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Geography

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Geography offers an understanding of the processes that created our physical world.

On your three-year BSc Geography degree, you will study the natural and physical science aspects of geography and gain a better understanding of climate change; both in the past and how it might influence our world in the future. You will learn how to read a landscape and the processes that help to shape it, will gain an appreciation of our changing world, as viewed from space, and will discover how to use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to interrogate and analyse spatial data.

Your year two overseas field course is an important milestone in developing your skills as a researcher, giving you the opportunity to study the landscape in more detail in locations such as southern Spain or Tenerife. The compulsory year two trip is included in course fees. Further optional overseas field courses allow you to hone these skills in the unique environments that alpine and tropical locations offer.

Your future employability is a key priority throughout your studies. This programme is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, which enhances your future prospects in industry. Southampton graduates work in a range of careers including public policy, teaching, environmental consultancy, financial services, retail, marketing, town-planning, GIS-related and government advisory roles and 100% of our Geography graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020/2021).

Geography at Southampton is ranked 6th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide, 2024.

Modules

Field work is an important element of your degree and you will have the option to participate in projects in each year of study. You will also complete core modules (examples listed below) and choose additional optional modules each year to shape your degree to your interests.

Year One
Field work
Non-residential one-week field course, exploring the vegetation and stream dynamics of the New Forest.

Core Modules
A Global World
Dynamic Landscapes
Society, Culture & Space
The Earth System

Year Two
Field Work
One-week overseas field trip (compulsory and covered by your fees) previous trips have been to Tenerife and Spain.

Core Modules
Research Project Preparation
GIS for Geographers and Environmental Scientists
Remote Sensing for Earth Observation

Year Three
Field work
Optional field trips further afield. Previous trips have been to Switzerland and Cambodia

Core Modules
Research Project

The full list of modules is available on the course page on our website.

Please note: information included was correct at time of publication, March 2024.

Assessment method

Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation.

The learning activities for this course include lectures, classes and tutorials and coursework.

We’ll assess you through developing websites, essays, individual and group projects, oral presentations and written and practical exams.

Throughout, you'll be supported by a personal academic tutor, your peers, and have access to a senior tutor.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 22/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
F800
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F800
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

AAB - ABB
AAB if no preferred subjects* are included ABB if one or more preferred subjects* are included *Geography, Biology, Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Environmental Science, Geology and Politics A Pass in science practical is required where relevant science A Levels are taken.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD
DDD in the BTEC National Extended Diploma

Access to HE Diploma

D: 39 credits M: 6 credits
Typical Offers: 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit or 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit in a preferred subject.

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD
DD in BTEC National Diploma plus A in A-level subject or DD in BTEC National Diploma plus B in a preferred A-Level subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D
D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus A A from 2 A-level subjects or D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AB from 2 A-level subjects including at least one preferred subject.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)

DDD
DDD in the BTEC Extended Diploma

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)

DD
DD in BTEC Diploma plus A in A-level subject DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in a preferred A-Level subject.

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)

D
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A A from 2 A-level subjects or D in the Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from 2 A-level subjects including at least one preferred subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34 points
Typical offers : Pass with an overall minimum score of 34 points to include a minimum of 17 points at a higher level or Pass with an overall minimum score of 32 points to include a minimum of 16 points at a higher level if one or more preferred subjects* are included at Higher level. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

B
AA from two A levels and Grade B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Extended Project

A
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, your offer will be: ABB and Grade A in the EPQ, if no preferred subjects are included or BBB and Grade A in the EPQ, if one or more preferred subjects are included.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H2
Typical Offers: H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 or H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 if one or more preferred subjects are included. Plus English and Maths Ordinary Level O4 or higher.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3, D3, M2
Typical offers : D3 D3 M2 or D3 M2 M2 if one or more preferred subjects* are included Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer , where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A.

T Level

D
An overall distinction with grade A in the core element in the Science T-Level

GCSE :Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C).

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component below 6.0
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Most of the students who enrolled on this course in previous years met their offer conditions at our published entry criteria, securing their place on their chosen course. We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£29400Year 1
International£29400Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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