Summary
Understand the forces shaping our planet and its future. On this BSc Physical Geography degree, you will explore the processes that have created the natural world and examine the environmental challenges we face today, from climate change to biodiversity loss.
You will study how Earth systems operate and interact, combining scientific insight with practical skills to understand a changing environment. From landscapes to ecosystems, you will learn how to apply your knowledge to real-world problems.
At Southampton, your learning brings together fieldwork, laboratory study and research-led teaching, preparing you for a career in environmental science and beyond.
Key features of the course:
Take part in a compulsory residential field course, with locations such as Tenerife, included in your course fees, helping you develop as a researcher.
Expand your experience with optional overseas field courses across Europe, Southeast Asia and South Africa.
Develop specialist skills in Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing, using data and satellite imagery to analyse environmental change.
Use purpose-built facilities, including a dedicated GIS teaching lab and research-grade field equipment.
Explore major changes in Earth’s environmental systems and how societies respond to them.
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, published 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.
Specialise in aspects of physical geography of particular interest to you. 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 physical geography topics, understanding global processes, ecology, landscapes, hazards alongside developing core study skills, basic research techniques and field experience.
Year 2: Develop key skills in GIS and remote sensing, as well as in fieldwork during your trip to Tenerife. Gain knowledge on various subfields of physical geography, such as climate change and tipping pints, coasts, and sustainability. You have the option to take two modules outside of geography covering a wide range of subjects, including biodiversity conservation.
Year 3: Specialise in aspects of physical geography of particular interest to you, including glaciers, deserts, rivers, nature-based solutions, as well as 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 modules outside of geography covering a wide range of subjects, including biodiversity conservation.
For full list of all modules available, please visit 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 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.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
ABB from 3 A-levels (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking)
DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit in a preferred subject.
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.
DD in BTEC National Diploma plus B in A-level subject
D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus A B from 2 A-level subjects
DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma
DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in A-level subject
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A B from 2 A-level subjects
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.
AA from two A levels and Grade B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, your offer will be:
BBB and Grade A in the EPQ
Typical Offers: H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3
Plus English and Maths Ordinary Level O4 or higher.
Typical offers : D3 M2 M2
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer , where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A.
An overall distinction with grade B in the core element in the Science T-level
GCSE :Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C).
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirementshttps://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Most of the students who enrolled on this course in previous years met their offer conditions at our published entry criteria, securing their place on their chosen course. We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
* 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.
Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Email:admissions@soton.ac.uk
Phone:023 8059 4732
Email:AdmissionsUG.ELS@soton.ac.uk
Phone:023 8059 4732
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
At University of Southampton
