| UCAS code | F807 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Geography |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB - BBC Prof. Placement/Study Abroad: |
| UCAS code | F8D8 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Geography |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| UCAS code | F8D7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Geography |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
Overview
- Explore key global challenges of the 21st century by examining both human and physical issues and, importantly, the connections between the two
- Gain an appreciation of global challenges from multiple perspectives with an understanding of the interactions between people, places and events
- Highly flexible programme offers an innovative, contemporary and holistic approach to Geography
- Your choice of dissertation topic and selection of modules will determine whether you graduate with a BA or a BSc
- Hands-on fieldwork is an integral part of all our programmes, with options in the South West and further afield
Top 30 in the world for Geography
QS World University Subject Rankings 2023
Top 10 in the UK for Geography and Environmental Science
8th in The Complete University Guide 2024
Spend a year studying abroad or on a professional placement
Field courses available in each year of study
The biggest highlight of my course so far was the field trip to West Penwith*, as I built close relationships with my course mates. We shared lots of joy and fun together, and applied the knowledge gained through lecture-based modules to real situations in Cornwall.
My favourite part of the programme has been the module about climate change, as it delivers lots of information about how human activities have impacted global warming and the potential solutions. I also really like the diverse range of teaching styles, the helpful lecturers and how friendly the university is to international students.
I finished the INTO Foundation Programme at the Streatham Campus last year and found everyone really friendly. Also, the University of Exeter is recognised as a top-notch institution with highly-ranked research and excellent teaching.
The Penryn Campus is like a small community with lots of nice and friendly students and teachers. The environment on campus is amazing. We are surrounded by aesthetic landscapes and lots of green spaces. I feel like I belong to the campus. I am a member of the FXU Basketball Club, the FXU Christian Union and the Geography Society.
My group explored the relationships between the Cornish landscape and Cornish society. I learnt valuable techniques that I can use in my future career, such as collecting data and analysing it in order to produce reliable findings. It was a wonderful experience to work in the field and apply what I have learnt in the lectures.
After I have graduated, I think I will study a master's degree here at Exeter. I am considering an MSc in Climate Change, or an MA in International Development.
*Field course destinations are subject to change.
Read more from Marky, from Hong Kong
Marky, from Hong Kong
BA/BSc Geography
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAB - ABB
AAA - AAB (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
No required subjects |
| IB | 34/665 - 32/655
36/666 - 34/665 (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
No required subjects |
| BTEC | DDM
DDM (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
No required subjects |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade - 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade.
30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
No required subjects |
| T-Level | Distinction | T-level in Design and Development for Engineering & Manufacturing OR Agriculture, Land Management & Production only. |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBB - BBC Prof. Placement/Study Abroad: |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Course content
This programme will broaden your horizons by breaking down the barriers between disciplines to allow you to gain a holistic understanding of the interactions between people, places, and events. You will also have the flexibility to engage with specific human and/or physical geography topics as part of your degree.
The structure encourages you to pursue the topics that fascinate and capture your imagination. Following a first year of interdisciplinary modules that tackle broad issues, you can tailor your degree by choosing a thematic route through a series of more specialist modules in the second and final years. In essence, this exciting approach combines an all-round training in geography with the flexibility to graduate with either a BA or BSc degree, depending on your choice of optional modules.
This year comprises modules that examine modern challenges – from local landscape evolution to global environmental change – from multiple geographical perspectives. It provides you with an excellent foundation, ensuring you develop the relevant skills and knowledge to progress your studies in subsequent years.
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO1401B | Approaches to Geographical Knowledge | 15 |
| GEO1405B | Earth System Science | 15 |
| GEO1413 | The Geography of Cornwall | 15 |
| GEO1414 | Geography Tutorials | 15 |
| GEO1418 | Granite Landscapes and Society | 15 |
| GEO1419 | Introduction to data science | 15 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GeoP S1 BA-BSc Geog opt 2021-2 | ||
| GEO1420 | Atmospheric and Oceanic Systems, Their Interactions and Importance | 15 |
| BIO1431 | Introduction to Human Sciences | 15 |
| HIC1306 | World History: Globalisation | 15 |
| LAW1016C | A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection | 15 |
| POC1021 | Key Concepts in Politics and International Relations | 15 |
| POC1026 | Power, Inequality and Global Justice | 15 |
| TRU1113 | Literature and the History of Ideas | 30 |
| GEO1408B | Global Issues in Environmental Science | 15 |
| HIC1305 | World History: Science, Environment and Sustainability | 15 |
Build on what you have learnt in your first year and continue to study some core integrated modules. You will also have the opportunity to take specific human and/or physical geography modules, enabling you to start tailoring your studies to suit your developing interests. Year 2 also includes a residential trip to the Isles of Scilly.
45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules
b You may not take GEO2449 and LES2002 in the same academic year.
c The field course module, GEO2460 is compulsory. If you are unable to take the field course, you will be required to take another optional module.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO2460 | Environment and Sustainability on the Isles of Scilly [See note c above] | 15 |
| GEO2461 | Second Year Tutorials | 15 |
| GEO2462 | Research Design and Methods | 15 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GeoP S2 BA-BSc Geog opt 2021-2 | ||
| BIO2451 | Evolution of Human Societies | 15 |
| GEO2440 | Geographical Information Science and Systems | 15 |
| GEO2441 | Remote Sensing for Environmental Management | 15 |
| GEO2442 | The Politics of Climate Change and Energy | 15 |
| GEO2444 | Landscape Evolution | 15 |
| GEO2445 | Rural Social Issues | 15 |
| GEO2450 | Biogeography | 15 |
| GEO2451 | Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans | 15 |
| GEO2454 | Waste and Society | 15 |
| GEO2457 | Physical Ocean Processes | 15 |
| GEO2458 | People and Nature | 15 |
| LAW2016C | Environmental Regulation and Redress | 15 |
| GEO2456 | Social and Cultural Geographies | 15 |
| POC2120 | Power and Democracy | 15 |
| POC2114 | Green Politics in Theory and Practice | 15 |
| POC2108 | Political Geographies: Local to Global | 15 |
| POC2123 | Politics of the Middle East | 15 |
| ECE2001 | Oceans and Human Health | 15 |
| ECE2002 | Health, Place and Wellbeing | 15 |
| GeoP Employability opt 2021-2 [See note b above] | ||
| GEO2449 | Green Consultants | 15 |
| LES2002 | Workplace Learning | 15 |
Find out more about study abroad or a professional placement under Course variants.
with Professional Placement
120 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO3324 | Professional Placement | 120 |
with Study Abroad
120 credits of compulsory modules
For your year abroad you will agree a suite of modules in your host institution with the College Study Abroad Coordinator. Details of individual modules that may be taken whilst abroad can be found by accessing the partner institution’s factfile at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/international/abroad/exchange/where/ and navigating to the “Course Requirements” section of that factfile where a link to the modules on offer in the partner institution is displayed.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO3508 | One Year Study Abroad | 120 |
A significant focus in your final year is the research-led dissertation, for which you will receive individual supervision from an expert in your chosen field. You will also choose optional modules from a selection covering both human and physical geography specialisms aligned to the research expertise of our academics. Another highlight is the residential field course, where you will be immersed in a new environment and taught how to understand its environmental and cultural challenges from multiple geographical perspectives.
45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules (you will have the option of taking a field course in your final stage but the location has not yet been finalised)
b You may not take GEO2449 and LES2002 in the same academic year. Additionally,
d You must choose one of the two Dissertation modules. To exit with the award BSc (Hons) you must select GEO3439 and to exit with the award of BA (Hons) you must select GEO3438. Changes to your dissertation topic and to your choice of award (ie BA or BSc) will not be possible beyond 1 December in the final stage.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO3439 | BSc Dissertation in Geography [See note d above] | 40 |
| GEO3438 | BA Dissertation in Geography [See note d above] | 40 |
| GEO3471 | Preparing to Graduate | 5 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GeoP SF BA-BSc Geog opt 2021-2 | ||
| GEO3437B | Climate Change and Society | 15 |
| BIO3428 | The Complexity of Human Societies | 15 |
| GEO3448 | Quaternary Environmental Change | 15 |
| GEO3452 | Literature Review in Environment and Society | 15 |
| GEO3454 | Antarctica: Science from a Frozen Continent | 15 |
| GEO3455 | Marine Climate and Environmental Change | 15 |
| GEO3457 | Geographies of Democracy | 15 |
| GEO3458 | Marine and Coastal Sustainability | 15 |
| GEO3461 | Arctic Frontiers: Can We Preserve the Arctic Environment? | 15 |
| GEO3466 | Biological Oceanography | 15 |
| GEO3467 | Human-Animal Interactions | 15 |
| LAW3016C | Legal Response to Environmental Destruction | 15 |
| BIO3434 | Major Transitions in Evolutionary History | 15 |
| BIO3135 | Human Behavioural Ecology | 15 |
| POC3107 | The Politics of Statelessness | 15 |
| POC3117 | The Politics of Climate Change | 15 |
| POC3129 | The Far Right in Europe | 15 |
| GEO3469 | Catastropolis | 15 |
| ECE3001 | Living with Environmental Change | 15 |
| ECE3002 | Frontiers of Global Health | 15 |
| GeoP Employability opt 2021-2 [See note b above] | ||
| GEO2449 | Green Consultants | 15 |
| LES2002 | Workplace Learning | 15 |
Course variants
UCAS code: F8D8
Why choose a professional placement year?
In your professional placement year you will learn to apply the knowledge learnt during your first and second years, improve personal and transferable skills, make new contacts and enhance your employability. Work placements allow you to gain experience of a professional workplace prior to graduating and develop your career focus, and are extremely valued by employers.
Where can I do my placement?
On the professional placement between your second and final years, you will gain valuable experience by spending a year working within an organisation appropriate to your degree. We have established collaborations with local, national and international organisations that you can consider when applying for placement positions.
Previous students have undertaken work placements at:
- Echo Foundation
- Field Studies Council
- JBA Consulting
- Office for National Statistics
- Schaeffler Group
- Wild Planet Trust
What support is available during my placement?
The module convenor provides support while you are researching and applying for positions and you are encouraged to consider a range of organisations, including consultancies, charities, NGOs, research institutes and universities.
Does it count towards my degree?
The professional placement year counts towards your degree through the completion of your placement and associated coursework. It contributes to your final degree classification, and the words ‘with Professional Placement’ will appear in your degree title.
How does it affect my tuition fee?
If you spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK or abroad) you will pay a reduced fee. Find out more in the fees section.
How do I apply?
You can apply to BA/BSc Geography with Professional Placement directly through UCAS using the code above.
How are the placements organised?
You are responsible for organising your own placement; however, we have established collaborations with local, national and international organisations that you can consider when applying for placement positions.
UCAS code: F8D7
Why study abroad?
Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all qualities employers are looking for.
Where can I study abroad?
On this four-year variant of the BA/BSc Geography degree you will spend your third year at one of our international exchange partner universities in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, China or Japan.
You can find a complete list of International Exchange partner universities on the Study Abroad website.
What will I study whilst I am abroad?
Whilst abroad you will study approved modules at the host university equivalent to 120 Exeter credits; these will be credited towards your degree, which you would then complete after four years of study rather than three.
Does it count towards my degree?
Yes: your work during the year abroad is assessed and contributes to your final degree classification. The words ‘with Study Abroad’ will appear in your degree title and be recorded on your degree certificate.
During your first, second and final years of study, you will follow the same programme of study as the BA/BSc Geography (see Course content).
How does it affect my tuition fee?
If you spend a full academic year studying abroad you will pay a reduced fee for that year. Find out more in the fees section.
How do I apply?
You can apply directly to this programme through UCAS using the code above. To be eligible for a Study Abroad place, we would expect you to successfully complete your Year 1 studies with an average mark of at least 60%.
Occasionally it is possible to transfer onto this programme from the standard BA/BSc Geography course in your second year, if you have appropriate language skills and have achieved a mark of 60% or more in year 1.
Further information
For further information on where you can go and all topics surrounding study abroad, see the Study Abroad website.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an integral part of your degree, and crucial to our teaching in Geography.
Cornwall is an exceptional place in which to study issues related to the environment and sustainability. It is a perfect living laboratory which offers a diverse range of marine and terrestrial habitats, a wealth of natural resources, and creative and resilient communities. Throughout your first year, local field trips will provide a comprehensive introduction to physical and human aspects of the region.
In Year 2 you will undertake a week-long residential field course on the Isles of Scilly*. It will enable you to develop the conceptual, analytical and practical research skills necessary for you to carry out independent research work.
Cornwall has an incredible diversity of cultural, ecological and physical landscapes, and the wider region has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a high density of conservation areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It has been recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) containing some of Britain's finest coastal scenery, including Land's End and the Lizard peninsula, and provides a perfect setting for geographical exploration.
During the residential field course in the third year (destination to be confirmed) you will be immersed in the scientific, environmental and cultural geography of a completely new landscape.
We also make the most of our location in the South West of England, organising a range of day trips each year as part of modules. These provide fantastic opportunities to study distinctive human and physical processes.
» Find out more about our Geography field courses
*Field course destinations are subject to change. Some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2024 entry
UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £29,700 per year
Year abroad
If you choose the four-year version of this degree programme and spend a full academic year studying abroad, you will pay a reduced fee of 15 per cent of the maximum fee for that year.
Professional placement year
If you choose the four-year version of this degree programme and spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK or abroad) you will pay a reduced fee of 20 per cent of the maximum fee for that year.
Fieldwork
Please note, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. When participating in field courses, you will be required to cover any visa costs and, if necessary, purchase anti-malarial medication and relevant immunisations. You may also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination. You may incur additional costs depending on the specific demands of the research project chosen.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Learning and teaching
Where will I study?
At the Penryn Campus in Cornwall you will be welcomed into an intimate and supportive learning environment that encourages enthusiasm and passion for Geography, and promotes interest in the global challenges geographers seek to address. You will benefit from a welcoming atmosphere, excellent student-to-staff ratios, small group tutorials and friendly, accessible staff. Research undertaken at the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) – which leads research into various aspects of the relationship between people and the environment – inspires much of the teaching in Geography.
How will I learn?
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials and small group discussion meetings
- Field Work
- Laboratory sessions
- Independent study
- Access to the latest geographical information systems (GIS), mapping statistics and coding software
- Interactive computer-based approaches to learning through our virtual learning environment
- Access to detailed information about modules and learning outcomes and interact through activities such as the discussion forums, blogging and virtual field trips
- Virtual field trips which integrate video and audio data, maps, datasets, documents and published research
Learn from experts
We believe every student benefits from being part of a research-inspired culture. You will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials and be taught by expert staff who are actively engaged in research on a wide range of specialisms, including climate change, remote sensing, landscape evolution, energy policy, environment and sustainability, social innovation and cultural landscapes. Teaching and research activities emphasise the value of holistic thinking – looking beyond traditional boundaries to the complex interactions between human societies and non-human environments.
We have strong links with research projects across every continent of the globe from Antarctica to Asia.
Assessment
Your progress is monitored through tutorial work and practical assessments. The final degree mark is based on a combination of exam-based and coursework-based assessments (see table above). The modules taken in Year 1 must be passed to progress to Year 2, but the marks obtained do not influence your final degree classification.
Your final year dissertation is an independent research project in which you study the topic that excites you most, with expert supervision and support.
Taking modules outside of your programme
Depending on your programme you can take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a foreign language
You can boost your employability by using up to 30 credits each year to study a foreign language. If you study the language for more than one year you may be entitled to have ‘with proficiency in’ added to your degree certificate. The Foreign Language Centre will be offering modules in French and Spanish language from complete beginners up to advanced levels, plus German and Mandarin Chinese from beginner’s level.
If you achieve at least 60 credits in a language via our Foreign Language Centre you may be able to have the words ‘with proficiency in’ and the language added to your degree title.
Further details can be found on the Foreign Language Centre web pages.
Proficiency in Law
Students on this course are now able to add ‘with proficiency in Law’ to their degree title, by gaining a strand of additional legal knowledge and skills that adds value to their degree.
The ‘With proficiency in Law’ modules being offered to non-law students provide a theoretical and technical basis for understanding the regulatory and legal frameworks that you might encounter within your main field of study. These modules lend themselves strongly to students wishing to develop their skillset to work across the environment and sustainability sector and in wider business.
If you accrue at least 60 credits in elective law modules you will have ‘with proficiency in Law’ added to your degree title.
Academic support
As well as a minimum of 10 hours of direct contact time with your lecturers per week in your first year, all students have a personal and academic tutor who is available for advice and support throughout their studies and to support the transition to university-level learning. In addition, all students are represented through Student-Staff Liaison Committees and can regularly feedback through module and course evaluations.
You will have the opportunity to participate in a Student Mentoring Scheme in Year 1, matching you with a Year 2 or Year 3 student who can answer your questions, offer advice and moral support to smooth your transition to university.
Facilities
We have a large variety of equipment that can be used on student research projects. These include a wide range of devices to assess soil, water and air conditions and a cutting edge handheld XRF analyser to directly measure heavy metal concentrations in soil and river sediment. Digital media such as iPads, cameras and voice recorders are also available.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.
- A Foreign Language
- Law
- Social Data Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
Students studying Geography develop both a depth and breadth of knowledge, skills and experiences that make them highly employable across a diverse range of careers.
These skills include:
- Data gathering
- Information retrieval
- Problem solving
- Project planning and management
- Organising and communicating information
- Report production and presentation (written and oral)
- Plus the ability to work effectively on your own and as part of a team.
Supporting your career in Geography
We put on a range of employability sessions for students which include:
- career talks with visiting alumni and employers from a range of backgrounds,
- career conversations and employability seminar series events with employers,
- a Careers in Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection Careers and Networking event
- visits to the Met Office and UKHO
- an annual Careers Fair
- and opportunities to access high-quality work placements through an employability optional module.
Careers services
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
The University of Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters and our students and graduates compete very successfully in the employment market. Whatever path you wish to follow, we’re here to help and support you with all your career and employability needs.
Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Ambassador Scheme
You will have the opportunity to apply for the RGS Ambassador Scheme. The scheme recruits, trains and supports geographers currently at university and graduate geographers from the workplace to act as ambassadors for geography in the classroom. Ambassadors act as positive role models for pupils and can illustrate, with enthusiasm, both the specific and transferable skills they have developed as a geographer. For more information you can visit the RGS Ambassador Scheme website.
Career paths
The breadth of career opportunities open to Geography graduates is vast, with recent graduates starting careers in planning, environmental and sustainability projects, water analysis, insurance, teaching and more – both in the UK and overseas.
Whatever you choose to do after graduation, your Geography degree will stand you in good stead, with excellent employment prospects and transferable skills.
Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates from our Geography undergraduate programmes*.
Recent graduates are now working as:
- Chartered and certified accountants
- Business and related research professionals
- Data analysts
- Brokers
- Property, housing and estate managers
- Marketing associate professionals
- Estimators, valuers and assessors
- Project support officers
- Primary and secondary education teaching professionals
- Information technology professionals
Recent graduates are now working for:
- Babcock International
- BNP Paribas
- Centrica
- Environment Agency
- Ernst & Young
- European Space Agency
- NHS
- Ordnance Survey
- Oxborough Surveyors LLP
- Skanska
- UK Hydrographic Office
Further study
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from a Geography undergraduate degree. Below are a few examples of further study undertaken by recent graduates of undergraduate programmes*.
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MA Quantity Surveying
- MRes Sustainable Development
- MSc Environmental Consultancy
- MSc Flood and Coastal Engineering
- MSc Geospatial Sciences
- MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies
- MSc Management
- MSc Public Health
- MSc Rural Land and Business Management
- MSc Transport and Planning
*This information has been taken from aggregating the responses from full-time, first degree, UK domiciled students who completed 2017/18 and 2018/19 Graduate Outcomes surveys. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
