Geography
UCAS code L700
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
Globalisation, geopolitics, population change, and sustainability are amongst the largest challenges confronting society in the 21st century. Our Geography BA (Hons) course helps you to understand these issues and the ways in which they shape the world.
Introduction
Geography offers unique insights into many of the most pressing issues facing the world in the 21st century, such as globalisation, geopolitics, climate change, sustainability, health, economics, population, hazards, pollution, and natural resource management.
Our Geography BA (Hons) course helps you develop expert knowledge and skills to interrogate the range of different approaches to, and perspectives on, these issues, as well as the ability to understand how they interact.
The University of Liverpool is home to one of the longest established Geography departments in the world, with courses on offer since 1886. Our expertise in human geography spans population and migration, health, geodemographics, GIS, environmental economics, social and cultural change, urban and rural geographies, as well as political and environmental activism.
Students on this course often choose human geography-oriented modules, and the core modules for this degree are focused on this area. However, you also have the option to also take physical geography modules. Maintaining a balance between the two areas of geography is an option many of our students pursue. You can also take up to two 15-credit modules per year from other subjects so you can maintain an interest in another discipline as part of your geography degree. We will guide you in your module choice to ensure that you choose modules that complement each other and follow a pathway that will help you to gain skills and knowledge relevant to your future career.
From your first week to your final year, field classes are an integral part of your learning. Destinations are subject to change but have included: a European city and closer to home, cities such as Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, as well as the Lake District and mid-Wales. There is also the opportunity to undertake final year dissertation fieldwork abroad.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. Fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
What you'll learn
- Shape your learning with options in physical geography and other disciplines
- High levels of field-based learning
- An emphasis on active, problem-based learning (‘learning by doing’)
- Hands-on experience of cutting-edge laboratory technologies in physical geography
- Innovative GIS, statistical and qualitative research methodologies, and community consultation in human geography
- A final year independent research-based dissertation supervised by a dedicated expert in the field.
Accreditation
The Geography BA (Hons) programme is accredited by the Royal Geographic Society with IBG.
Accreditation in detail
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is the UK's learned society and professional body for geography.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
All students take core modules in year one, which introduce you to the breadth of the subject, and the key ideas which inform the rest of the course. You can also choose optional modules from within human and physical geography, or from other disciplines.
Students will take the following compulsory modules and choose two optional modules as detailed below.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
Skills development is a central part of the course in year two, with core modules in research skills, exploring the social world, principles and theory in geography, and a field class. You can then choose additional modules from a range of human geography specialisms. You also have the flexibility to choose physical geography modules along with options from outside the discipline.
Students will take the following compulsory modules and choose four optional modules as detailed below.
Students MUST choose ONE of either ENVS282 Field Class (Belfast), ENVS286 Field Class (Edinburgh), ENVS288 Field Class (Glasgow).
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| PRINCIPLES AND THEORY IN GEOGRAPHY (ENVS249) | 15 |
| RESEARCH SKILLS AND EMPLOYABILITY (ENVS203) | 15 |
| EXPLORING THE SOCIAL WORLD (ENVS225) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
In year three, you will complete an independent dissertation, which brings together the skills and techniques you have learned in the degree to produce your own piece of academic research. Amongst several specialist human geography modules in year three, there are opportunities for overseas field study in destinations.
Students will select one compulsory dissertation module and choose six (four if taking an optional field class) optional module as detailed below.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| DISSERTATION (GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE) (ENVS321) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
To help you meet the intellectual and practical challenges of studying geography, our programmes are taught using a student centred approach, involving a range of learning experiences. These include:
- Small tutor groups (typically eight students) through all years
- High levels of field-based learning within the UK and abroad
- An emphasis on active, problem-based learning (‘learning by doing’)
- Hands-on experience of cutting-edge laboratory technologies in physical geography
- Innovative GIS, statistical and qualitative research methodologies and community consultation in human geography
- Supervised independent and group project work, including (for Single Honours degrees) a final year independent research-based dissertation supervised by a dedicated expert in the field.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and fieldwork. The fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective students with disabilities on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
How you're assessed
Assessments are designed around developing skills and styles of communication that will be relevant to future employers. So, in addition to exams and essays, you will also undertake assessments that include computer-based exercises, oral presentations, policy briefs, field projects, and research reports. Geography students complete a compulsory 10,000-word dissertation in their final year on a topic of their choice. This is your opportunity to develop skills as an independent academic researcher, supported on a one-to-one basis by an expert in the field.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus grade B at A level; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus grade BB at A level. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level. |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Semester abroad
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Year in industry
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
- Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
- Experience and understand workplace culture and discipline
- Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
- Begin your professional network
- Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
Day-to-day teaching takes place in the Central Teaching Laboratory (CTL) and Roxby Building. The CTL houses industry-standard equipment, including one of the few staffed map collections in the country, containing over 100,000 maps, 600 atlases, and access to digital data. Your course will be delivered by the Department of Geography and Planning.
Explore where you'll study
Geography Promotional Video
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
A day in the life of Geography student Aidan
Careers and employability
Geography is a subject that bridges the social and physical sciences. Those studying geography develop transferable knowledge and skills which open up a wide range of career opportunities.
By the time you graduate you will have developed core research skills in human geography, including surveying, interviewing and innovative community liaison techniques stand students in good stead for a range of employment destinations.
You can explore the following work experience opportunities:
- Internships during the course of their degree
- Work-based dissertation – which combines the final year independent research project with a placement in industry.
Students can also continue their studies at postgraduate level and PhD study with opportunities to apply for funding from a range of organisations, including the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) and NERC (Natural Environment Research Council). Geography is a subject that bridges the social and physical sciences. Those studying geography develop transferable knowledge and skills which open up a wide range of career opportunities.
Work experience opportunities
We encourage students to undertake work experience and internships during the course of their degree. Our students can also select a work-based dissertation, which combines the final year independent research project with a placement in industry.