Geography BA

A degree in human geography provides the knowledge and skills to understand our rapidly changing world, including international development, population growth, urban transformation, sustainability, global geopolitics, human rights, globalisation, and patterns of inequality (ethnicity, class and gender).

Our graduates are in demand for both their specialist and transferable skills. You’ll build skills in presenting your ideas in reports and orally, in data collection, presentation and analysis, and in the use of specialist mapping and statistical software.

Broad expertise and knowledge will equip you to tackle important real-world problems in a range of organisations and sectors, from the public sector (such as working for local government), to private industry (as a retail analyst or location planner) and for non-governmental organisations (such as Amnesty International as a policy and campaigns officer).

Extending this degree

You can convert your 3-year degree into a 4-year degree by spending an additional year on an industrial placement or overseas, before returning to Leeds to complete your final year of study.

Accreditation

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education.

The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Each year of this programme is designed around a combination of compulsory core modules, as well as opportunities to take optional modules and discovery modules across the University so you can choose additional subjects of interest. The balance of compulsory and optional modules depends on the year and programme of study and is explained fully in the programme catalogue. If you study this programme part time you’ll study fewer modules in each year. You will have a personal tutor all the way through your degree.

In year one, you’ll develop a grounding in the core concepts and themes of human geography, plus key academic writing and digital learning skills. Core modules explore different geographies of a changing world, including economic globalisation, neighbourhood change, urbanisation and cities, migration, health, development, environmental management and sustainability. We focus on issues of justice, difference, identity, nature, space and place across different scales and ideologies.

In year two, you’ll be provided with a core programme of research and career skills training that you’ll supplement from optional modules that cover geo-politics and international development, service analysis and planning, economic geography, the development of modern cities, citizenship and identity, protest and resistance, natural resource management, and sustainable transport.

In year three, you’ll be required to undertake a significant independent final year project - currently a dissertation - alongside a suite of optional modules that cover subjects such as urban social movements, creating alternative futures, population and health geographies, location analysis, global insecurities, migration and encounter, and healthy transport. You will also have the choice of a research, work or teacher placement module.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Geography BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from the range of opportunities, expanding your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn through a range of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials (groups of eight), seminars (groups of approximately 30), computer classes, lab practical classes, group-work, online exercises and fieldwork, depending on the modules you study.

Independent study is also an important part of this course, and will develop your research and analytical skills in order to think and work independently.

You'll receive guidance and support throughout your degree, and there will be opportunities for extra support through one-to-one assistance, workshops and skills training.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods include examinations, individual or group reports and presentations, practical exercises, essays, posters, projects (such as the dissertation) and reflective logs.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA preferably including Geography.

If Geography is not included then we would expect two A-levels from History, English, Economics, Sociology, a modern language, Psychology, Mathematics and Biology.

GCSE: English and Mathematics at grade C (4) or above, or an equivalent English language and Mathematics qualification.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.

• BTEC

  D*DD in Extended Diploma/3 Subsidiary Diplomas in Geography or two relevant subjects. We will accept a combination of BTECs and A-Levels. Please contact us for further information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D2, M1, M1 including Geography or two relevant subjects.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall, with 17 points at higher level to include 5 points in Geography or in two relevant subjects.

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  AAAAAA/H2H2H2H2H2H2 including Geography or two relevant subjects.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AAABB overall with AA in 2 Advanced Highers (AH). For non-AH applicants AAAAAA. To include Geography or 2 relevant subjects.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABB plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Applicant days

Suitable applicants will be invited to an applicant day as this gives you the opportunity to meet our staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and studying at Leeds.

Invites are sent out by email to all applicants that are made an offer, if you are unable to attend and/or have previously attended an admissions event at Leeds then you can let us know via the booking link included in the applicant day email.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £22,500 (per year)

Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Additional cost information

<p>Because we recognise the value of field experience, the school heavily subsidises or covers transport and accommodation costs for compulsory taught field courses and many optional field trips. You will have to supplement the cost of some optional fields trips.</p>

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships information will be announced soon.

In the School of Geography we take your future very seriously and know that employability is uppermost in many students’ minds. If you choose to study geography at Leeds, you can be confident that you’re not only joining a university whose graduates are targeted by top employers, but that as geography graduates, your employment opportunities couldn’t be more exciting and wide-ranging.

We structure this programme to ensure you develop the key transferable skills sought by graduate recruiters, skills such as: team-working, commercial awareness, report-writing, fluency in oral communication and presentation, numerical analysis, IT expertise and investigative skills.

Students on BA Geography have progressed into:

• GIS roles in retail planning, direct marketing and supply chain and logistics;

• management and consultancy roles in transport planning, graduate training programmes in multinational companies and business consultancy;

• environment and sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and health and safety;

• government, civil service roles, and NGOs;

• financial services such as banking, insurance, accountancy, and auditing;

• property and surveying.

Visit our careers and employability page for more recent graduate destinations.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study Abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Find out more on the Study Abroad website.

Year in Industry

Leeds is one of the few geography departments in the UK to offer a year in industry scheme which allows you to extend your three-year programme to a four-year industrial degree. You don't have to decide to do a placement year before you start your course, you can register your interest with us once you’ve enrolled on the 3-year degree.

This is a fantastic opportunity to add value to your CV, experience the “real world” first-hand and, in many cases, be offered a permanent job with the placement company on graduating. With staff dedicated to helping you to secure a placement that is right for you, and by keeping in close contact with you throughout your placement year, we ensure you get the most out of your time with your chosen company.

Find out more about a Year in Industry.

Ask any of our students and they will tell you that taking part in field trips is one of the most enjoyable and memorable aspects of the geography programmes at Leeds.

We offer field work opportunities at each level of study and they provide a great opportunity to study a fascinating subject in contrasting environments away from the University. During field trips at levels 2 and 3 you will learn essential fieldwork and team working skills, transferable skills that will prove invaluable to your future career. Field trips are also a fantastic way to travel and see new places and to get to know your tutors and other students better.