Geography

Our BSc (Hons) Geography degree explores the relationships between physical processes, nature and environmental change. All our geography degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand and tackle the biggest global challenges facing the planet and humanity; and our modules do this by engaging with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Plymouth is the ideal setting as a vibrant urban environment surrounded by iconic rural and coastal landscapes.

You will learn from expert, accessible, and supportive staff who are skilled researchers in their field. Your learning has a strong emphasis on applied skills and career development, with an optional placement year offering work experience. All of our degrees are fully accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

• Your degree pathway is flexible, as you can choose human geography (GGH) modules, even if you have entered to study a BSc (physical geography) course.

• A BSc (Hons) Geography degree would typically comprise more physical geography (GGP) option modules than human geography option modules.

• Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and/or international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support.

• Learn to use Geographical Information Systems to analyse and communicate complex spatial data.

• Take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our exchange programme.

• Our focus on employability and applied geography supports students to pursue a range of career opportunities.

• Choose an optional work placement programme providing skills, experience and contacts in a wide range of employment sectors.

• Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website:

• In your first year, modules will introduce you to the latest developments in human and physical geography, and you’ll benefit from small group tutorials. Undertake fieldwork and develop your practical and applied skills through lab work.
• In your second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge with a wide range of optional modules in human and physical geography and core modules in theories, practical skills and careers development. You’ll also have the chance to take field courses in overseas destinations (recent courses have run in Morocco, USA, Iceland, Australia and Sweden).
  Choose an optional year working in industry to improve your knowledge of applied geography and gain invaluable work experience. Our employability service will help you find a placement from our extensive network across all sectors.
  *In your final year, you’ll write a dissertation on any aspect of human or physical geography. There’s a wide range of optional modules in human or physical geography, plus the option of taking a work experience module to prepare you for your first job.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Royal Geographical Society

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS