Program Overview

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Geography

BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)

Overview

Will you focus on environmental issues? Geopolitics? Do you dream of making a difference in the charity sector, or using your analytical skills to help businesses thrive sustainably? As one of the most versatile degrees you can study, geography opens many doors. Studying Geography at Oxford Brookes turns you into a problem solver; an independent thinker; a specialist in your field – with a wide range of knowledge in everything from climate change to urban planning. With our field trips, specialist labs, and strong alumni network, we’ll help you build the skills and network you’ll need to succeed in your dream career. In physical geography, topics include desertification, marine pollution, climate policy and biodiversity loss. In human geography, you could look at international governance, the political geography of borders, the future of cities, disaster management, or environmental hazards. These topics are all deeply interlinked. You'll explore the connections between people and the planet, learn to understand complex global problems and make a difference in the world.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• A broad range of topics
• Practical, career-focused course
• Small, friendly classes
• Widely applicable skills
• Get hands-on experience
• Learn a language
• Study abroad
• Accreditation(s)

Course details

Course structure

In Year 1 , you’ll develop a wide range of skills like river surveying, geomorphological mapping, and social research skills like interview and survey design. You’ll explore both human and physical geography, covering many environmental and sustainability topics. Your first year includes a UK-based, multi-day field trip, with costs included in your fees. In Year 2, you can narrow your focus and choose areas that interest you via optional modules. Topics vary across human and physical geography. Example areas of study include geopolitics, environmental change, the carbon cycle, and heritage management. Year 2 includes an international field trip, with costs included in your fees. After your second year, you have the opportunity to get international experience in your degree via a year abroad, or you can progress to the final year of the course. In your final year , you can specialise further in human or physical geography. Or keep studying a range of topics such as desertification and atmospheric science, or how human culture relates to nature.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn in many different ways as you study. This will make the most of your skills - wherever your strengths lie and whatever your learning style. You’ll experience teaching methods like:

• seminars and lectures
• field investigations
• lab experiments and analysis
• simulations
• research conferences
• debates
• interactive field trails
• group work
• visiting speakers.

Assessment

Your learning will be assessed by coursework. And you’ll carry out your coursework both individually, and in small groups. You’ll run project investigations, write reports and essays, create digital stories, compile portfolios and compose learning journals. You’ll also have the chance to use dedicated data analysis software, like Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Your coursework will be directly relevant to the changing world around you. You might write a report assessing carbon concentrations in our atmosphere. Or you might make a short film on sustainable development and climate action.

Field Trips

On this course, you’ll carry out field work both in the UK and overseas. In your first year, if you’re a single honours student, you’ll go on a three- day field trip in the UK, where you’ll examine key geographic issues, on-site. You might analyse river quality or river flow. You might explore changing mountain environments - like areas once covered by glaciers. You might examine national identities and sense of place. Or you might learn about urban regeneration and the politics of changing landscapes. In your second year, you’ll carry out field work overseas. You’ll work with a small project team to research a specific issue. You might examine issues like:

• coastal erosion
• water management
• management of UNESCO World Heritage sites
• cultural tourism.

You’ll be guided all the way through by one of your tutors - and you’ll emerge with confident research, project-management and team working skills.

Study modules

Teaching for this course takes place face to face and you can expect around 10 hours of contact time per week. In addition to this, you should also anticipate a workload of 1,200 hours per year. Teaching usually takes place Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm. Contact hours involve activities such as lectures, seminars, practicals, assessments, and academic advising sessions. These hours differ by year of study and typically increase significantly during placements or other types of work-based learning.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Human Geography
• Introduction to Geographical Skills and Techniques
• Investigating Geography
• Introduction to Physical Geography
• Geographical Perspectives
• Sustainability and Development

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Advanced Research skills for Geographers
• Global Change
• Environmental Hazard Management

Optional modules

• Biogeography
• Cities: Geographies of the Urban Experience
• Conservation and Heritage Management
• Geographies of Migration
• Earth Systems
• Geographical Information Systems
• Independent Study: Work and Community Related Learning
• Political Geography: Place and Power
• Quaternary Environmental Change

Optional Year Abroad

Optional modules

• Year Abroad

Final Year

Compulsory modules

• Geography Dissertation

Optional modules

• Development & Humanitarianism
• Sustainable Futures
• Arid Zone Environments
• Climate Change: The Physical Basis
• Cultural Geographies of Nature
• Dawn of Civilization
• Future Cities
• Independent Study in Geography
• Oceans and the Marine Environment
• Political geographies of borders: past, present and future

Careers

As a geography graduate you will have a world of opportunities open to you, with a diverse skill set that can be applied to almost any sector. From problem solving to presentation, this course helps you develop an array of transferable skills that many employers value highly. Our graduates are working in a range of roles such as:

• senior environment and sustainability consultant
• senior GIS Officer for a local council
• content operations assistant at a TV streaming company
• secondary school head of geography
• planning director at a housing partnership
• freelance public relations consultant
• programme director for a human trafficking and antislavery Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
• senior research manager at a university
• AI automation logistics specialist
• founder of a social media brand management company.

Whatever your career goals, a geography degree will develop you into an insightful, multi-skilled, capable professional. We look forward to being part of your journey.

Entry requirements

• UCAS Tariff Points: 104 - 120
• A Level: BCC - BBB
• IB Points: 29
• BTEC: DMM - DDM

Tuition fees

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,190 per single module
• International full time: £16,750

Funding your studies

• Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students
• Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
• Oxford Brookes Bursary for New Students

Additional costs

• You'll participate in compulsory field trips in your first and second years. All travel and accommodation costs for these trips are covered by the university. You are responsible for your living costs while on field trips.
• You will need to have sensible footwear and a weatherproof jacket for field trips.
• Travel and associated costs if relevant when undertaking work placements.
• If you choose to participate in any additional, optional trips, you are responsible for any associated costs.
• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required.
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies.
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills)
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs)
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41.
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes.