Geography BSc (Hons) (4 year route including a Foundation Year at Carmel College)

Due to the impact of COVID-19 we're changing how the course is delivered.

Interested in studying for a BSc (Hons) Geography degree, but feel that you lack the appropriate science background or have a non-standard academic background? Then here is a programme that’s been designed for you.

Your Foundation Year is spent at Carmel College, after which studies transfer to the main University site. The College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement that are moderated by University staff. For more information contact E: degree@carmel.ac.uk

Programme in detail

You will gain a solid grounding in a range of science subjects including geography and mathematics and will have a choice of chemistry, physics, information technology or biology modules.

On completing the Foundation Year, you will then choose modules from the Geography BSc (Hons) programme and be based at the main University campus with the option to transfer onto the following programmes:

Geology and Physical Geography BSc (Hons) (F6F8)
Geography BA (Hons) (L700)
Environmental Science BSc (Hons) (F750)
Geography BSc (Hons) (F800)
Geography and Oceanography BSc (Hons) (FF78)
Urban Planning BA (Hons) (K430)
Environment and Planning BA (Hons) (K4L7)
Geography and Planning BA (Hons) (L7K4)

Year by year

Your first year (Year Zero) is based at Carmel College, St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. The programme, which is moderated by University staff, comprises introductory modules in geography, mathematics and one module chosen from chemistry, physics, information technology and biology.

In Years Two, Three and Four you follow your chosen modules from the BSc Geography list on the main University campus.

Department Key Facts

Number of first year students

240 Year One Geography and Planning undergraduates 2018

Graduate prospects

95% of Geography and Planning graduates are employed or in further study six months after graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2016/17)

Degree results

95% of students graduated with a First Class or 2:1 degree in 2016

Why this subject?

Benefit from an award-winning learning environment

We have invested heavily in teaching facilities, including the £23 million award-winning Central Teaching Laboratories (CTL). This state-of-the-art learning environment includes a dedicated laboratory and access to computing and flexible teaching spaces. The CTL houses much of our industry-standard equipment, providing a superb learning environment. Our Geographical Information Systems/Cartography suite houses a computing centre and is one of the few staffed map collections in the country, containing over 100,000 maps, 600 atlases and access to digital data.

Shape your degree with flexible programmes and choice of modules

Specialise in physical or human geography, or maintain a mixture throughout your degree.

RGS-accredited degree programmes

Our BA and BSc Geography programmes have been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), ensuring that our graduates have globally-relevant subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills to address the needs of the world beyond higher education.

Study a subject with relevance to the world now

From understanding climate change through the study of glacial retreat, to making our coastlines resilient to flooding, to highlighting the legacies of the colonial past, all of our academic staff are involved in research that relates to the shape of our world now. Our work is also informing contemporary debates through policy interventions.

Study in a city ideal for Geography

A vibrant and lively city, with a dynamic marine and coastal environment, Liverpool is the ideal place to study human and physical geography with socio-cultural, political and physical landscapes evident within the city-region itself.

Be part of a friendly and supportive community

Staff in the department are passionate lecturers, with teaching of equal importance to research. Academic staff at all levels are engaged in our range of teaching, including lectures, practical sessions and fieldwork.

Enhance your studies with fieldwork*

 From your first week to your final year, field classes are an integral part of your learning. Destinations include Santa Cruz (California), Toronto, Barcelona, Iceland, Lorca (Spain), Portugal 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 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.