BA Geography with Year Abroad

at University of Leicester

Year 1

You will study a broad range of physical and human geography topics in order to understand the breadth of the subject. A UK-based residential field trip will get you out of the lecture theatre and into the field where you will develop fieldwork skills and do project work.

 

Modules

• Human Geography for a Globalized World
• Environment, Nature, Society
• Evolution of the Earth System
• Exploring our Digital Planet
• Human Geography Fieldcourse: The dynamics of people and place
• The Contemporary Earth System
• Skills for Professional Geographies 
• Working with Geographic Information

Apart from the field course, this is the same as the BSc in Geography, enabling you to switch between the two degrees at the end of your first year if your grades in BSc modules allow this.

 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Year 2

During this year you will begin to focus on human geography, covering topics such as environmental justice, gentrification, and the politics of development. Your second year will involve an international field trip (previous locations have included New York). A physical Geography option remains and you will take the interdisciplinary Climate Change module in semester one.

 

Core modules

• Geographical Research in the Field (Human Geography Overseas Field Course)
• Histories and Philosophies of Human Geography 
• Research Design and Methods (with Dissertation Planning)
• Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation
• Geographical Information Science

Option modules
Choose two option modules from:

• The Dynamic Biosphere
• Environment and Development
• Social and Cultural Geography
• Economy, Society and Space

Then choose one option module from:

• Political Geography: Space, Territory and Power
• Geography in Education (This module has limited spaces) 
• Remote Sensing for Geographers 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Year Abroad or in Industry (optional)

If you want to, you can spend the third year of the BA studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years.

 

Final Year

Your final year incorporates a blend of teaching and research. You will select a topic to research in your dissertation and choose from a wide range of optional modules.

 

Choose six option modules from:

• Critical Digital Geographies
• Contemporary Environmental Challenges
• Cities of the Global South
• Geographies of the Market Place
• Information Visualisation
• Migration, Place and Diversity
• Critical, Symbolic and Emotional Rural Geographies
• Berlin Fieldcourse: Tracing Geopolitics in Urban Space
• Understanding the Tropical Forests of SE Asia
• Research Communication
• Neotropical Rainforests*

Plus your Dissertation

 

*On the BA programme, the prerequisite for this module is The Dynamic Biosphere

 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

• A/AS-levels: ABB. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level. Geography not essential.
• EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ at grade B.
• GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Language and Maths.
• Access to HE Diploma: Pass relevant diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction.
• BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with DDM.
• International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points. Minimum of 3 in HL Maths, or 4 in SL Maths, or 5 in Maths Studies required if Grade C/4 not held at GCSE. Minimum of 4 in English Language required if grade C/4 not held at GCSE.

Other national and international qualifications considered. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for the International Foundation Year – Society and Culture run by the Global Study Centre. The GSC provides academic support to help you progress to your chosen undergraduate degree at the University of Leicester.

 

Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

 

Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

 

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.

 

English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with at least 6.0 in each component score. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

 

International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

UK Students

Starting in 2022

• £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
• Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,250 for that year

Year in Industry: your fee will be 15% of the full-time tuition fee that applies in that year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

 

Additional costs
Additional costs for 2022/23 are yet to be confirmed but, as an indication, the following was the case for students who started in 2020/21:

If you choose the field trip to Berlin as one of your third year option modules, the cost is expected to be about £500.

International Students

Starting in 2022

• £18,000 per year
• Year Abroad: £4,500, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
• Year in Industry: £2,700, which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee

You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

 

From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

Our degrees are designed to broaden your horizon and to help you acquire the skills sought by employers. Leicester geographers are highly competitive in the job market because of our research-based approach to teaching and learning, which fosters your analytical capabilities, creativity and confidence.

 

We have dedicated careers support in the School to help you realise your career goals. During term time you will also receive information about careers fairs, job opportunities and career development courses, and other practical information to help you on your way.

 

A second year module 'Geography in Education' provides placements in local secondary schools. Working closely with teachers you can develop skills and experience beneficial to a career in teaching.

 

We also organise dedicated Geography Careers Events. Recent speakers represented the Civil Service, Selfridges & Co, Hatch Regeneris, the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, Ordnance Survey and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

 

The School has well-established links with many businesses and Government departments, including Natural England, the European Space Agency, the Home Office, BP Exploration, and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.