BA (Honours) Human Geography

UCAS code

L720

Attendance

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 aspects of social behaviour, including cultural, economic and political activity, at both global and local scales.аYouаcan specialise in key areas that interest you by choosing from a wide range of optional modules, andаcan also apply for work-based learning and placement opportunities, in the UK and overseas.

Key points
ХаStudy human activity and its impact on various settings.
ХаGain real insight into your subject with field-courses in diverse cities such as London, Berlin and Barcelona.
ХаSpecialise in areas such as planning and regeneration or study a language.
ХаChoose to study abroad or take the opportunity of a work-placement in private, governmental or voluntary organisations.

What is human geography?
Human geography is a major field of geography which explores the ways in which human activities influence, and are influenced by, space, place and the wider environment.а We focus strongly on an exploration of the impacts of political, economic, historical, social, cultural and environmental geographies and understanding how these help us make sense of the complex world in which we live.

About this course

This course provides a deeper insight into economics, politics, culture and environmentalismаby studying the dynamic geographies of human activity, and how this has changed over time, at both a local and global level.

This knowledge base is both theoretical and practical and addresses many of the most pressing issues in contemporary society.аThis combination ensures that you gain aаrange of highly desirable core and transferable skills which areаrelevant toаUK and overseas employers.

In your first year, you gain a broad introduction to human geographical topics including Х environmental issues Х government and markets Х geographies of the city Х issues in the developing world.

You work onаcase studies and respond to questions that are relevant to academic and policy making communities, and we encourage youаto draw on your own personal experiences. You also use specialist examples, ranging from housing and transportation within the context of urban and rural regeneration and sustainability.

There is a strong emphasis on the importance ofаdeveloping your knowledge and skills in the field, and gaining valuable first-hand experiences on the course. You take part in a substantial amount of UK-based fieldwork, which includes local and regional activities as well as a week-long residentialаin London. Overseas residential field-courses also form an integral part of the course, and currently these take place in Berlin and Barcelona.

To reflect your individual interests the course allows you to tailor your studies by choosing from aаrange of optional modules.аThese include various aspects of human geography and also more applied modules in the areas of planning, regeneration and GIS.а

You canаchoose to study a foreign language throughout your degree, which, combined with the international fieldwork and the opportunities for overseas study and placements, helps you to develop your ability to find jobs overseas.

Youаalso developаotherаskills which are invaluable for your future career including IT, presentation and communication skills, critical thinking and group-work. You can also increase your experience and skills in a professional setting on the work-based learning module.

During year three, youаhave the option to complete aаwork placement orаstudy abroad for up to one year. This may involve working with private companies or government and voluntary organisations in the UK or Europe.аItТs a great opportunity to focus on a career path and gain the skills, knowledge and experienceаto find a job after you graduate.

You benefit from the research interests and expertise of our staff who have strong active links with organisations involved in regeneration, housing, planning, environment and international development.

Key areas of study
Key areas include Хаsustainable development Хаgeographical information systems (GIS) Хаphilosophical approaches to space and place Хаdissident geographiesаХ contemporary debates in geography Хаdevelopment issues in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East Хаglobalisation and alter-globalisation movements.

Associated careers

You can find careers in urban renewal or town planning or go on to postgraduate research or specialised postgraduate studies in areas such as Х planning Х transport Х housing Х urban regeneration.

Previous graduates have found careers in Х retail and travel Х teaching Х logistics and GIS systems Х local government, including planning, transportation and housing departments Х environmental agencies Х non-governmental organisations.

Course content

Year one core modules

Х development and global change Х governments and markets Х environmental issues Х geographies of the city Х introduction to human geography

Year one options

One from Х understanding landscapes Х introduction to regeneration Х introduction to planning concepts Х introduction to planning and design Х foreign language

Year two core modules

Х research methods Х philosophy, space and place Х urban change and conflict (including overseas fieldwork)

Year two options

Three from Х professional practice and placement Х geographies of sport, leisure and tourismаХ development in Africa and the Middle East Х environmental education and communication Х local economic regeneration Х strategic planning and policy Х political and economic geography Х GIS Х foreign language

Year three

Х optional placement year

Final year core modules

Х dissertation Х contemporary debates in geography Х globalisation debates

Final year options

Two from Х sustainable cities (includingаoverseas fieldwork) Х development in Latin America Х transport geography Х people and the natural environment Х local communities and change Х foreign language Х applied GIS, place, space and culture

Assessment

Х overseas and local fieldwork Х individual and group project work Х written reports Х essays Х presentations Х 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

Х 280 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including at least 80 points in geography or a related social science subject, such as Х business studies Х economics Х history Х law Х politics Х sociology. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.

Х Accessаcourse in a relevant subject from an Open College Network accredited course with 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits atаlevel 2а

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

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

For 2013 entry, mandatory UK field trips are included in the course fee.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically г11,250 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