Water, climate change, sea-level rise, coastal risk, pollution, ecological dynamics and global sustainability. These present some of the critical environmental challenges of this century, are geographical in origin and solution, and are the focus of our BSc Geography degree. With this world view, breadth of content and the development of an extensive range of laboratory, statistical and GIS skills, Geographers continue to be one of the most sought-after graduates, able to turn their hand to a vast range of employment sectors.
You’ll join a course rated first for overall satisfaction in UK Geography by The Guardian in 2020.
You’ll progress from field training in the UK to field research, forging unforgettable experiences with us in the landscapes of Europe, Africa and the Americas. You’ll also have the flexibility to select human geography themes from our companion BA Geography course, or to switch to the BA up to the end of Year 2. There is also the opportunity to spend a semester in Year 2 at partner Universities in Canada, the USA or New Zealand.
Beyond the conventional 3 year degree and 4 year placement version, Gloucestershire is the only University in the UK to offer Geography in a fast-track format. On this accelerated degree you will graduate in 2 years. In doing so you will make a significant saving on tuition fees, accommodation and general living costs. You will also stand out from the crowd, demonstrating drive, focus and employability. It also means that you will start earning or begin postgraduate study a year earlier. The faster pace of study is made achievable by the well-structured degree at Gloucestershire, involving some concentrated intervals of work in the early summer. There is also flexibility to switch to the three or four year degree options at the end of Year 1 of fast-track if you wish.
Your programme will be coursework-led, with varied assessment types for you to demonstrate the strengths you’ll need in the workplace. You’ll learn in a range of environments throughout your degree – small group seminars, one-to-one tutorials, lab sessions, computer practicals and field trips alongside conventional lectures.
112 tariff points (calculate your points at UCAS.com)
Your points must include at least 2 A Levels, BTEC or equivalent qualifications, for example:
BBC at A levels, DMM at BTEC or use a combination of qualifications to achieve the required tariff.
If your course has a fast-track option that you’re applying to, you’ll also need to pass an entry interview.
We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants though the entry requirements still apply.
Some courses require several years of working experiences in the relevant industry.
Please read the entry requirements for your country – and you’re welcome to contact our admissions team if you have questions.
English and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.
| Start date | Location | UCAS code |
Fee (UK) per year |
Fee (international) per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham | F800 | £9,250 | £14,700 |
| Sep 2022 | Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham | F800 | — | — |
Graduates from this course can go on to work in:
We offer short-term internships and year-long placement options – so you can gain workplace experience, network with potential employers and obtain academic credit towards your degree. Recently our students have been flood mapping for major water companies, valuing land across the Cotswolds, and planning urban developments and transport networks.
Find out how to use geographic information systems (GIS) to quantify deforestation, evaluate coastal and river change, perform suitability mapping for conservation, and map land use for landscape rehabilitation.
Our Geography courses are in the UK top 15 according to the Guardian University Guide and were ranked 1st for course satisfaction in 2020. Over the last 6 years of the annual National Student Survey, our course has consistently scored 90% or more for overall satisfaction.
Delivering the best possible learning experience through cutting-edge technology and strong practical elements. You’ll work closely with expert lecturers and other students in the seminar room, the laboratory and the field.
Our Geography and Environmental Science courses rank 6th in the UK for teaching quality, according to The Times Good University Guide 2021.
Our Geography and Environmental studies rank top 5 in the UK for feedback, according to the Guardian University Guide 2021.
As part of your course you can gain valuable experience on an optional placement year.
“I’ve undertaken field work and attended conferences in some amazing places including Canada, Iceland, and New Zealand. I also serve on the executive committee of the British Society for Geomorphology, and for the European Geosciences Union. I have a variety of research projects on the go working on water (both flowing and frozen), but of particular note I am currently using historic aerial photographs and satellite imagery to look at glacier change on Antarctica – giving me the opportunity to incorporate some of my Antarctic data into my geography teaching.”
Lucy Clarke, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography
“The Geography degree offered me a unique opportunity to learn about our planet while gaining the qualification I needed. I developed an aptitude and love for research, and then completed an MSc in Applied Ecology. I’m now researching how melting ice and sea-level rise impact ocean circulation and climate in the North Atlantic, involving field work in Scotland and the Falkland Islands.”
Graham Rush, UoG graduate, PhD student and Associate Lecturer at the University of York
