Our Geography BA/BSc programmes are among the most flexible anywhere, so if you are interested in both human and physical geography, you can pick and choose your modules to focus on the human side, physical side or the interactions between the two.

All module options are available to both BA and BSc students. In a rapidly changing world, not only are many of the we face geographical – climate change, migration, globalisation – but they are also interconnected. It’s because our natural and social environments overlap that we take a multidisciplinary approach.

There are plenty of reasons to study Geography BSc at Birmingham:

Geography & Environmental Science League Table. Ranked 12th UK acording to the Complete University Guide 2025
Flexibility - One reason we are among the largest and most popular geography schools in the country is that we treat you as a geographer. This means we give you options to study both physical and human geography. We understand you may have a mixture of interests, from social to scientific, and we provide the opportunity for you to study them all.
Transferable skills - Our degree programmes will equip you with the transferable skills essential for future employment. Geography graduates are skilled in working with digital technologies, statistics, mapping packages and mobile media. In many cases these are jobs that are addressing global issues - jobs that really matter.
Fieldwork – Recent fieldwork destinations have included Rotterdam, Berlin, Portugal , Switzerland and Tokyo. The costs of travel and accommodation on all compulsory field courses will be covered by the University. Find out more about fieldwork opportunities
Research-led teaching – Our world-leading research feeds directly into our programmes, meaning you will learn from academics who are experts in their field.

Standard Home student fees 2025-26

For UK students beginning their studies in September 2025, the University of Birmingham will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. The fees for your first year of study will therefore be £9,250. Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Standard international student fees 2025-26

International fee
Fee Band (Undergraduate)	Full-time
Band 2c (Intermediate)	£26,770

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships

GREAT Life Sciences Scholarship

Learn more about our scholarships and awards

Employability 2 - Geography

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate are accepted but subjects are considered on a case by case basis - contact us for further guidance.

Geographical Society Accreditation

Specified subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking

Geographical Society Accreditation

Placement Years

One option on this degree programme is to undertake a Placement Year, which provides you with an opportunity to work with an external organisation for a year, gaining valuable experience and skills that prepare you for your future career. The placement can be with any organisation which allows you to get experience in a sector related to your degree or outside your main discipline. For example, students have completed placements with finance companies, education and environmental charities. With this option, your degree at graduation would be “with a Placement Year”. You don’t have to decide this route at the application stage, but it is an option that you can transfer onto once you are a student here. You will be responsible for sourcing your placement but we will provide support through the Placement Tutor and Careers Network. Your placement would take place after the second year of your degree, and you would then return for the final year at Birmingham. The placement forms part of your degree programme, and includes an assignment that contributes to your overall degree result. The placement year is normally charged at 20% of the normal tuition fee for home students and 50% for non-home students.

Contact details - Geography £9,250 (Home - 2025-26)
£26,7700 Fee Band 2c (International Students - 2025-26)
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First year

By providing a strong foundation of knowledge and key skills, our program ensures you are well-prepared to explore a wide range of topics. In the first year, you will delve into issues crucial to understanding the shape of our world and our place within it. You’ll study water and climate, ecology and geomorphology, global environmental change, cultural landscapes, and contemporary urban issues. We believe that hands-on experience is essential for developing a geographer’s mindset and skillset, so we organise multiple field trips. These excursions use Birmingham as a real-world laboratory and take you farther afield, offering you invaluable practical experience.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Contemporary Human Geography A
Contemporary Human Geography B
Environmental Research Frontiers A
Environmental Research Frontiers B
Tutorials and Study Skills for Geographers A
Tutorials and Study Skills for Geographers B
Global Environmental Issues A
Global Environmental Issues B
Fieldwork Project Design
Statistics
Research Methods
Applied Geographical Information Systems

Second year

The second year will provide you with deeper subject knowledge in areas of your choice. You will be introduced to specialist techniques such as computer cartography and the use of databases. You will also learn how to develop a research proposal, which may be the starting point for your dissertation in the final year. Training in more advanced fieldwork skills is provided by courses held in European centres.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Optional modules - Example optional modules may include:

Third year

In your final year you select from a wide range of modules that provide more specialised knowledge and skills in the areas of Geography that appeal to you. You also undertake a supervised dissertation on a topic of your own choice.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Optional modules - Example optional modules may include:

Optional modules statement

Teaching learning 2 - Geography Human Sciences and GECS course promo

At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that particular programme of study. You'll receive feedback on each assessment within four weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done for future modules.

During your first year it is important that you have a smooth transition into University. You will be able to talk to your tutors about this and discuss if there are particular areas where you need support.

Our Academic Skills Centre also offers you support with your learning. The centre is a place where you can develop your mathematical, academic writing and general academic skills. It is the Centre's aim to help you to become a more effective and independent learner through the use of a range of high-quality and appropriate learning support services. These range from drop-in sessions with support with mathematics and statistics based problems provided by experienced mathematicians, to workshops on a range of topics including note talking, reading, writing and presentation skills.

Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com
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You will be taught by professors, doctors and doctoral researchers, benefitting from rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience. In Years 1 and 2 of your Geography degree you can expect to average between 10-14 hours of lectures and classes per week. In addition, there are residential field courses in both years. In your final year, more of your time will be spent on an independent research project and independent study; therefore, you can expect to average between 6-9 hours of contact time spent in lectures, seminars and tutorials.

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 6, 6, 5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall. Higher Level subjects need to include the required subjects as defined for the A-level qualification, where applicable.

Standard English language requirements apply.

Learn more about international entry requirements.

Geography BSc

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