department of Geography and Earth Science: lecturers are all qualified to PhD level or working towards a PhD.

Modules September start - 2025

Year 1

• An introduction to Earth Materials (GS12520, 20 credits)
• Earth Surface Environments (GS10520, 20 credits)
• How to Build a Planet (GS11520, 20 credits)
• Life on Earth (GS10720, 20 credits)
• Living in a Dangerous World (GS10020, 20 credits)
• Researching the World: data collection and analysis (GS13020, 20 credits)

Year 2

• Geography Research Design and Fieldwork Skills (GS20020, 20 credits)
• Geoscience Laboratory Techniques (GS20120, 20 credits)
• Glacial and Fluvial Processes (GS25520, 20 credits)
• Quaternary Environmental Change (GS23920, 20 credits)
• Visualisation and Analysis of Geographical Data (GS23620, 20 credits)
• Chemical Analysis of Natural Materials (GS21010, 10 credits)
• Geographical Information Systems (GS23710, 10 credits)
• Physical Analysis of Natural Materials (GS22010, 10 credits)
• Quantitative Data Analysis (GS23810, 10 credits)

Year 4

• Geography Dissertation (GS34040, 40 credits)

Careers

Our graduates have, for example, found employment as environmental consultants, planners, civil servants, surveyors, in education to name a few.

Employability is embedded within all courses provided by us. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a vast array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in demand.

The skill sets include:

• enhanced mathematical and computational skills
• effective problem solving and creative thinking skills
• information technology skills
• ability to work independently and as part of a team
• time-management, organisational skills
• communication skills both written and oral
• self-motivation and self-reliance

Teaching & Learning

Our courses are taught through lectures, seminars, laboratory and computer practical classes, small group tutorials, field courses and individual supervision of project work.

We assess our students through a different range of methods. Some modules are assessed in part through traditional exams, but some have elements of coursework. We also have some modules that may require the student to produce practical reports, oral presentations, the design of web pages, production of short films, or contribution to online discussion forums. Some modules, notably the tutorials and field courses are assessed entirely through coursework.

Typical Entry Requirements

• UCAS Tariff: 120 - 96
• A Levels: BBB-CCC
• GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4): English or Welsh and Mathematics
• BTEC National Diploma: DDM-MMM
• International Baccalaureate: 30-26
• European Baccalaureate: 75%-65% overall
• English Language Requirements: See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Study Abroad

The department has also established partnerships with European Universities including the University of Bergen, the University of Oulu, Finland, and the University Centre in Svalbard, giving students the unique experience of studying in one of the world’s most extreme environments. We also have strong links with a number of universities in North America, where students can complete their second year of study. In recent years, our Exchange Co-ordinator has overseen placements at Purdue University (Indiana), the University of Alabama, the University of Georgia, the University of Montana and the University of Ottawa in Canada.