Geography BSc Honours
School of Life Sciences
Institution Code H36
UCAS Codes
F801
BSc (Hons) Geography with a year in Europe
F800
BSc (Hons) Geography
F802
BSc (Hons) Geography with a year in North America
Course Code HHGEG
Start date
September
More about the course
The BSc(Hons) Geography degree gives you the option to specialise in either the human or physical aspects of Geography or maintain a balance between the two. You can choose to study a variety of topics and subjects that match your interests.
In the first year all students study a balanced package of modules to build a base for specialisation in later years. In your second and final years you can focus on human or physical aspects, or opt for a balance of the two from an extensive list of options.
First Year - In October of the first year, all students attend a six day residential fieldcourse in the Lake District, staying at the Field Studies Centre at Blencathra near Keswick. This allows you to study human, environmental and physical interactions in a UK setting.
Topics that can be studied include:
- weather and climate
- rivers and hydrology
- political and social geography
- environmental pollution
- economic geography
- geology, tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes
- climate change
- historical geography
- soil science
- sustainability
- ecosystems and environmental change
- research and analytical skills
- study skills tutorials
Through undertaking a range of practical activities, you gain a thorough understanding of mountainous environments and the communities that live within them.
Topics that can be studied when you return include:
- arid, tropical and coastal geomorphology
- GISci (Geographical Information Science) and mapping
- environmental and social change in rural environments
- demographic change
- mass movement and hillslope processes
- geopolitics
- population geography
- transport geography
- environmental issues and management
- global environmental change
- glacial and periglacial processes
- research and analytical skills
- study skills tutorials
Final Year - In the final year you will carry out an individual research project, developed in discussion with a tutor who has experience in your chosen topic area.
Dependant on module choice there is a residential fieldtrip to southern Spain. You select from advanced modules in subject areas including physical geography, cultural geography, advanced GISci, countryside and recreation management, urban geography, natural hazards, the developing world and tourism.
Topics that can be studied include:
- hillslopes, hydrology and mass movement
- urban geography
- glaciology
- hydrological processes
- cultural geography
- coastal environments and processes
- natural hazards and disasters
- tourism and development
- water, energy and waste management
- sustainability and sustainable development
- urban design and planning
- GISci and mapping
- environmental impact assessment
- countryside recreation management
- individual research project
Work placement
In your third year you have the option to do a work placement with a company or organisation that carries out geographical and/or environmental functions.
You can do a twelve month placement or two six month placements which offer you the unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience which will set you above other graduates when leaving university.
Geography placement opportunities are available within a wide range of organisations including small, national and multi-national companies, local government, consultancy companies and other organisations.
We currently have students on placement at a wide range of companies including: Veolia Water, Earthworks, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (Lancaster University), Monks Walk School, Stubbington Study Centre, Plandescil Consulting Engineers
You will get to see professionals in action and play an important part in achieving results for your employer as a valued member of the team. Through your work placement you can qualify for the Licentiateship of the City and Guilds Institute (LCGI).
Alternatively you can choose to spend a year abroad where you can either study or undertake research at a partner institution. This can help develop your language skills as well as giving you the chance to learn new working procedures, or specialist techniques which may differ from the UK.
Careers
Our graduates have excellent opportunities in a wide range of careers, because of our varied curriculum, our strong emphasis on field and practical experience, our industrial placement year and our strong ties with professional bodies and employers in business, industry, regulatory bodies and government.Geography and Environmental Sciences graduates find employment in planning, education, research, mineral investigation, waste management, water management, mining and hydrocarbon industries, environmental health, environmental consultancy and other management positions.
Typical job titles of recent graduates:
Assistant Surveyor, Conservation Officer, Environmental Consultant, Environmental developments Officer, Environmental Management Systems Developer, Environmental Manager, Environmental Officer, Environmental Support Officer, Estates manager, GIS assistant, Land Charges Assistant, Planning Officer, Production Systems Development Engineer, Senior GIS Technical Officer, Trainee Emergency Ambulance Technician, Trainee Logging Geologist, Transport Coordinator, Transport Planner.
Typical employers of recent graduates:
Banks Cargil Agriculture Ltd, Beds and Herts Ambulance and Paramedic Service, Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Coors Brewers, Datalog Technology Ltd, Environment Agency, Granada Business Technology, Merck Sharp & Dohme, National Grid Three Valley Water, University of Hertfordshire, Vauxhall Motors, Vivendi Water. Many graduates also go on to work in the environmental and planning departments in government and District and County Councils around the country.
Teaching methods
Most second and third year modules are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% examination. Five of the first year modules are 100% coursework. The type of coursework is varied, depending on the module and includes essays, reports, practical write-ups, posters and seminar presentations.
On a weekly basis students will normally spend time in lectures, seminars and practical lab sessions. Practical work is an important element of an Environmental Sciences degree. In your first year you will take part in many half day practical sessions. Your learning will also be supported by field trips throughout the course.
The locations of these may include Snowdonia, Mam Tor in the Peak District and the Lake District.
Modules also include day trips to locations such as Ashridge and Ivinghoe Beacon, Oxford Botanic Gardens, Nomansland Common, River Colne in Watford, Letchworth Garden City, Docklands, Milton Keynes, Lea Valley Park, Westmill Quarry, Stanborough Park and the Natural History Museum.
Course structure
Detailed information about the structure of the course and the modules you will study.