Ranking
12th
in the UK for Geography
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course overview
Explore the dynamic relationship between society, business systems, and the physical environment, providing a comprehensive understanding of key concepts, knowledge and skillsets to address complex global challenges. This programme stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, integrating physical, human, and environmental geography with core business, management, and sustainability principles. Students gain both analytical depth and practical experience through the international fieldwork, case studies, and applied projects that mirror real‑world challenges.
Study one of our Geography undergraduate degrees at the University of Birmingham
Find out what it's like to study Geography at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with Unifrog.
I have gained research skills since coming to university and is something that I have found to be really enjoyable and rewarding. Additionally, my confidence has really grown due to the wide range of activities and opportunities I have had access to.
You will develop the necessary knowledge and skillsets to open up career paths in industry, government, service and research sectors.
Year 1
Year 1
In Year 1, you will build a strong foundation in Geography and Business through an introduction to key concepts, skills, and perspectives. You will explore how environmental systems operate and change, examine the relationships between societies, space, and place, and develop essential fieldwork skills abroad or/and in Birmingham. Alongside this, you will be introduced to academic and professional pathways in geography and business while gaining core business knowledge in business models, accounting, and finance, equipping you with the analytical and transferable skills needed for progression into more advanced study.
Year 2
Year 2
In Year 2, you will strengthen your academic and practical foundations by developing core research, analytical, and professional skills while deepening your understanding of Human and Physical geography. You will prepare for independent geographical research, alongside key business modules covering management, economics, marketing, or responsible business and sustainability. Optional modules will allow you to tailor your studies across a wide range of topics, including climate and hydrology, ecosystems and biodiversity, geological hazards, environmental pollution and management, digital data analysis, and social, political, urban, and development geographies, enabling you to build a broad yet coherent skills set for advanced study and future careers.
Year 3
Year 3
In Year 3, you will work on your individual dissertation project within Human or Physical Geography. Alongside this, you will be able develop key management capabilities through either Operations and Supply Chain Management or Managing Entrepreneurial Projects or focus on a business and technology pathway incorporating Artificial Intelligence for Business, Strategy and International Business. You will also consolidate your understanding of human and physical geography through various optional modules comprising studies of global environmental change, climate systems, conservation, urban and regional challenges, and geopolitics, while developing strong research, fieldwork, and professional skills that connect theory to real‑world environmental and societal issues.
Join our mailing list
Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with our latest events, scholarships and subject news.
Why Study Geography with Business at Birmingham?
- 12th
in the UK for Geography and Environmental Science
Complete University Guide 2026
- Top 100
In the World for Geography
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- 3rd
Students on this course rank the course 3rd in the Russell Group
NSS 2025
- Knowledge - Geographical processes, business systems, sustainability principles, climate risks, corporate responsibility, global environments, data interpretation, and regional development dynamics.
- Concepts - Interdisciplinarity, sustainability, intersectionality, ethical practice, systems thinking, risk assessment, organisational behaviour, environmental change, strategic planning, and socio‑economic interaction.
- Skills - Data collection, digital analysis, business modelling, critical evaluation, communication, teamwork, leadership, problem‑solving, research design, and real‑world application.
- Curriculum - The curriculum emphasises digital literacy, data skills, and business modelling, preparing graduates for evidence‑based decision‑making. Strong communication and teamwork development are embedded throughout, ensuring students can engage effectively with diverse audiences.
- Research - With research‑informed teaching, specialist final‑year modules, and a commitment to global citizenship, the programme equips students to address complex environmental and business challenges in a rapidly changing world.
Placement Years
We offer a placement year as part of your degree programme at Birmingham, offering year-long work experience with an external organisation. Gain valuable skills and experience in sectors related to or outside your discipline. Past placements include consultancies, finance, charities, travel companies, and food manufacturers. You can decide on this option after joining us, with support from our teams on campus. The placement takes place between your second and third year.
Course delivery
The course is delivered via a range of methods including: lectures, practical classes, small group tutorials, seminars and discussion groups as well as directed independent study and fieldwork.
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
- Taught modules – Our research feeds into all of our teaching, including lectures, small group tutorials, group learning and presentations.
- Practical classes and fieldwork offer the opportunity to gain hands-on experience to reinforce learning and develop skills
- Small group learning (tutorials, seminars, discussion groups) provide opportunities to discuss insights, engage in debate and reflect on understanding
- Independent study allows for exploring areas of interest in greater detail, utilising necessary knowledge and skillsets
Support during your studies
You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:
Personal academic tutors – You will be assigned your own personal academic tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.
Wellbeing Officers – Alongside your personal academic tutor, you will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues.
Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career.
Contact hours
For this programme, you can expect 10-14 hours of classes weekly in years one and two, and 6-9 hours in the final year.
Assessment methods and feedback
Each assessment method is designed to evaluate the level to which students have achieved one or more of the programme outcomes. Assessment methods include a portfolio of reflective reports, group projects, dissertation, essays, presentations, discussion papers, technical and analytical reports and examinations.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Each year of the course accounts for 180 credits (360 credits over three years). Year 1 is comprised of compulsory modules providing you with the foundation knowledge and skillsets for subsequent years. Years 2 and 3 are comprised of both compulsory (80 credits) and optional (40 credits in total) modules.
Please note that some modules may be subject to change.
Year 1
Year 1
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
|
LC Principles of Business and Business Models |
20 | Semester 1 |
|
Principles of Accounting and Finance |
20 | |
| LC Connected Earth: Environmental Systems and Change | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LC Discover Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES): Academic and Professional Futures | 20 | Full Term |
| LC Fieldwork: Principles and Practice | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LC Principles of Accounting and Finance | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LC Societies, Space and Place | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year 2
Year 2
Students must take one from each of the following pairs of modules:
Option 1:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LI Dissertation Labs for Human Geography and Planning | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Dissertation Labs: theory and practice for Physical Geography and Environmental Science | 20 | Semester 2 |
Option 2:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LI Field Research Skills for Human Geography and Planning | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Field Research Skills for Physical Geography and Environmental Sciences | 20 | Semester 2 |
Choose 40 credits from the following: NB: It should be noted that some modules have prohibited combinations due to timetabling restrictions. Students must refer to the Module Choice Handbook published by the School when making their module choices.
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LI Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Cultural Geographies | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Development Geographies | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Digital data capture and analysis | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Ecological Systems | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Environmental Human Geography | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Environmental Pollution and Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Geological Natural Hazards | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Hydroclimatology: Climate and Water | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Hydrology and River Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Political Geographies | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Social Geographies | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Urban Geography | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year 3
Year 3
Students must choose ONE of the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LH Human Geography or Planning Research | 40 | Full Term |
| LH Physical Geography Research | 40 | Full Term |
Choose 40 credits from the list below. NB: It should be noted that some modules have prohibited combinations due to timetabling restrictions. Students must refer to the Module Choice Handbook published by the School when making their module choices.
Teaching staff
Professor Phil Jones
Professor in Cultural Geography
Professor Phil Jones explores urban issues through cultural geography, with interests in regeneration, cycling, the arts, and innovative research methods.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
AAB
- IB
6,6,5 32 points overall.
- BTEC
We welcome students studying BTEC qualifications as an alternative to A levels, and accept BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate. Please contact us for further guidance.
Number of A levels required: 3
-
General Studies
General Studies is not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.
-
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall.
BTEC qualifications
We welcome students studying BTEC qualifications as an alternative to A levels, and accept BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate. Please contact us for further guidance.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL tests taken before January 2026: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- TOEFL tests taken from January 2026: 4.5 Overall with no less than 4 in each skill
- IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
- Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Core Maths qualification
Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
International entry requirements
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBB - A Level
- Contextual Offer
ABB - A Level
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- TBC
To be confirmed
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- TBC
Application deadline for September 2027 entry to be confirmed.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Ask us a question
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.
What careers can I do with a Geography degree?
The University of Birmingham is one of the country’s most consistently sought‑after universities by the UK’s top graduate employers, and has been for the last decade (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report). Our courses are committed to your future career, and university is just the start.
As a Birmingham Geography graduate you will develop the necessary knowledge and skillsets to open up career paths in range of sectors including: industry, government, service and research sectors.
My studies have helped me realise what areas of my course, and of general society, bring me the most interest. As my course covers a variety of subjects, this has helped me narrow my focus down into a field I feel comfortable in.
- Top 2
We're consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers.
(High Fliers 'Graduate Market 2026' report)
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job application, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Birmingham: a city built for students
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Intercalated years
Our intercalated opportunities offer the chance to take a year out from your existing course to study within another field. This takes place usually between year 2 and year 3 of your programme.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.