Physical Geography at University of Southampton - UCAS

University of Southampton

Degree level: Undergraduate

Physical Geography

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Open days

8Nov

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Undergraduate

15Nov

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Undergraduate

Course summary

About this course Geography can help us understand our physical environment and future sustainability challenges. On your three-year BSc Physical Geography degree you'll delve into the processes that created the physical world and explore specialist areas including ecology and geology, and learn to apply your skills to address real-world environmental problems, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. You'll gain specialist skills in geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing to enable you to use geographical data and satellite images to understand our dynamic and changing world. Your Physical Geography course combines exciting lab and field based teaching with lectures from world leading researchers. This, combined with modules that have an applied focus and contain assessments designed to reflect the workplace, means you'll graduate with the skills and experiences needed to excel in your career, joining recent graduates who now work in careers including environmental management, consultancy, NGOs and local government. Key features of the course: -Travel to a location such as Tenerife for your year two compulsory residential field course (included in course fees), which is an important milestone in developing your skills as a researcher

Embark on further optional overseas field courses in the diverse and unique environments that European , southeast Asian, and south African locations offer

Use specialist facilities including a purpose-built GIS teaching lab and research-grade field equipment

Learn about the dramatic shifts in Earth’s environmental systems

Study remote sensing for Earth observation

Examine how individuals and societies respond to major changes in the environment.

Join a University where 100% of our Geography graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, with 90% in professional destinations (Graduate Outcomes 2022/2023, published 2025).

Student support Your Personal Academic Tutor will work with you throughout your degree. They will act as your first point of contact for pastoral support. They will also help you decide on optional modules, and discuss your future career plans. The degree is orientated to employability, and your core modules and assessments are aligned with the needs and practices of the professional sector. You can further enhance your degree by working in paid internships or completing a minor, studying abroad for a semester, and/or doing a year in employment. Further information This course is open to UK and international applicants.

Modules

Field work is an important element of your degree and you will have the option to participate in projects in each year of study. You will also complete core modules and choose additional optional modules each year to shape your degree to your interests. Examples of core modules for year one include: Dynamic Landscapes Ecology & Conservation Exploring Urban & Natural Environments First Year Field Course The Earth System Principles of Geography For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page on our website. Please note: information included was correct at time of publication, March 2024.

Assessment method

Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation. The learning activities for this course include lectures, classes and tutorials and coursework. We’ll assess you through essays, individual and group projects, oral presentations and written and practical exams. Throughout, you'll be supported by a personal academic tutor, your peers, and have access to a senior tutor.

How to apply

14Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:: F801

Institution code:: S27

Campus name:: Main Site - Highfield Campus

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

Pass with an overall minimum score of 32 points to include a minimum of 16 points at a higher level International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - B

Extended Project - A

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2

T Level - D

GCSE :Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C).

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/geography-degree-bsc#entry

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6.5	with no component below 6.0

All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England	£9535*	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9535*	Year 1
Scotland	£9535*	Year 1
Wales	£9535*	Year 1
Channel Islands	£9535*	Year 1
Republic of Ireland	£9535*	Year 1
EU	£31000	Year 1
International	£31000	Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

Provider information

Visit our website

University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ

Course contact details

Visit our course page

General Admissions

[email protected]

023 8059 4732

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Undergraduate Admissions - Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences