Geography with Year Abroad BA

• A flexible programme – in an interconnected world where natural and social environments overlap, it is important that you can choose modules across both human and physical geography to explore your subject area in detail. You’ll have a mixture of interests as a geographer and at Birmingham, you’ll have opportunity to explore them all.
• Fieldwork – There's no better way to learn about natural and built environments than being in the great outdoors. Our fieldwork spans cities such as Rotterdam, Berlin, Lisbon and Tokyo, and exceptional landscapes in the Swiss Alps. Travel and accommodation for compulsory courses are fully covered so you can focus on the opportunities afforded to you with a variety of global experiences, led by experts in air pollution, weather, and global issues.
• Skills fit for the future – learn how to use tools specific to Geography like geographical information systems (GIS), data analysis and statistics, as well as key transferable skills that employers are looking for worldwide, such as problem-solving, communication, leadership and adaptability.
• Accreditation – This programme has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), which recognises best practice in geography teaching and learning.
• Students on this course rank the course 3rd in the Russell Group according to the National Student Survey 2025
• Students on this course ranked the course 1st in the Russell Group for how easy it is to contact teaching staff when they need to (NSS 2025)
• Ranked 15th in the UK for Geography and Environmental Science according to the Times League Table 2026.
• Ranked 28th in the UK for Geography according to the Guardian Subject Rankings 2026

• Fieldwork – Past destinations have included Rotterdam, Berlin, Lisbon, Wales, Switzerland and Tokyo. You can also gain fieldwork experience through final-year research projects, locally or overseas. Past trips have included the French Pyrenees, Iceland, Sweden, and the Swiss Alps. Participate in impactful conservation projects with Operation Wallacea, an environmental research and conservation organisation.
• Taught modules – Our research feeds into all of our teaching, including lectures, small group tutorials, group learning and presentations.
• Resources and facilities – Our unique facilities include BIFoR, a forest facility in Stafford dedicated to climate change research, and our state-of-the-art Collaborative Teaching Lab (CTL) with wet, dry, and e-labs that support the latest methods in laboratory teaching across science subjects.

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

Geography uses a variety of methods to assess student performance, this includes exams, essays and dissertations. 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.

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.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

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: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
• 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.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

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.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

As a Birmingham Geography graduate you will have the skills and knowledge for a wide range of careers and this is reflected in our excellent graduate employment. Geography graduates are particularly valued for their understanding of both the physical and social sciences and our programme provides you with the opportunity to develop these through our subject pathways and fieldwork.

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.

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.

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.