Geography with Foundation Year

Our 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. Your learning has a strong emphasis on applied skills and career development, with an optional placement year offering work experience.

This is a four-year BSc (Hons) degree programme starting at Year Zero. It is one of a suite of such programmes, designed for students who are not appropriately qualified, in subject knowledge, attainment or recent experience, for entry to Level 4 of undergraduate programmes in Science. On successful completion of Year Zero, students progress to Level 4 of an undergraduate degree in Science. Students completing the BSc (Hons) Geography with Foundation Year programme will normally progress to a BSc or BA (Hons) programme in Geography in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SoGEES) . The University guarantees progression to one of the following science-based BSc programmes

• BSc (Hons) Geography
• BA (Hons) Geography
• BSc (Hons) Geography with International Relations
• BSc (Hons) Physical Geography and Geology
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography
• BSc (Hons) Geography with GIS
• BSc (Hons) Geography with Ocean Science

Providing a student has achieved 120 credits in the Level 0 programme of study.

• 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.

• You will learn from expert, accessible, and supportive staff who are skilled researchers in their field.

• 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.

• A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do.