Course summary

Our Geography degree, ranked in the top 20 in the UK for Geography (Guardian League Table 2025) and accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, equips you with the knowledge and skills to tackle pressing global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and resource insecurity by offering a unique blend of hands-on learning, international experiences, and practical skills. Voted first for Learning Opportunities and Organisation and Management (NSS 2024), our course provides the opportunity to explore and understand the issues and environments you care about. At the University of Chester, our proximity to the natural, social and cultural landscapes on our doorstep enables us to incorporate fieldwork throughout our course so that you can explore key geographical issues first-hand. You’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in hands-on fieldwork in North Wales and gain international perspectives through opportunities in vibrant locations like Almeria (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), and Naples (Italy). In the field and in the classroom, you will develop essential transferable and technical skills including in GIS, remote sensing, big data analysis, social science research methods, critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills are extended at the end of Year 2 through formal workplace experience gained via a core work-based learning module. Our Geography BA/BSc (Hons) degree provides the ultimate flexibility. You can choose to maintain a combination of human and physical geography modules throughout your course, or you can specialise by selecting one of our named pathways in Human Geography, Physical Geography, or Natural Hazard Management, ensuring your course is completely aligned with your interests and career goals. At the end of your course, your final degree award is determined by your choice of pathway or the balance between human and physical modules - more human geography modules will lead to a BA, more physical geography modules will lead to a BSc. Whichever route you choose, you will be learning in an environment rated in the Top 10 in the UK for Academic Support, Assessment and Feedback, and Learning Resources (NSS 2024). With options for both BA and BSc awards, and the possibility of an optional Year Abroad or in Industry, you can shape your education to fit your ambitions and make a meaningful impact on the world. A specialist pathway is your opportunity to further tailor your studies to become an expert in your chosen field. Our pathways provide you with specific modules and opportunities to enable you to tailor your studies towards areas you are passionate about and to have that reflected in your degree title. When applying for this course with a specialist pathway, it is important to search for and submit your application for 'Geography BA/BSc (Hons)'. Your chosen pathway will be confirmed post-application and this will be the award that you complete your studies with ie. Geography (Human Geography) BA (Hons); Geography (Physical Geography) BSc (Hons); and Geography (Natural Hazard Management) BSc (Hons). If you choose to study this course without a pathway, your award on completion will be Geography BA or BSc (Hons), depending on the modules studied.