BSc (Hons) Human Geography

in the School of Life and Medical Sciences

UCAS code L700
Institution code H36

Open Days Apply for 2020

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About the course

It is an exciting time to study Human Geography at the University of Hertfordshire, as space and place has become locally, regionally, nationally and supra-nationally contested throughout the world, as resources like water dwindle, and populations increase and move.

At the University of Hertfordshire, we specialise in better understanding how new sustainable and resilient urban spaces are created, making good use of the world's first Garden City and the country's first New Town on our doorstep.

We are also fascinated by issues of governance, exclusion, vulnerability and resistance amongst diverse communities, both in the UK and abroad, with researchers working on these topics in Canada and India. We also have research and teaching staff focusing on future mobilities in a part of the country where commuting issues and congestion are so topical.

Fact sheets 2019 Course fact sheet 1 BSc (Hons) Human Geography

Programme specifications 2019 Programme specification 1 BSc (Hons) Geography and Environment

Why choose this course?

Other key features of our course include:

A focus into migration pathways and gateway towns with staff expertise in the Polish diaspora.
We have dedicated GIS suites that help us to map and analyse these phenomena.
Field work is a key aspect of the study of Human Geography at UH and we are ideally placed to look at development, economic regeneration and community transition in North London and its satellite towns, plus issues around the Green Belt.
You can study the course over 4 years by including an industrial placement or a year studying at one of our many overseas partners.
Our teaching team are dedicated and personable, and we treasure our informal, 'family' reputation and sense of community. Our staff know our students, and our regular small-group tutorials in first and second years set us apart from many larger departments.

And that's not all!

No additional charges for compulsory residential field courses in Year 1 and Year 2
High student satisfaction and a good study community,
Regular opportunities for students to assist staff with glaciology research and to undertake fieldwork in pursuit of final year dissertations in locations including Iceland, Switzerland and the High Arctic.
Working with employers in Hertfordshire to address pressing environmental challenges, helping them save energy, reduce waste and put effective techniques in place to manage their environmental impact.
Working with voluntary organisations to support community energy - overcoming the barriers to installing solar panels on school buildings and improving a community energy toolkit.
Opportunities to get involved in ecology activities at Bayfordbury such as beekeeping, bat watching, coppicing, etc
Active research community

You can find out more about our staff in Geography, Environment and Agriculture here.

Professional Accreditations

This programme has received accreditation from the Royal Geographical Society and has therefore been independently checked to ensure that the knowledge, skills and other attributes expected of high quality geography graduates are being delivered.

Course details

Careers

Geography graduates are highly sought after in a wide range of professions.

Our graduates have found successful careers in the following sectors:

Local government
Recreational and habitat management organisations
Environmental consultancy
Teaching
Broader graduate recruitment schemes
Postgraduate study.

Graduate may like to consider further study for example in the University of Hertfordshire's MSc courses in Sustainable Planning

What job can I get?

Our graduates are highly sought after in a wide range of professions within local government, the civil service, town and country planning, regeneration, housing, recreational management, transport and travel planning, environmental resources management and teaching. Our graduates also join more general graduate recruitment schemes and go on to postgraduate study.

Teaching methods

You will develop your independent study and interpersonal skills on this course. There is an emphasis on structured research, well-prepared written and verbal presentations and computer literacy.

You will experience a wide variety of teaching styles on the programme including:

standard lectures
seminars
tutorials
laboratories
case studies
individual and group projects

In your final year you will normally have the opportunity to hone your independent study and interpersonal skills by undertaking a major project or dissertation

Part-time study

If you are studying part-time you will study for 5-6 years to complete your course from registration. You will complete 60 credits per year. The first and second year are made up of compulsory modules thereafter years three to six contain a mixture of core and optional modules depending on the pathway you are studying on. Your timetable will depend on which modules you pick.

Work Placement

You have the opportunity to take a work placement for a year before your final year. These optional placements will enhance your future career prospects. Successful completion of your placement may also lead to a Licentiateship of the City and Guilds Institute.

Study abroad

This course offers you the opportunity to study abroad in the Sandwich Year through the University's study abroad programme. Study abroad opportunities are available worldwide and in Europe under the Erasmus+ Programme. Find out more about Study abroad opportunities

Structure

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Ecosystems and Environmental Change	15 Credits	Compulsory
Includes an introduction to: * biogeography, climate/vegetation patterns and ecological processes * role of major biogeochemical cycles * structure and functioning of major ecosystem types (UK focus) e.g. woodlands, grasslands, agro-ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems * human influences on ecosystems, including examples of management * climate change and air pollutants: impacts of ecosystems * environmental impact assessments * the key UK and EU laws that influence the management of threatened habitats * ecological data handling and descriptive statistics
Introduction to Field Research	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module includes a residential field course to a UK location. The module will cover a range of topics that may include cultural geography, biodiversity, geology, geomorphology, ecology, climate change and tourism impacts. Underpinning theory and linkage to wider research contexts are introduced in the lectures. Staff-led and student-led data collection methods are introduced and undertaken in the field. Students are then introduced to the analysis and synthesis of this field information through class and IT-lab sessions both during and after the field course.
Dynamic Earth	15 Credits	Compulsory
The aims of this module are to enable students to understand the dynamic processes that produce rocks and geological structures, and be able to recognise them in the laboratory and in the field. The geological evolution of the Earth and the importance of plate tectonics in the formation of rocks and geological structures will be studied, together with introductory igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic petrology. The module will also consider weathering, erosion, transport and deposition of Earth surface materials and the dynamic endogenic and exogenic processes that impact on anthropogenic activities and cause geohazards.
The Earth System	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides students with an opportunity to explore the Earth’s systems. The module provides an account of the history of the Earth, and considers the major environmental systems in turn, focussing on the features and processes that define each system. Students will be able to develop an understanding of how the different systems interact and the importance of these interactions for shaping the surface of the Earth and its biological communities. The relationship between environmental / climate changes and human activities is a central theme throughout the module.
Geographical and Environmental Thought	15 Credits	Compulsory
After an Introduction to the module and the types of assessment used the module will reflect on the development of geographical and environmental thought from the 19th century through to 20th century including a review of environmental determinism, regional geography and the rise of positivism. This will provide the basis for better understanding the rise of modern environmental concern and the Green Movement, including the work of John Muir and the emergence of the National Park concept. The module then moves on to explore different theoretical explanations framed during the 20th century for how society is structured and how we measure change and difference in society. This includes an examination of radical perspectives. It then returns to explore the major streams of environmentalism, and the rise in importance of sustainable development into mainstream consciousness in the 21st century. The module ends with a reflection upon how this impacts on people’s perceptions of nature.
Cultural and Historical Geography	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will typically introduce topics like the creation of places, peoples’ relationship with landscape, how nations are built and geopolitics. It will also investigate ideas around modernity and modernisation, colonial and postcolonial geographies, globalisation, class, race and gender. The module will also look at power, identity, inequalities alongside communities and consumption and explore writing and reading places Students will also learn how to conduct an archival enquiry using either on-line or local archives.
Space, Place and Future Mobility	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will receive an introduction to a number of concepts on the topic of space and place at degree level. This will include looking at historical allocations of space, how those allocations have changed over time, and how the development of those geographic spaces have created places. The topic of mobility will also be introduced, focussing on historical patterns, challenges and solutions, and how those can be used to inform future policy. Geographical Information Systems will be used throughout to develop essential skills in spatial mapping and analysis.
Political and Economic Geography	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module introduces the framework of society with a particular relationship between people and their environment (human space at a range of geographical scales from local to global) and economic change, helping students to place Hertfordshire and the UK within broader geographical spaces and tiers of governance. Through lectures, a field visit, workshops and problem-based group learning students explore the interaction of people with the environment and will develop an understanding of the approaches adopted by geographers towards governing and planning human space and society and managing conflict within these spaces. Lectures will introduce the political and legal framework of England, concepts surrounding regional and local economic change, consider the UK political outlook at national and local level and introduce the planning system and issues around this. Lectures will also consider Britain’s changing relationship with Europe.
Essential Study Skills	0 Credits	Compulsory
Students will complete assignments, within their discipline of choice, that include opportunities for development of their personal transferable skills. They will reflect on their development with the assistance of a personal tutor and will produce a portfolio of evidence based on the set assignments and wider experience such as from the work place or other areas of responsibility. Skills assessed are: autonomy and taking responsibility for themselves (A); group working (GW), oral and written communication (COM), information management (IM), problem solving (PS), numeracy (NUM), self-evaluation and reflective practice (SERP).

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
People, Place and Movement	30 Credits	Compulsory
Census provides geographers with a substantial resource for studying demographic change but also to understand migration, the labour market, and social deprivation. The skills students gain in this module using the Census will be applied in third year modules and contribute to the students’ employability. Secondly, it will focus on cities and cover a range of issues including housing, urban regeneration, and crime. Cities are the sites of many problems in our society but also provide inspiring examples demonstrating how communities have overcome them. This topic will include a one-day field visit and workshop studying a live regeneration project. The third topic students will cover is transport policy and travel planning. Here, students will learn about best practice in green travel planning and other key aspects of transport including policy implementation and delivering resilient transport infrastructure.
Geographies of Exclusion and Marginalisation	30 Credits	Compulsory
In Semester A the module reflects on exclusion and marginalisation from an urban UK perspective. It starts with an introduction to the module and assignments, before introducing key exclusion and marginalisation theory. It then explores the regional and sub-regional patterns of exclusion and marginalisation in the UK whilst also exploring how these phenomena manifest themselves in everyday lives and livelihoods. In Semester B we start by exploring exclusion and marginalisation from a rural perspective which is then examined at a European level. The module concludes by exploring exclusion and marginalisation from colonial and oriental perspectives within a broader global context and addresses human agency and activism as a response to these issues.
Enhancing Employability	0 Credits	Compulsory
Students will complete tutor group-based assignments, tutorials and activities within their discipline that include opportunities for development of their personal transferable skills in line with the aspirations set out in the University of Hertfordshire’s Graduate Attributes. They will reflect on their development of academic and transferable skills with the assistance of a personal tutor at a number of individual and group tutorials. Students will also attend an enterprise workshop to introduce them to an enterprise mind-set and considerations for self-employment. One component of the assessment is work experience (a minimum of 56 hours must normally be completed). Students must produce a reflective review on their work experience which records their employability skills and techniques. The combination of attendance at scheduled sessions (minimum 50%), completion of work experience hours and reflective review is assessed by the student's personal tutor and an overall grade of Pass or Fail is awarded for the module.
Environment, Conservation and Food	30 Credits	Optional
This module will cover ecological theory and practice, related environmental and conservation issues and explore environmental assessments. The role of the agri-environment and the ecological basis of food production will be explored. There is a compulsory integrated field course before the module begins, where a range of practical ecological and field skills will be practiced.
Digital Geography	30 Credits	Optional
This module introduces the underpinning concepts and ideas behind GISci and their application and use in answering geospatial questions. Topics covered may include basic remote sensing as input to a GIS, the two main GISci data models, geospatial data collection and input methods including GPS concepts, digital cartographic issues such as map projections, symbology and visualisation of data, spatial data structures and GISci data models, geospatial databases, basic analysis techniques for both raster and vector data including Boolean logic operations, and a review of current technological trends such as OpenGIS (GML) and DistributedGIS.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Individual Research Project - GE	30 Credits	Compulsory
The Research Project provides the opportunity for an individual, extended, in-depth study of a selected aspect of those disciplines covered by the programme, and may address one or more of the Division's research objectives. Lecture, workshop and tutorial sessions (which may be group and/or individual) provide support for the student, and students are allocated a University supervisor. The work may involve fieldwork, laboratory work, questionnaire surveys, or many other research procedures.
Urban Social Geography, Planning and Development	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module seeks to provide students with an in depth understanding of selected topical issues in social and cultural geography within an urban context, as well as and acquaint them with approaches to theory and research in the discipline. The module also focuses on urban planning issues, policy and practice. The topics covered will reflect current theoretical debate and will reflect research interests of academic staff, these may typically include urban deprivation, social capital, regeneration, gender & the city, iconographic city, postmodernism and urban design. Case studies will be used in seminars and in field trips to further understanding.
Geopolitics: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of selected topical and historical issues within geopolitics, geostrategy, historical geography and international relations. It does so using an historical narrative of the key events in, mainly, Eurasian history, such as charting the development of nation states, border disputes, state formation, diplomatic relationships and broader concepts such as imperialism, post-colonialism and globalisation. In addition, contemporary world events are examined in detail and the spatial consequences assessed. Such topics are by their nature fluid, but can include terrorism, world order, migrant crises, food security and climate change. The module is conceptually grounded in ideas and epistemologies, theories of geopolitical thought, and the ontological development of this thought and how it has changed over time constantly shaping the world and the contested perceptions of it.
Development, Tourism and the Marginalised World	30 Credits	Optional
This module tackles the uneasy relationship that exists between development and tourism in the marginalised world. It critically examines key theories and concepts that relate to development, tourism and marginalisation. The module also analyses the impacts that marginal geography and development have had on the relational identity of ‘others’ and ‘insiders’ working in the tourist industry in different parts of the World. Students will learn to conceptualise, understand and offer solutions to some of the problems surrounding development and tourism in the marginalised world with special emphasis on mountain development. They will also learn how to apply participatory theory through the use of participatory techniques in order to problem solve in marginal environments. A residential field course is integral to this module.
Placement - GE	0 Credits	Optional
The sandwich placement will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt in the taught years of the degree in a work-based situation. The employer will appoint a work-place supervisor, and the student will also have a University supervisor. Students will write a major report on their placement which is normally agreed with and then assessed by both the employer and university supervisor.
Solving Environmental Problems	30 Credits	Optional
Topic areas that may be covered include- sustainability and sustainable development; the economy and the environment; business opportunities and the environment; environmental governance; environmental ethics; corporate social responsibility; water management; energy management; waste management; environmental economics; environmental management systems; strategic environmental assessment; environmental impact assessment; environmental risk assessment and environmental auditing.
Year Abroad - GE	0 Credits	Optional
Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research project, field studies or a mixture of these components. The Year Abroad will be for two academic semesters or their equivalent. The students will therefore follow a programme negotiated by the Associate Head of School or nominee and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to commencement of the Year Abroad, the student, the programme officers from the University of Hertfordshire and from the host institution will agree a learning agreement and mode of attendance.
Implementing Geospatial Information	30 Credits	Optional
This module enables students to critically engage with some of the issues surrounding institutional implementation of GISci and systems, in a context appropriate for future employment. The students will be introduced to corporate implementation issues, reviewing known issues and problems to enable them to avoid these in the future. The Internet will be heavily used to research developments in GISci, as well as for data discovery and mining for student projects, Internet-delivered advances, such as distributed GIS, Location Based Services and real-time updated GIS will be discussed. Following training on GI techniques, students will be introduced to project management techniques and will be expected to undertake an individual project, producing a report on their work.
Outdoor Recreation, Access and Education	30 Credits	Optional
The module examines a number of in-depth topics related to countryside access management and outdoor education. Students will develop a critical awareness of the underpinning laws and policies in the UK. They will develop an in-depth understanding the context (history of outdoor recreation), UK access legislation and practice, the development of rights of way, definitions and responsibilities, history of open access, role of stakeholders. They will explore outdoor education by considering visitor management and interpretation, models of outdoor education, policy and regulation, the educational background and adventure education. Students will also undertake fieldwork and practical workshops.
Natural Hazards and Disaster Reduction	30 Credits	Optional
This module will investigate the types, causes and effects of the main natural hazards, which may include geological, geomorphological, hydrological, biosphysical and atmospheric hazards that result in significant mortality, ill-health and damage to the built and natural environment around the world. The causes and effects of hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and other ground movements, tsunami, floods and droughts, storms, glaciers, and diseases, may be studied. The role of humans in turning natural hazards into disasters will be evaluated using case histories. Disaster risk reduction, including, hazard and risk assessment, mitigation, adaptation and disaster management will be covered. Vulnerability modification will be discussed, which may include: environmental controls, hazard-resistant design, planning, preparedness, forecasting and warning systems. The implications for public health and sustainability, and the effects of climate change will be considered for these natural hazards.

Fees & funding

Fees 2019

UK/EU Students

Full time

£9250 for the 2019/2020 academic year

Part time

£1155 per 15 credits for the 2019/2020 academic year

This course offers fantastic opportunities for field work which gives students the chance to study human, environmental and physical interactions in both UK and International settings. All first and second year residential field trip costs are covered by your fees.

There is one optional choice of a field to Southern Spain in final year that will cost approximately £400 and cover international travel costs, bed and breakfast. This trip is heavily subsidised by the University.

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Entry requirements

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
96	CCC	MMM

Additional requirements
All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.
Find out more about International Entry Requirements.
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

How to apply

Course length

Full Time, 3 Years
Part Time, 5 Years
Sandwich, 4 Years

Locations

University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

2019

Start Date	End Date	Link
28/09/2019	20/05/2020	Apply online (Full Time)
28/09/2019	20/05/2020	Apply online (Part Time)
28/09/2019	20/05/2020	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
28/09/2019	20/05/2020	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

2020

Start Date	End Date	Link
28/09/2020	20/05/2021	Apply online (Full Time)
28/09/2020	20/05/2021	Apply online (Part Time)
28/09/2020	20/05/2021	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
28/09/2020	20/05/2021	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

2021

Start Date	End Date	Link
28/09/2021	20/05/2022	Apply online (Full Time)
28/09/2021	20/05/2022	Apply online (Part Time)
28/09/2021	20/05/2022	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
28/09/2021	20/05/2022	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

Optional Sandwich Placement or Study Abroad year