Why you should study this course
Throughout your studies, you will have opportunity to undertake residential field trips* to apply geographical knowledge to real-world concerns. In the first year, all students are required to take part in a residential field trip, followed in the second year and final years by international field trips. In the past students, have visited The Gambia, Berlin and the Lake District to study social and cultural impacts of tourism, economic regeneration and impacts of people on landscape. Students have previously visited the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in London to access the wealth of resources owned by the RGS and were able to see first-hand what student membership of the RGS can offer.
- To augment field trip experiences, our students will be taught in the Simulation Centre, which is currently the most advanced interactive people training and development centre in the UK. Its cutting-edge technology which is unique in the UK, its learning curve interactive screen and real-life scenarios using specially-trained actors not only help develop new ways of working in otherwise inaccessible environments.
- A large range of optional modules allows you to tailor your degree to suit your interests with topics such as climate change, development, consumption geographies, alternative subcultures and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), planning and sustainability.
- You will be enrolled for student membership of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) for the duration of your course, which includes a subscription to Geographical Magazine and access to their facilities in London, a programme of talks, as well as information and advice on career planning. Staff and students have previously presented talks at the annual RGS conference. Students are encouraged to be active members of the RGS Ambassador scheme, which promotes the subject by giving talks at schools.
What you'll study
Our geography degrees are designed to develop your knowledge of the spatial organisation and evolution of the human and physical environment, within the broad field of geographical inquiry.
In all three years, you will be supported to develop your practical analytical and problem-solving skills, with appropriate training in how to conduct robust independent research in the field, as well as detailed critical analysis and methods of reporting. Our modular degree also allows for a strong element of personalisation. Students can tailor the course to their own interests and career aspirations through a range of bespoke modules.
Year one
The first year of the course, common across both our BA and BSc Geography courses, encompasses the study of people and place, spatial patterns, globalisation, economic, development, political social and cultural geographies as well as landscape, climate change, and meteorology. For example, we will examine how processes of globalisation have impacted people across the planet and in the UK.
You will also have opportunity to learn to apply qualitative and quantitative techniques and have certified training in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software to map and visualise geographical issues.
Modules
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Earth Surface Environments - 20 credits
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Geosystems - 20 credits
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A Globalising World - 20 credits
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People and Place - 20 credits
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Fundamentals of Geographical Research - 30 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
Year two
In the second year you will explore in more depth the human geography themes studied in the first year, for example society and culture, consumption geographies and international development. Skills in research, data collection and analysis will be taught in class and put into practice on an international field trip. You will also have the opportunity to select one optional module to further your specific interests in GIS, climate change or contemporary environmental issues.
Modules
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Society, Culture and Space - 20 credits
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Shop ‘til you Drop: Geographies of Consumption - 20 credits
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Development, Culture and Change - 20 credits
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Fieldwork and Research Applications - 30 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
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Applied GIS and Remote Sensing – 20 credits
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Climate Change: The Science and Symptoms - 20 credits
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Contemporary Environmental Issues – 20 credits
Final year
In your final year, you will have the opportunity to study more specialised options including alternative subcultures, geographies of social exclusion and marginalisation and development, conflict and health. An international field trip provides the opportunity to further your field skills and to widen your international experience. Trips are subsided for all students.
In addition, you will be able to focus on a topic of your own choice for your final year project. Past students have looked at Fairtrade cities, British Muslim identities, food waste, geographies of rap music culture, experiences of Polish migrants in the UK, sustainable development in West Africa and Cultural Economies, to name just a few examples.
Modules
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Research Dissertation – 30 credits
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International Fieldwork for Human Geography - 20 credits
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Living on the Edge: Geographies of Marginalisation - 20 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
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Shaping Places: Planning, Sustainable, Environment – 20 credits
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Four Horsemen: War, Pestilence, Famine, Death - 20 credits
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Geo Informatics – 20 credits
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Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll: Alternative Geographies of Pleasure – 20 credits
