BSc Hons Geography - Environmental Geography

at University of Stirling

Environmental Geography is an integrated four-year degree course that provides you with training across the spectrum of the subject. We emphasise research-led and experience-based approaches to understanding the complex relationships between people and the planet. With an international context, the course is designed to give you essential skills in intellect and reasoning, field and laboratory, and geo-spatial analysis.
 

Semesters 1-2 focuses on the building of planet Earth and the surface processes responsible for the evolution of our landscape. Alongside these core Earth-science modules you’ll be introduced to how people interact with the environment and the most pressing human-environment issues of the 21st century – including global warming, water resources, pollution and biodiversity loss.
 

In Semesters 3-4, the emphasis is on Biogeography and environmental resilience, including the essential systems of nutrient cycling for sustaining life on Earth.
 

In Semesters 5-6, research-led teaching provides a wide range of advanced modules that include themes of sustainable environmental resources, palaeo-environments, Earth-surface processes and advanced geographical techniques including remote sensing and GIS. You’ll learn about Sustainable Development issues and there is a choice of skills-centred field courses in Year 3.
 

In your final year you’ll develop and apply your research skills through your Honours research project. You’ll be supported by your academic supervisor and can actively participate in national and international research programmes. In doing so, you can take full advantage of the wider geographical research community at the University.
 

Year 1, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Building Planet Earth (ENVU1BP)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 ENVU1GE was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• People and the Environment (GEOU1PP)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 GEOU1PE was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from any module (environment programmes) list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

• Introduction to Computing Science (CSCU9P1)    20 credits

 

Year 1, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Global Environmental Issues (GEOU2GE)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 GEOU2EI was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Landscape Evolution (ENVU2LV)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 ENVULE was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from list
 

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH)    20 credits

• Making the Most of the World Wide Web (CSCU9F2)    20 credits

 

Year 2, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Biogeography: An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach (GEOU3BE)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 GEOU3BG was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Aquatic Environments (AQUU3AE)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

 

Year 2, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Environmental Resilience (GEOU4ER)    20 credits

• Prior to 2020/1 GEOU4HP was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Statistical Techniques (SCIU4T4)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Practical Science Skills II: Field Skills (SCIU2PS)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 SCIU2FS was taken instead
   

Year 3, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Environmental Policy and Management (ENVU5EP)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 ENVU5A5 was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Geographical Information Systems (GEOU9SP)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 GEOU9IS was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from Year 3 Environmental Geography Options list
 

• Environmental Economics (ECNU3NV)    20 credits

• Environmental Policy and Management (ENVU5EP)    20 credits

• Habitat Management and Restoration (ENVU9MR)    20 credits

• Sustainable Water Management (ENVU9WM)    20 credits

 

Year 3, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Sustainable Development (GEOU6GI)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from Year 3 Environmental Geography Options list
 

• Sustainable Landscapes Field Course (ENVU6SP)    20 credits

• Earth Observation (ENVU9EO)    20 credits

• Mountain Leader Assessment (EOEU6S6)    20 credits

• Sustainable Development (GEOU6GI)    20 credits
   

Spain field course (ENVU6SP) or Iceland field course (GEOU9IC) are strongly recommended for students aiming to complete an honours degree
 

Year 4, Semester 1

Dissertation

• Honours Project (GEOU9PR)    60 credits

• Continued in semester 8.
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from Year 4 Environmental Geography options list
 

• Environmental Economics (ECNU3NV)    20 credits

• Environmental Policy and Management (ENVU5EP)    20 credits

• Habitat Management and Restoration (ENVU9MR)    20 credits

• Sustainable Water Management (ENVU9WM)    20 credits
   

Year 4, Semester 2

Option module

Select 20 credits from Year 4 Environmental Geography options list
 

• Sustainable Landscapes Field Course (ENVU6SP)    20 credits

• Earth Observation (ENVU9EO)    20 credits

• Mountain Leader Assessment (EOEU6S6)    20 credits

• Sustainable Development (GEOU6GI)    20 credits

 

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers

• AABB - by the end of S5

• AABBB - by the end of S6
   

GCE A-levels

• BBB
   

IB Diploma

• 30 points
   

BTEC (Level 3)

• DDM
   

Widening access students

• Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
   

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
 

SQA Advanced Highers

• ABB – one sitting
   

GCE A-levels

• ABB
   

IB Diploma

• 35 points
   

Essential subjects

• To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.
  ​​​​​​​

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
 

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
   

  Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  
  Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within the last 5 years of our course start date:
   

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
  
  English language requirements
  
  If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
   

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill

• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills

• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills

• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills

• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)

Academic year:	2022/23	2023/24
Overseas students (non-EU)	£18,800	£20,300

Overseas students (non-EU)
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Environmental Geography graduates are equipped with a unique combination of subject-specific and transferable skills, enabling them to develop their understanding of the relationships between environment and people. These skills, along with experience in fields like investigation, problem-solving, team working, communication and geographical information technology make you highly sought after by a wide range of industrial, commercial and public-sector employers.
 

Our graduates progress to careers in environmental assessment and management, renewable energy, geographical information analysis, the insurance industry, conservation, charity work and overseas aid, geography education, sport and fitness-related work, sustainable development and environmental health.
 

Our course will also give you the foundation for graduate entry to advanced postgraduate taught and research degree courses in the environmental field.