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Geography

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site - Highfield Campus

Course summary

About this course
Geography offers an understanding of the processes that created our physical world. On your three-year BSc Geography degree, you'll study the natural and physical science aspects of geography and gain a better understanding of real-world issues (like climate) change and the solutions to these challenges.

You'll study both human and physical geography whilst specialising in physical geography issues in higher years. This will appeal to you if you have a preference for physical geography whilst alsoenjoying the breadth of the discipline. Studying in the classroom, in labs, and on field trips, you'll learn advanced techniques such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and will graduate with the skills and experiences needed to excel in your career, joining recent graduates who now work in careers including public policy, teaching, environmental consultancy, financial services, retail, marketing, town-planning, GIS-related and government advisory roles.

Key features of the course:

  • Travel to a location such as Tenerife for your year two compulsory residential field course (included in course fees), which is an important milestone in developing your skills as a researcher

  • Embark on further optional overseas field courses in the diverse and unique environments that European , southeast Asian, and south African locations offer

  • Benefit from a highly flexible degree, enabling you to tailor your module choices to your interests, with the option to swap between the BSc and BA Geography degrees after the first year.

  • Join a University where 100% of our Geography graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, with 90% in professional destinations (Graduate Outcomes 2022/2023).

Student support
Your Personal Academic Tutor will work with you throughout your degree. They will act as your first point of contact for pastoral support. They will also help you decide on optional modules, and discuss your future career plans.

The degree is orientated to employability, and your core modules and assessments are aligned with the needs and practices of the professional sector. You can further enhance your degree by working in paid internships or completing a minor, studying abroad for a semester, and/or doing a year in employment.

Further information
This course is open to UK and international applicants and is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society.

Modules

We have a mix of physical and human geography modules with specialisation in physical 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 Physical and Human geography topics, understanding global processes, 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 in human geography or from outside geography, covering a wide range of subjects.
Year 3: Specialise in aspects of 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 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.

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 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.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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:
F800
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

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

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

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit

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

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

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

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDD

DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD

DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in A-level subject

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

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.

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

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3

Typical Offers: H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 Plus English and Maths Ordinary Level O4 or higher.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2

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.

T Level - D

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.

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.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements 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 BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

94% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

75 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535*Year 1
EU£31000Year 1
International£31000Year 1

* 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.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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