Human Geography

Summary:

Understand the forces shaping our world. On this BA Human Geography degree, you will explore how societies, economies and environments interact, and how global challenges affect people’s lives.

From inequality and migration to economic development, health and social justice, you will examine the issues that define our time. You will learn how these processes play out across different places and communities, building a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.

At Southampton, your learning combines theory with real-world application, preparing you for careers where insight, analysis and understanding of people and place matter.

Key features of the course:

Explore a wide range of human geography topics, including inequality, migration, labour markets and global development.

Take part in fieldwork opportunities locally and overseas, with options such as a residential field course in locations like Amsterdam included in your course fees.

Study urban and global change across diverse environments in Europe, Southeast Asia and South Africa.

Develop research skills using a range of methods, concepts and approaches to understand people and place.

Learn from academics whose research shapes the field and brings new perspectives into your studies.

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.

Course Modules

This course lets you develop in-depth knowledge and skills on key issues drawing from human geography disciplines. It offers a mixture of compulsory and optional modules each year, allowing you to tailor your degree according to your ambition.

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.