BSc (Honours) Geography
UCAS code
F810Attendance
Full-time
Three years full-time or four years full-time (including one year work placement or year of study abroad)At a glance
Study the environmental, social and physical aspects of the world around you on a course that emphasises the importance of putting what you learn into practice. Subsidised local and international fieldwork forms an important part of the course, as do opportunities to study abroad and complete a work placement.
Key points
Apply what you learn to real world problems.
Learn with lecturers who have international research and industry experience.
Take part in subsidised UK and international field courses to many European locations.
Take opportunities to study overseas and take a one-year placement with a professional organisation.
What is geography?
Geography examines social, environmental and physical processes and how they interact with place, space and human activities.
About this course
Gain a foundation in environmental, human and physical geography, on a practically focused course. You apply your knowledge to real-world problems and issues using geographical ideas, skills and techniques that are developed on the course. There is a special emphasis placed on relationships between the environment and human societies.
During the course you combine both the academic and vocational aspects of geography. You also benefit from the research interests and expertise of enthusiastic staff with strong links across the range of geographical areas, particularly in the environmental sector. This active relationship with research and relevant employment sectors ensures that what you study is up-to-date with current geographical issues.
Our computer suites have IT technician support and run specialist software, including the latest geographical information systems (GIS) software. You learn how to use this software to complete projects, preparing you for roles in industry where these IT skills are important such as in environment agencies.
As well as our onsite facilities, we also use the outside world as a resource for our teaching including urban and rural areas in the UK, the Czech Republic, Spain and Croatia. Fieldwork is important for putting your learning into context and we subsidise the costs of these visits.
You get the opportunity to put what youve learnt into practice in your third year. You can apply for work placements with organisations such as local authorities wildlife trusts Environment Agency Transport for London.
You can also choose a work-based learning module in year two to develop your studies along a particular career route.
As we are members of the international Erasmus programme you can study abroad in Europe for part of your course. We also have similar links with international universities in other countries including Australia and Canada.
Key areas of study
Key areas include physical geography environmental issues human geography field research skills.
You can follow a themed route in each year, such as international development environmental studies geographical information systems (GIS) study a foreign language.
Associated careers
Our previous graduates have developed careers working in areas such as planning, transport and housing logistics surveying teaching the travel industry the media research water management waste and recycling governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
Course content
Year one core modules
introduction to human geography introduction to physical geography (including fieldwork) understanding landscapes environmental issues government and markets
Year one options
One from development and global change environmental science life on earth foreign language
Year two core modules
research methods geomorphology physical or human geography overseas fieldwork
Year two options
Three from professional practice and placement political and economic geography philosophy, space and place development in Africa and the Middle East geographies of sport, leisure and tourism conservation ecology environmental education and communication energy and waste wildlife and landscape GIS foreign language
Year three
optional work placement or year of study abroad
Final year core modules
dissertation contemporary debates in geography natural hazards
Final year options
Two from development in Latin America environmental applications environmental analysis environmental impact assessment people and the natural environment geographies of transport conservation management physical or human geography fieldwork (overseas) globalisation debates applied GIS foreign language
Assessment
overseas and local fieldwork individual and group project work written reports essays presentations seen and unseen examinations
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
Five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
300 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including at least 80 points in geography or environmental science. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.
Access course in a relevant subject from an Open College Network accredited course with 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2
If English is not your first language you need an IELTS average score of at least 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in all skills.
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
2013 entry requirements
Five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
300 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including at least 80 points in geography or environmental science. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of professional bodies and mandatory UK field trips are included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk