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Geography with Foundation Year at University of Plymouth - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

University of Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

26Apr
University of Plymouth - Open Day
Undergraduate
18Jun
University of Plymouth - Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Our degree explores the relationships between physical processes, nature and environmental change. All our geography degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand and tackle the biggest global challenges facing the planet and humanity; and our modules do this by engaging with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Your learning has a strong emphasis on applied skills and career development, with an optional placement year offering work experience. This is a four-year BSc (Hons) degree programme starting at Year Zero. It is one of a suite of such programmes, designed for students who are not appropriately qualified, in subject knowledge, attainment or recent experience, for entry to Level 4 of undergraduate programmes in Science. On successful completion of Year Zero, students progress to Level 4 of an undergraduate degree in Science. Students completing the BSc (Hons) Geography with Foundation Year programme will normally progress to a BSc (Hons) programme in Geography in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SoGEES) . The University guarantees progression to one of the following science-based BSc programmes • BSc (Hons) Geography • BSc (Hons) Physical Geography and Geology • BSc (Hons) Geography with Ocean Science Providing a student has achieved 120 credits in the Level 0 programme of study.

  • Your degree pathway is flexible, as you can choose human geography (GGH) modules, even if you have entered to study a BSc (physical geography) course.
  • A BSc (Hons) Geography degree would typically comprise more physical geography (GGP) option modules than human geography option modules.
  • Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and/or international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support.
  • You will learn from expert, accessible, and supportive staff who are skilled researchers in their field.
  • Learn to use Geographical Information Systems to analyse and communicate complex spatial data.
  • Take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our exchange programme.
  • Our focus on employability and applied geography supports students to pursue a range of career opportunities.
  • Choose an optional work placement programme providing skills, experience and contacts in a wide range of employment sectors.
  • Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.
  • A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do.

Modules

In your first year you will learn the skills necessary to be successful at University and immerse yourself in a broad range of applications for your chosen subject. This will include learning about the fundamentals of the physical environment and build towards an end of year project to showcase your skills for sustainable development. Fieldwork and laboratory work will form a key part of the training. In your second year, modules will introduce you to the latest developments in human and physical geography, and you’ll benefit from small group tutorials. Undertake fieldwork and develop your practical and applied skills through lab work. In your third year, you’ll deepen your knowledge with a wide range of optional modules in human and physical geography and core modules in theories, practical skills and careers development. You’ll also have the chance to take field courses in overseas destinations (recent courses have run in Morocco, USA, Iceland, Australia and Sweden). Choose an optional year working in industry to improve your knowledge of applied geography and gain invaluable work experience. Our employability service will help you find a placement from our extensive network across all sectors. You’ll write a dissertation on any aspect of human or physical geography. There’s a wide range of optional modules in human or physical geography, plus the option of taking a work experience module to prepare you for your first job.

Assessment method

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bsc-geography-with-foundation-year

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

31Jan

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

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated International Student Advice (ISA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A minimum £2,000 tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees If you have any questions please contact [email protected]

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

GCSE Maths and English at a Grade C/4

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees * Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Geography with Foundation Year at University of Plymouth - UCAS