Human Geography (Placement Year)

With a unique blend of social sciences and geography, gain first-hand experience of the ways in which people interact with their environment and how they form communities, cultures, and economies. Benefit from support to secure a paid placement enabling you to experience twelve months working in the type of organisation that you might aspire to join when you graduate.

You will study a diverse range of modules that are developed and taught by our world-class academics who are leading experts in human, environmental and political geography, development studies, Anthropology, political economy and science and technology.

Our location, between the rural settings of the north and the bustling cities of Liverpool and Manchester, enables us to explore some of the UK’s most unique areas of geographic interest. You will gain a wealth of hands-on experience with field trips to places such as Manchester city centre, the Cumbrian coast and the Lake District, as well as international locations such as Croatia.

While studying at the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), you will have access to state-of-the-art computer systems and software. You will work in comfortable class sizes, giving you the opportunity to get to know your lecturers personally and benefit from their expert knowledge and helpful one-to-one advice.

First year modules equip you with a well-rounded introduction to some of the key themes of human geography, as well as helping you to develop skills used by geographers to analyse problems within the discipline. In addition to the Geography modules, you will be given the opportunity to take two other subjects alongside your first year studies. You may use this opportunity to explore some of the many subjects offered within the LEC, or study further social sciences such as Sociology or Politics, or gain transferable skills in Economics or Marketing.

In the second year, you will undertake a series of core modules that focus on human geography skills, concepts and research techniques. Optional choices include our Communicating Geography module in which you can help teach the subject in a local school, gaining valuable classroom experience.

To prepare you for your work placement year, our Careers and Placements Team will provide advice and guidance on: the skills required to create effective CVs, cover letters and applications; tips and techniques on how to make an impact at interviews and assessment centres; how to create a relevant digital profile; and how to research employers and career sectors of interest. In addition, there is great emphasis placed upon developing self-awareness and on how to present yourself in a professional manner to employers. This optional provision will be delivered via a blend of traditional and digital methods including face-to-face workshops, online webinars, e-courses and 1:1 appointments.

You will spend your third year on an industrial placement, before returning to Lancaster for your fourth year where you will continue in your chosen specialties. The placement offers you the opportunity to work as a full-time employee of the organisation whilst still receiving both academic and pastoral support.

In the final (fourth) year you will undertake a dissertation project, guided by your academic supervisor, which offers a chance to perform original geographical research on a topic of your choice. While completing the dissertation, you will use the key research, analytical and academic writing skills you have learnt throughout your degree. You may wish to take advantage of the unique opportunity to collaborate with a business to complete your dissertation research, allowing you to gain valuable work experience at the same time. In addition, you may select from a range of optional modules which cover topics such as food and agriculture, health, enterprise and global consumption, as well as field courses to Croatia and Switzerland.