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Physical Geography

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

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.

Modules

Course Modules

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.

For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page on our website.

Assessment method

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.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
F801
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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

Course code:
F801
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
ABB

ABB from 3 A-levels (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking)

T Level
D

An overall distinction with grade B in the core element in the Science T-level

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher

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.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
DD

DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in A-level subject

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 15

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.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDM

DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
D

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A B from 2 A-level subjects

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

DD in BTEC National Diploma plus B in A-level subject

Extended Project
A

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, your offer will be:

BBB and Grade A in the EPQ

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

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.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
B

AA from two A levels and Grade B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H3H3H3H3H3

Typical Offers: H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 H3

Plus English and Maths Ordinary Level O4 or higher.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus A B from 2 A-level subjects

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3M2M2

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.

GCSE :Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C). https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/geography-degree-bsc#entry

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component below 6.0

All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

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.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data

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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050
EU & InternationalTBC

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

Please see our website for further details and updates regarding tuition fees.

We anticipate that international tuition fee levels for 2027 entry will be confirmed in August 2026.

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