Geography BA (Hons)

Geography explores the world through the concepts of space, place and time, and with our RGS (with IBG) accredited BA (hons) Geography degree you will focus on the interactions between people, communities and the environment, and how these are conditioned by social, political, cultural and economic factors. You will cover challenges around globalisation, population changes, migration, urban and rural land use, sustainability, international development and geopolitics, and climate change.

Your studies begin with a broad geographical foundation that introduces you to human, physical and environmental geographies. Sustainability is embedded throughout our Geography degrees. You will develop your understanding in, and ability to analyse, key global challenges, such as accelerating urbanisation and environmental breakdown, food security, governance and rewilding, and gain experience in social research methods, such as participatory action research and community engagement.

The expertise of our interdisciplinary team of research-active staff spans food geographies, international development, political ecology and governance to glacial and riverine environments. This expertise is reflected in the choice of specialist modules, which cover everything from sustainable development to the urban Anthropocene, environmental policies and nature governance, to catchment modelling and natural hazards.

Fieldwork is an integral part of a geography degree. day and residential field trips are designed to enhance you subject-specific knowledge and understanding, while equipping you with essential skills in data collection and analysis.

We run field courses in and around Eryri National Park (Snowdonia: EN) and Southwest England (Cornwall and Somerset) in Years 1 and 2, with the option to go to Tenerife in Year 3.

The optional Year 3 trips provide exciting opportunities to gain field-based international experience, enabling you to explore both the human and physical landscapes. The trip to Tenerife focuses on the environment (soils, forests, volcanic activity, tourism, renewables).

Throughout your degree, you’ll develop skills in research methods, data collection and analysis, and in the use of specialist survey tools and mapping software, as well as in statistical analyses. You’ll present your work in a variety of formats from reports and essays to posters and oral presentations.

During your final year you will conduct your own independent research under staff guidance, to explore topic of your choice. Past dissertation projects have, for example, focused on topics including life cycle analysis of fast fashion; climate change education in the curriculum; social deprivation and support services; urban regeneration in UK ports; and cultural heritage management.

The optional placement year offers a chance gain additional extended work experience, here in the UK or abroad. Previously, for example, students undertaken placements with Thames Water, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), and Hampton Court Palace. Students have undertaken placements from London to Cleveland, and as far afield as New Zealand and Chile.

We offer three undergraduate Geography degrees: this three-year BA (Hons) Geography, the three-year BSc (Hons) Geography, and a four-year integrated MGeog Geography. Students joining a bachelor's programme can transfer onto the MGeog at the end of Year 2 (subject to a year average mark of 60% or above).

All of our degrees give you flexibility to study a combination of human, physical and environmental geography. The BA leans more towards the humanities and social sciences, the ways in which communities, cultures and societies interact with the environment. The BSc. designation indicates a greater focus on the science of the natural physical world, earth surface processes and landforms.