Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Geography

The BSc (Hons) Geography degree at Manchester Metropolitan University brings together the study of human and physical geography, exploring how the planet works – from the forces shaping the earth’s surface to the complex connections between people, cultures, and places.

Course Overview

Our BSc (Hons) Geography degree starts by exploring key topics like climate change, sustainable development, considering forces that have shaped our natural world and issues affecting society. You'll develop essential skills in mapping, data interpretation, geographical research methods, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), providing a strong foundation for understanding both global and local geographical challenges.

Features and Benefits

• 100% of our research impact in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences is world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework – REF – 2021).
• We are ranked 5th for Research Impact, with this research informing our teaching in sustainability and climate change (REF 2021).
• We are proud to be a top five university for sustainability since 2013 (People and Planet League 2025).
• We’ve invested over £115 million to transform the way we teach and the way our students learn.
• We offer free Carbon Literacy training in person and online to our students, to build understanding of sustainability and enhance employability.
• Fieldwork opportunities in the UK or overseas are available during each year of the degree.
• Our laboratories and facilities will give you first-hand experience of a wide range of manual and instrumental lab skills and techniques.
• You can transfer to our four-year study abroad route which gives you the opportunity to study overseas during your third year in North America, Australia or in Europe, subject to availability.
• You also have the opportunity to transfer to our four-year placement route, which offers the chance to spend your third year working on a placement with a relevant employer – gaining the skills and experience that can boost your career prospects.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• This course is fully accredited by the Royal Geographical Society.
• We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

Year 1

The first year of your geography degree involves set units to get everyone up to speed. We’ll introduce you to key geographical concepts and you’ll also develop core academic and research skills.

• Core modules:
  • Geographical Thinking And Approaches
  • Introducing Human Geographies
  • Techniques in Geography
  • Dynamic Planet

Year 2

Your second year will build on the skills you’ve already learned and grow your knowledge in specialised areas.

• Core modules:
  • Place, Space and the City
  • Earth Surface Processes
  • Fieldwork and Research Design
• Option modules:
  • Climate Change: Past, Present and Future
  • Digital Geographies, GIS and Professional Practice

Year 3

In the final year of your geography degree, you’ll complete a dissertation for geographers, focused on a topic of your choice as well as the opportunity to choose modules that match your interests.

• Core modules:
  • Applied GIS, Earth Observation and Climate Change
  • Natural Hazards: From Risk To Response
  • Project Dissertation
• Option modules:
  • People, Economy And Planning
  • Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Environments

Study and Assessment

• Study:
  • Year 1: 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
  • Year 2: 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
  • Year 3: 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 80% independent study
• Assessment:
  • Year 1: 100% coursework
  • Year 2: 100% coursework
  • Year 3: 100% coursework

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 104-112 UCAS tariff points
• IELTS score: 6.0 with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of course start date
• UK students:
  • Level 3 qualifications: 104-112 UCAS tariff points. A levels – grades BCC or equivalent, to include grade C or above in Geography.
  • Level 2 qualifications: GCSE grade C/4 or above in English Language or Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English and GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics or Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills Mathematics.
• International students:
  • IB Diploma: Pass the IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects, including HL5 in Geography.
  • IELTS: 6.0 with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of course start date

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Our geography graduates have found careers in a range of sectors, including transport planning, the civil service, environment quality monitoring, environmental sustainability, urban planning, the recycling industry, the international environmental charity sector and the energy efficiency industry. Major employers include private sector environmental consultancies, local and regional authorities, environmental charities and trusts, and energy and communications companies.