Geography

Summary:

Understand the world through the lens of geography. On this BA Geography degree, you will explore how economic, social and cultural forces shape societies, health and wellbeing, and our relationship with the environment.

You will study both human and physical geography, before focusing on human geography in greater depth as your degree progresses. From global inequalities to the impact of markets and policy, you will examine the challenges facing our interconnected world.

At Southampton, you can shape your degree around your interests, building the skills and insight to move into a wide range of careers.

Key features of the course:

Take part in a residential field course, with locations such as Amsterdam, included in your course fees.

Expand your experience with optional overseas field courses across Europe, Southeast Asia and South Africa.

Shape your degree through flexible module choices, with the option to switch between BA and BSc Geography after your first year.

Develop practical skills using tools such as Geographical Information Systems, helping you analyse and understand global challenges.

Join a university where 100% of Geography graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, with 90% in professional roles (Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, publsihed 2025).

Partnership Projects:

Our Partnership Projects initiative gives you the opportunity to complete a Policy, Practice or Industry dissertation in collaboration with an external organisation.
You’ll work on a real brief set by the partner, applying your knowledge to a defined challenge.
Projects may include:
• ecological field studies
• social research into community sustainability initiatives
• identifying new locations for environmental or social charity work
Your research will focus on real-world issues and contribute to practical outcomes.

Student support:

Your Personal Academic Tutor will support you throughout your degree, helping you choose modules, plan your career and providing guidance when you need it.

You will also have opportunities to build your experience through internships, study abroad, a year in employment or by taking a minor, helping you shape your future.

Further information:

This course is open to UK and international applicants and is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, recognising the quality and relevance of your degree.

We have a mix of physical and human geography modules with specialisation in human geography in the higher years. From year 2 you will be able to tailor your degree with a range of optional modules not only from geography but from across the university, depending on your interest.

Year 1: An introduction to the foundation of Human and Physical geography topics, understanding global processes, landscapes, hazards alongside developing core study skills, basic research techniques and field experience.
Year 2: Develop knowledge on various subfields of human geography, such as wellbeing, health, economies, cultural and urban geography, with dedicated research training integrating GIS tools, and the option to go to Amsterdam. You have the option to take two modules in physical geography or from outside geography, covering a wide range of subjects.
Year 3: Develop specialisation from social justice, migration, creative economy to climate change, hazards, food security and health, alongside optional fieldtrips to International destinations. Delve into an independent research project to advance your enquiry in a specialised subfield of geography. You have the option to take two modules in human geography or from outside geography, covering a wide range of subjects.

The full list of modules is available on the course page on our website.

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 developing websites, 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.