Program Overview

Geography BA Honours

Overview

The Geography BA Honours degree at Newcastle University is a flexible program that explores key societal, economic, and environmental challenges. It encourages students to engage with, explore, and understand the world. The teaching is informed by the research of world-leading academics and spans the breadth of the discipline.

Quality and Ranking

• Global Top 140 University - QS World University Rankings 2026
• Top 40 for Geography - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Professional Accreditation and Recognition

This degree has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degree programs contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education.

Modules and Learning

The program is divided into stages, with each stage lasting one academic year. Students complete modules totaling 120 credits by the end of each stage.

Stage 1

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Becoming a Geographer
  • Interconnected World
  • Introduction to Physical Geography
  • Mapping a changing world: GIS for Geographers
• Optional Modules:
  • Physical Geography Field course: Landforms, processes and field techniques
  • Environment and Society
  • Coasts and Communities: Human Geography Fieldwork

Stage 2

• Compulsory modules depend on the pathway chosen (Human Geography or Physical Geography)
• Optional Modules:
  • Ireland Field Course
  • Key Methods for Human Geographers
  • Political Geography
  • Economic Geography
  • The creative and knowledge-based economy: Berlin field course
  • UK field course research project
  • Research Design and Planning for Physical Geographers
  • Global Environmental Change
  • Key Methods for Physical Geographers
  • Exploring Everyday Political Geographies in a Divided City: Nicosia Field Course
  • Research Design and Planning for Human Geographers
  • Geohazards and Risk
  • Social and Cultural Geography
  • Urban Geography
  • Urban Sustainability: Barcelona Field Course
  • Glacial Environments
  • River Catchment Dynamics
  • City of Crisis, City of Hope: Amsterdam field course
  • Humans vs Nature in the Netherlands (Netherlands Field course)
  • War and Memory: Bosnia and Herzegovina Field Course
  • Between Two Unions: Ireland Human Geography Field Course
  • Career Development for second year students

Stage 3

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Dissertation
• Optional Modules:
  • Geopolitics
  • Local and Regional Development
  • Student Exchange Semester 1
  • Polar Environments
  • Mountain Environments
  • Past and Present Climates
  • Geographies of Race and Nation
  • Migration, Bordering and Solidarities
  • Humanitarianism and Health Inequalities
  • The Politics of Difference and Identity
  • Rivers and Deltas
  • Geographies of Global South Cities
  • Geographies of Housing
  • Career Development for final year students

Opportunities

• Work placement: Apply practical skills, increase confidence, and gain real-life work experience to accelerate your career. Take a 9-12 month industrial placement in the UK or abroad.
• Study abroad: Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You can spend a whole year between Stages 2 and 3 or semester 1 of Stage 3 on an international exchange at a partner institution.

Facilities and Environment

• Based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology
• Access to modern laboratories and workshops
• Field equipment for topographic survey, soil and sediment sampling, biological and chemical analysis, and hydrological analysis
• Biology laboratory, chemistry laboratory, geomorphology and sediment laboratories

Your Future

• Join a network of successful graduates
• Graduates in demand: Excellent employment record, with graduates recruited by various organizations
• Make a difference: Apply your skills and knowledge to make a positive impact

Entry Requirements

• A-Level: ABB excluding General Studies. GCSE Mathematics grade C or 4 is required if not offered at a higher level.
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points. Standard Level Mathematics or Mathematical Studies required at grade 4 if not offered at Higher Level.
• Alternative offers at Newcastle: Contextual or alternative offer routes, which could result in an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

• Home students: Tuition fees for the academic year 2026 have not yet been confirmed.
• International students: £25,800 for the first year.
• Scholarships: Available for EU and international students, including Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.