Program Overview

Physical Geography BSc (Hons) Program Details

Overview

The Physical Geography BSc (Hons) program at Northumbria University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the physical environment and its processes. The program focuses on the physical sciences and their application to the surroundings, covering topics such as climate change, glaciation, and environmental systems.

Course Information

• UCAS Code: F845
• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Mode of Study: 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
• School: Geography and Natural Sciences
• Location: City Campus, Northumbria University
• City: Newcastle
• Start: September 2026
• Fees: Fee Information (UK Fee in Year 1: TBC, International Fee in Year 1: £19,850)

Entry Requirements

• Standard Entry: 96 to 112 Tariff Points from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications
• Subject Requirements: No specific subject requirements
• GCSE Requirements: Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent
• Additional Requirements: None
• International Qualifications: Considered on a case-by-case basis
• English Language Requirements: Minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent)

Fees and Funding

• UK Fee in Year 1: TBC
• International Fee in Year 1: £19,850
• Additional Costs: Students should be prepared to buy some of the course textbooks (average £150 per annum) and cover the cost of transport for field trips within the local Tyne and Wear public transport network (estimated up to £50 per year)

Modules Overview

The program consists of various modules across four years, including:

• Year one:
  • Geography Fieldwork
  • Academic Skills and Personal Development (BSc)
  • Introduction to Physical Environments
  • Environmental Challenges - Global to Local
  • Earth System Science
  • Measuring and mapping environmental systems
  • Academic Language Skills for Geography (for International and EU students only)
• Year two:
  • Fundamentals of Ecology
  • Earth Observation and GIS
  • Applied Geosciences
  • Academic Language Skills for Geography (for International and EU students only)
  • Field Applications
  • Future of Ice on Earth
  • Past Environments
  • Water Resources
  • Research in Physical Geography
• Year three:
  • Work Placement Year (optional)
  • Study Abroad Year (optional)
  • Work placement semester (optional)
  • Study Abroad Semester (optional)
• Year four:
  • Academic Language Skills for Geography (for International and EU students only)
  • Geography and Environment Dissertation
  • Advanced Geospatial Applications
  • Applied Ecology and Conservation Management
  • Translating Environmental Science into policy, outreach and decision making
  • Enhancing Geographic Skills Through Fieldwork
  • Earth Futures
  • Environmental Data Analysis and Modelling
  • Environmental Public Health
  • Coasts and Oceans

Careers and Employability

The program aims to prepare students for a wide range of careers, with employers valuing the technical skills, as well as the transferable analytical, communication, and presentation skills graduates develop. Graduates may consider pursuing roles in national parks, local government, water and energy companies, environmental consultancy, policy, teaching, or graduate schemes.

Staff

The research-active teaching team specializes in areas like climate change, glaciers, permafrost, sea-level change, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and more. They bring extensive field experience and contribute to international research shaping the discipline.

Facilities

Specialist facilities support student learning, including three labs: Geography Measurement and Analysis, Palaeo and Environmental Research, and Soil and Sediment Processing. The department's field equipment includes portable tools for environmental sampling and monitoring meteorology, ecology, and pollution. Computing facilities provide access to industry-standard software, allowing students to master skills in data analysis, modeling, and statistics.