Course summary

The way that the earth behaves as a system results from interactions between the land, the oceans and the atmosphere. Complex issues such as climate change, sea level rise and environmental pollution can only be fully understood if all the different facets of the earth’s behaviour are considered. While the ocean sciences deal with present day and future climate change scenarios, the link to physical geography provides an understanding of changes in climate over the last several thousand years to provide context for recent climate change. This was the first UK university programme to combine land, ocean and climate studies in an integrated programme of study. Your training will cover core topics in oceanography, physical geography, geology and ecology as well as modules in IT and communication skills. There will be the opportunity to participate in field/project work throughout the course of your studies, as well as a full sea practical during your final year. Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre in Liverpool provide guest lectures and supervision of projects. Students without mathematics, physics or chemistry at A level are provided with remedial courses. The degree in Geography and Oceanography at Liverpool is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. This programme is available with either a Year in China or a Year Abroad. The Year in China offers undergraduate students the opportunity to spend one year at our joint venture, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), following XJTLU's BA China Studies degree classes. XJTLU is a fully English-speaking university, located in Suzhou. The Year Abroad offers students the opportunity to spend a full academic year studying at one of our partner universities around the world, following a mixture of culture and/or discipline-related modules. If you wish to study this programme with a Year in China or a Year Abroad you will have the opportunity to apply after you arrive at Liverpool.