Geography

Our Geography BSc(Hons) prepares you for careers in environmental consultancy, conservation, resource management, environmental impact assessment, sustainability policy, education and more.

At Brighton you’ll be part of a supportive community that helps you grow, no matter your background. This degree is packed with opportunities for hands-on learning – through laboratory work, field trips in the UK and overseas, live environmental research projects, community volunteering and placements with councils, conservation charities and environmental organisations.

Brighton graduates work for organisations such as the Environment Agency, Southern Water, Oxfam, Low Carbon Europe and GIS consultancies.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Study earth systems, biodiversity, conservation, climate change and environmental change, alongside the human processes that shape our world.

• Gain a degree accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) – recognition of its quality and professional relevance.

• Learn specialist field skills on day trips and residential field trips, with travel and accommodation included for mandatory trips to locations such as Wales and Sicily.

• Boost your CV with work experience opportunities, including an optional placement year and community volunteering.

• Access funded internship schemes like the Brighton Student Research Experience Scheme.

• Contribute to research in areas such as environmental change, conservation management, geohazards, climate systems and aquatic environments.

• 100% of our research impact is assessed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ for its reach and significance – 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

• Build industry-ready skills in GIS and remote sensing, statistical and spatial data analysis, environmental assessment and geohazard monitoring.

• Strengthen transferable skills in time management, group working, communication, presenting, designing solutions and software skills – all of which help prepare you for your career.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Geography
Brighton & Hove offers geographers a mix of study environments – from chalk downland and dynamic coastal systems to urban regeneration projects.

Named one of the best cities on the planet and the third best city in the UK by Time Out, the location is a hub for environmental innovation, conservation initiatives and climate action networks. And its position provides easy access to diverse UK field sites and international study destinations.

Course Modules

Year 1
Build your foundational knowledge in both physical and human geography while developing your fieldwork skills and exploring the processes shaping the Earth. You will examine social, cultural and economic patterns and investigate pressing planetary issues. The year also introduces key research tools and supports your transition to university-level study.

Core modules
Academic Learning for Geography and Environmental Studies
Exploring Environments: An Introduction to Geographical and Environmental Fieldwork
Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis
Global Challenges: Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Human Geography

Year 2
In your second year you will deepen your expertise and apply your learning to explore environmental and social issues overseas. Option modules let you specialise in areas such as pollution, sustainability, GIS and remote sensing and physical geography.

Core modules
Earth Surface Processes
Professional Practice for Global Challenges
Research Design and Advanced Data Analysis
Geography and Environment International Field Work

Options*
Sustainable Futures
Environmental Pollution
Political and Economic Geography
Social Justice in Cultural Spaces
GIS and Remote Sensing: Principles and Practice
Ice Age Earth

Optional Placement Year
You can also take an optional placement year to gain hands-on experience, build confidence and develop a network of contacts. Our students have been on placements with organisations such as the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Transport for London, the Field Studies Council, as well as with environmental firms and consultancies.

Final year
You will focus on your interests with an independent dissertation supported by academic supervision. Choose from modules exploring climate, geohazards, environmental impact assessment and coloniality and racism. You can also undertake a community placement during which you can apply your skills with an external organisation before you graduate.

Core modules
Dissertation

Options*
Geographies of Genders and Sexualities
Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
Community Placement
Geohazards
Environmental Impact Assessment
The Frozen Planet
Water, Sanitation and Health
Political Ecology: Contested Environments
Confronting Coloniality and Racism: Political Geographies of Territory and Security
Current Topics in Aquatic Environments

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.