Geography BSc Honours
Newcastle University Undergraduate programs
Key Information
Campus location
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 22,200 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* international students; GBP 9,250 - home students
Introduction
This flexible Geography degree, accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, equips you with the specialist skills needed to address real global challenges.
Our BSc Geography degree explores the natural environment and the key challenges we face in moving towards a more sustainable world.
This flexible degree is informed by the research of our world-leading academics and spans the breadth of the discipline. You don’t need to decide between human and physical geography and can tailor your degree to your interests. This enables you to become a specialist in your chosen field or remain active across the Geographic terrain.
You can select from dozens of Geography modules. These range from Glacial Environments, and River Catchment Dynamics, to Geographies of Sustainable Production and Consumption, and Global Environmental Change.
Professional accreditation and recognition
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
This degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degrees contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare you to address the needs of the world beyond higher education.
Work placement
Get career ready with work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend semester 2 of Stage 2 or semester 1 of Stage 3 on an international exchange at a partner institution.
Rankings
- Global Top 125 University - QS World University Rankings 2023
- Top 50 for Geography - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
- Top 150 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- Global Top 140 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Curriculum
Stage 1
During Stage 1 we will help you to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to succeed in Stages 2 and 3 of your degree. You'll also be introduced to key geographical research and the global challenges of the 21st century.
Compulsory Modules
- Interconnected World 20
- Geographical Analysis 20
- Introduction to Physical Geography 20
- Geographical Skills 20
Optional Modules
- Introduction to Archaeological Science 20
- Geographic Information Systems 10
- Principles of Remote Sensing 10
- Environmental Issues 20
- Human Geographies of the UK 20
- Physical Geography Field Course 20
- Key Concepts in International Politics 20
- Comparing Cultures 20
- Level A (HE Entry Level) Spanish I 20
- Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish 20
Stage 2
In Stage 2 you have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests. You'll study modules in advanced research techniques and key methods. Your remaining topics will be optional, giving you the chance to engage with our cutting-edge research in areas that interest you the most.
You will also have a choice of destinations for your Stage 2 residential field course.
Compulsory modules
If you're following a primarily Human Geography pathway you take the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):
- Key Methods for Human Geographers (20 credits)
- Doing Human Geography Research: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
If you're following a primarily Physical Geography pathway you take the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):
- Doing Physical Geography Research: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
- Key Methods for Physical Geographers (20 credits)
Optional Modules
- Animals, Plants and People: an Introduction to Environmental Archaeology 20
- Geographic Information Systems 10
- Geological Resources 10
- Key Methods for Human Geographers 20
- Political Geography 20
- Economic Geography 20
- Development & Globalisation 20
- Social Geographies 20
- Doing Human Geography Research: Theory and Practice 20
- Student Exchange Semester 2 50
- Doing Physical Geography Research: Theory and Practice 20
- Global Environmental Change 20
- Key Methods for Physical Geographers 20
- Community Volunteering: A Geography Perspective 20
- Glacial Environments 20
- Biogeography 20
- River Catchment Dynamics 20
- Career Development for second-year students 20
- Government and Politics of the USA 20
- Political Violence and the Modern State 20
Stage 3
In Stage 3 you will have a wide choice of optional modules that are directly linked to the research work of our staff.
You will also undertake your dissertation research project: a major piece of independent research, based on your interests, led by you with support from a dedicated academic mentor.
Compulsory modules
You take the following compulsory module (except if you're taking Dissertation for Study Abroad Students) (shown in the optional list below):
- Dissertation (40 credits)
If you're taking Student Exchange Semester 1, you take the compulsory module (shown in the optional list below):
- Dissertation for Study Abroad Students (40 credits)
Optional Modules
- Physical Geography Field course 2: Iceland 20
- Social experiments, diverse economies: Copenhagen Field Course 20
- The creative and knowledge-based economy: Berlin field course 20
- Fieldwork at Home 20
- Exploring Everyday Political Geographies in a Divided City: Nicosia Field Course 20
- Geography Fieldtrip for Module Pre-Registration 20
- City of Crisis, City of Hope: Amsterdam Field course 20
- Humans vs Nature in the Netherlands (Netherlands Field course) 20
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Field Course 20
- Class, Race & Nation in Comparative Context: Ireland Human Geography Field Course 20
- Dissertation for Study Abroad Students 40
- Dissertation 40
- Geopolitics 20
- Geographies of Money 20
- Local and Regional Development 20
- Student Exchange Semester 1 40
- Polar Environments 20
- Mapping the City 20
- Community Volunteering: A Geography Perspective 20
- Landslides and coasts 20
- Applied Fluvial Geomorphology 20
- Geographies of Race and Nation 20
- Geographies of Sustainable Production and Consumption 20
- Humanitarianism and Health Inequalities 20
- Career Development for final year students 20
Student Testimonials
Career Opportunities
Join a network of successful graduates
100% of our Geography BSc Honours graduates were employed or in further study within 6 months of graduating, with an average salary of £21,230*.
Recent graduates have secured roles such as:
- engineer
- flood risk modeller
- auditor
- trainee stock exchange broker
*Destinations of (undergraduate, UK and EU) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17
Graduates in demand
Our graduates’ excellent employment record is a sign of the flexibility and professionalism that our geography degrees develop.
You will leave with sought-after skills, including teamwork, project management, research and presentation skills, and therefore will have access to a wide variety of careers.
A Geography degree from Newcastle will ensure you develop the skills that employers look for and can open the doors to a wide range of careers. Our graduates have been recruited by a variety of organisations, including:
- the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
- the Environment Agency
- independent and major scientific consultancies
- Raleigh International
- the Armed Forces
- the NHS
- local government
- financial services firms
Admissions
Gallery
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program Outcome
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
This degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degrees contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare you to address the needs of the world beyond higher education.
Program Tuition Fee
Program delivery
Our geography courses involve a high level of staff and student interaction, including:
- tutorials
- lectures
- laboratory work
- seminars
- fieldwork