BSc (Hons)
Undergraduate degree - single or combined honours
On this accredited Geography degree, you’ll learn how to understand, analyse and manage some of the most critical global issues facing contemporary society. You’ll engage with topics such as:
Throughout the programme you’ll learn in a variety of settings and formats, helping you to develop the skills and knowledge to prepare you for a wide range of future careers. This includes lectures, laboratory practicals, computer-based workshops and discussion seminars.
You’ll have the opportunity to develop fieldwork skills on our beautiful Newton Park campus, in Bath, Bristol and the surrounding region, and on international trips to Italy and Spain.
Our small class sizes allow students to learn in a supportive setting, while our practical classes and fieldwork allow for hands-on experiential learning. You’ll develop sought after skills in mapping, surveying and geospatial data analysis, using up to date geotechnologies including Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
During your second year you can choose to spend an optional semester abroad at one of our partner universities in Portugal, Australia, Ireland, Canada or the United States. You can also gain career relevant real-world experience by undertaking an optional work placement module or Professional Placement Year.
In your final year you’ll undertake a dissertation research project on a topic of your choosing in either human or physical geography, under the supervision of one of our team of expert lecturers. Throughout your degree you’ll have opportunities to learn about and engage with your lecturers’ current research. This includes topics such as:
Find out more about Geography at BSU on Instagram, or read all about our students' experiences:
"The friendly and approachable faculty staff and the compact size of the university made it easy to make friendships and integrate into university life"
Harry Watts, BSc (Hons) Geography graduate (2023)
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.
In order to qualify, this course ensures that graduates meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.
Fieldwork and experiential learning are key components of our Geography programme. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in optional fieldtrips to Italy (second year) and Spain (third year). These trips allow you to develop skills in human and physical geography while also enhancing your global cultural awareness.
Some modules also include fieldwork in the local area. This includes field days on our stunning Newton Park campus in Bath, where we can study topics such as hillslope instability, stream flows and historical landscapes, as well as fieldtrips to other locations across the South West region.
To find out more about our field trips, and other activities, follow Bath Spa Geography on Instagram.
Please note that our field trip destinations are subject to regular review to ensure effective learning outcomes, cost effectiveness and sustainability. Destinations may be subject to change.
During your second year you can choose to undertake an optional semester abroad at one of our partner universities. Our current partners for Geography are:
Please note that our list of partners is regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain a good fit for our students. This list may be subject to change. More information on study abroad opportunities is available here.
Our Geography degree is designed to teach you about a broad range of topics and to provide you with the opportunity to specialise in either human or physical geography, or to combine both.
You’ll learn from expert lecturers who are active researchers engaging with pressing global challenges including natural hazards, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation in Europe, Asia, North America, Central America, and Africa.
You’ll have the chance to experience international field trips and a work placement, through which you’ll develop practical transferable skills that are applicable to a variety of careers.
Year one
Your first year helps you to transition to university-level Geography by establishing foundational skills and knowledge. You’ll develop these basic skills and knowledge through modules in both human and physical geography covering topics such as cities, environmental change and sustainable development.
Year two
In your second year, you’ll develop more specialist knowledge and skills. In core modules you’ll develop your understanding of the discipline of geography, and learn geospatial data collection and analysis skills that can be used in a wide variety of careers.
Optional modules enable you to specialise in topics in human or physical geography, such as:
You’ll also start to plan for your career, with an opportunity to undertake an optional work placement module.
The optional field trip to Italy offers a unique opportunity to explore geographical themes in a highly dynamic, real-world context. On this trip you’ll learn about a range of topics such as earthquake disasters, flood hazards, air quality and pollution, climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, regional development, sustainability, and urban geographies. You’ll also have opportunities to experience the regional diversity, food and culture of Italy.
Please note that some of our field trips may incur additional costs on top of your course fees. Financial support for field trip costs may be available via the Bath Spa University International Travel Fund.
You can choose to undertake an optional Professional Placement Year between your second and final years.
Year three
You’ll complete a final year independent research project (supervised by one of our expert lecturers), allowing you to conduct a piece of original geographical research on a topic of your choosing.
Students have undertaken their final year dissertation projects in locations across the UK, as well as in countries such as Canada, Kenya and Uganda.
You’ll have a choice of optional modules that give you the opportunity to continue to specialise in human or physical geography, exploring topics such as:
An optional field trip to Spain allows you to study how local communities are engaging with issues such as climate change, water resource management, regenerative agriculture and sustainable development.
You’ll be assessed through a variety of engaging and challenging assessment formats designed to help you to develop key skills and to prepare for your future career or postgraduate study.
Your assessments will depend on the modules you choose, but may include a mix of essays, projects, reports, posters, presentations, video clips, field or lab-based activities, portfolios or reflective commentaries.
Most modules are assessed primarily through coursework and assessment rather than tests or exams.
You'll complete many of your assessments as an individual, but there are also some group projects designed to help you to develop essential collaborative working skills.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASk, the Academic Skills Service.
You’ll be taught in lectures, workshops and seminars, with small groups that enable discussion and collaborative learning. You’ll develop your skills using our on-campus laboratories and specialist equipment.
You’ll also have opportunities to develop fieldwork skills both in the UK and overseas.
To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.
This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules available to you will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.
We also offer the following closely related degree programmes:
As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.
There are optional residential field trips in second and third year. Our current field trip destinations are Italy (second year) and Spain (third year).
Some modules also include fieldwork in the local area including, on our beautiful Newton Park campus.
Please note that you'll have to make a financial contribution towards the cost of residential field trips.
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in your second year and a community engagement placement in your final year, as well as the option to undertake a professional placement year between your second and final year.
Students have completed placements in the UK and in locations such as Madagascar, Guatemala, Thailand, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and the Cayman Islands. Students have worked with public and private sector organisations in a variety of fields including local and national government, research and policy, advocacy, sustainability and conservation.
Guest speakers from industry and previous graduates contribute to your learning experience throughout the course. This insightful engagement with potential employers will help you make those all-important career decisions when you graduate.
You’ll graduate from this degree prepared for a diverse range of careers in sectors such as research, consultancy, urban planning, business, education, surveying, geographical information systems, government, or non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The course also provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to progress to postgraduate study in a wide range of fields. Our graduates have undertaken postgraduate study in fields such as disaster management, climate change adaptation, sustainability, environmental management, environmental humanities, urban planning, education, public health and law.
Whatever your aspirations, our aim is that the real-world experience you gain on this course will set you up to take on diverse challenges, and to thrive in doing so.
If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.
You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.
Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.
The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.
By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.
Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.
As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.
You’ll be taught using our specialist facilities on our Newton Park campus in Bath as well as at field sites around the South West region and overseas.
You’ll benefit from our excellent resources including laboratories, field tools, and a suite of IT hardware/software, all supported by a highly-skilled team of technicians. These include:
"One of the most important elements of the course was the development of transferable skills that I now use on a daily basis and I think employers look for when reviewing candidates."
Matt Davies, BSc (Hons) Geography
| Student | Annual tuition fee |
|---|---|
| UK full time | £9,535 |
| UK part time | £4,768 |
| International full time | £16,460 |
During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.
You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits. Please check the course Programme Document (linked under the main image on this page) for details of any additional costs. You can also read our Additional Course Costs Policy for further information.
Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.
We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated students who are interested in understanding the environmental, social, economic and cultural issues facing the world today. We accept a broad range of traditional qualifications and less conventional routes into education – we welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds.
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:
If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.
English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants
IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.
Course enquiries
For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.
Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.
Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.
Programme Leader: Dr Jim Jeffers
Email: j.jeffers@bathspa.ac.uk
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.
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