Our Geography MSci programme is 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.

The four year Geography MSci programme provides an opportunity for you to follow your interests in Geography more comprehensively, and to develop key skills for career development. It uses the same modules as the BSc Geography (F800) and/or BA Geography (L700) degree for the first three years, followed by an additional specialist fourth year.

There are plenty of reasons to study Geography MSci 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 human and physical 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, 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

The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fee would be £9,535.

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

Learn more about our scholarships and awards

Employability 2 - Geography

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate not accepted.

Geographical Society Accreditation

Specified subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking

Geographical Society Accreditation

Contact details - Geography

TBC (UK students)
£26,770 Fee Band 2c (International Students - 2025-26)
More detail

We are committed to continual improvement of our programmes and to ensuring we respond to the changing needs of the world and our student body. As such we are in the process of updating our year one curriculum for this course (to be launched in 2025-26). These changes have developed with student and staff consultation and have research-based teaching at their core. Our core programme outcomes will not change, but module structures in year one will.

Below you can find the current year one structure to give you a sense of what you will learn.

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 the third 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:

Fourth year

The MSci provides a natural continuation to your first 3 years of study and allows you to further your studies in human geography (city & modernity, geopolitics & globalisation, local economic development), physical geography (meteorological applications, hydrological & biogeochemical processes, river restoration) and environmental assessment or indeed a mixture of the disciplines.

Year 4

Human Geography pathway

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules - Example optional modules may include:

Physical Geography pathway

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules - Example optional modules may include:

Hydrogeomorphology and catchment management
Causes and effects of air pollution
Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems
Adaption to Changing Environments
River Habitats and their Biogeochemistry

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
Learn more about applying

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 MSci

Page contents

Related courses

Geography with International Year

Geography with Year Abroad

Geography with Year Abroad

Upcoming events