Geography and Planning
UCAS code L7K4
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
Studying Geography and Planning will help you to look and think about the world differently. It offers a unique insight into how our towns, cities and rural areas develop, and how you can support these changes. Our Geography and Planning BA (Hons) programme blends the problem-solving nature of our planning degrees with an understanding of geographical concepts and processes that shape our knowledge of the world around us. With a pioneering approach to planning and regeneration, Liverpool is an ideal location to study how our world in changing.
Introduction
Our Geography and Planning BA programme draws equally from both disciplines, with some flexibility to enable the inclusion of optional sociology modules, offering an interdisciplinary and varied degree programme.
The programme provides you with knowledge of the challenges facing modern society, the means to interpret diverse phenomena, and an understanding of the conceptual and philosophical arguments surrounding human interactions with the environment.
Students are supported to acquire and enhance their oral, written, and visual communication skills and engage in group-based problem solving and practical work, gaining skills that are readily transferable to the workplace.
Residential field classes are an integral part of the degree programme.
This course was designed as part of a suite of strongly-related programmes, and core modules in years one and two are shared between Planning programmes and Geography BA (Hons). This allows students to transfer between these courses in the first two years of study should their interests or career aspirations change.
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
- World’s first planning school, founded in 1909
- Fieldwork opportunities internationally, and closer to home
- Excellent employer links
- Interdisciplinary courses maximise research links with the departments of Geography, Sociology, and Environmental Science
- Award-winning learning environment.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
The first year of study introduces you to the foundations of both geography and planning, covering a number of key issues in geography including climate change, globalisation, and sustainability and the fundamental features of the UK planning system, and an awareness of the broad social, economic and environmental context in which contemporary planning issues arise. You will be supported to acquire and enhance your oral, written and visual communication skills and engage in group-based problem solving and practical work, gaining skills that are readily transferable to the workplace. A field day early in the first semester enables you to begin applying your learning to a real life setting straight away.
Students will take the following compulsory modules and select one optional module detailed below.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
In year two, principles, theory and skill levels are central components of our teaching to enable you to develop and engage deeply with module material. For example, you will gain further understanding of geographic theory, social statistics, strategic planning and place making. You will also have a choice of field classes in various locations in the UK. You also continue to develop critical thinking and communication skills to enable you to analyse material and communicate ideas effectively. Project work also enables you to develop an awareness of the methodological and spatial design issues that arise in the development of planning schemes.
Students will take the following compulsory modules, one field class optional module, one geography optional module and one planning optional module.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
Year three offers you flexibility and choice to tailor your degree to your interests and developing expertise in both geography and planning. You are able to select modules that challenge you, enable you to explore areas of specialist knowledge and develop previous learning, as well as continue to develop your analytical, communication and research skills. You will also complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice and you have multiple field class options to choose from.
Students select one required dissertation module, one required field class module and a further two Geography and two Planning optional modules.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Planning education has an important vocational focus and in Liverpool we consider a real-world connection to be extremely important. Our students gain a broad understanding of planning, from the ways in which towns and cities have evolved and are being reshaped to meet the challenges of the 21st century to the effects of planning on the environment and planning’s role in urban regeneration.
To do this we have designed varied programmes of study with a range of teaching styles. You will ‘learn by doing’ through place-based projects and field classes as well as be introduced to real-life examples from around the world.
Our courses also include specialised training in geographic information systems, mapping, and urban design. Together these approaches ensure that you gain valuable transferable skills whilst studying with us.
Please note: 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 disabled students 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, poster presentations, field projects, research reports, design work, group work, seminar presentations and papers. Students complete a compulsory dissertation or project module in the final year on a topic of your 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
The Department of Geography and Planning forms part of our School of Environmental Sciences and is based in the Roxby building. Teaching will take place here and in a number of other world-leading facilities that have benefitted from a £1.38million investment.
Explore where you'll study
Geography Promotional Video
Planning 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.
Careers and employability
Our Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment accredited programme ensures that you are fully qualified to enter this dynamic profession on graduation. This interdisciplinary course has a strong vocational focus, preparing Liverpool graduates for a wide range of planning careers.
If you wish to continue your education beyond your undergraduate degree we also offer a range of postgraduate degrees, including our RTPI accredited Master of Civic Design.
We also offer a series of specialist postgraduate programmes including:
- MA Housing and Community Planning (RTPI accredited)
- Urban Design and Planning MCD (RTPI accredited)
- MA Sustainable Urban Planning
- Further PhD study.
Career paths taken by our recent graduates include:
- Planning and environmental consultants
- Transport planning and urban regeneration
- Economic development
- Environmental management
- GIS and data science specialists
- Social housing
Our recent graduates have found employment with the following:
- Consultancy: Atkins, Arup, Indigo, Savills
- Local Authority: Islington Borough Council, Lancashire County Council
- Public bodies: Transport for London (TFL), Natural England, Environment Agency, National Parks Authorities
- Non-governmental organisations: Liverpool Vision, Council for the Protection of Rural England, RSPB
- Advocacy: Housing associations, social enterprise, economic development.