Geography BA(Hons)

Overview

As a subject that links natural and social sciences, geography takes a holistic approach in tackling the world's most pressing environmental and social problems. This course will equip you with the necessary intellectual skills to explore and analyse contemporary global issues, and provides opportunities to engage directly with geographical concerns through learning outside the classroom.

Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 6 years
Sandwich: 4 years

UCAS code L7F8
Course content

Course structure

The first year introduces key themes in human, physical and environmental geography, including the impact of socially divergent views of the world, the human modification of environmental processes and the physical forces of landscape change. Key study skills and field research techniques are developed. You may also take options in other areas of social science or languages. In years 2 and 3 a broad range of modules are offered from which you can choose a balanced selection of human and environmental geography. Skills for Research and Careers prepares for your final-year dissertation.
All students undertake fieldwork in years 1 and 2, developing geographical, career-related and personal skills, and applying geographical knowledge to real-world concerns. Recent fieldwork locations have included Greece, southern Spain, Sicily and North Africa, in addition to the immediate environments of Brighton and Sussex.
You will also be encouraged to take the one-year work placement between years 2 and 3.

Areas of study

The course structure allows you to develop a programme of study that matches your interests and future career ambitions. Students are able to follow a broad syllabus with elements of human, physical and environmental geography, or to focus on specific areas such as changing rural and urban landscapes, the politics of place and identity (in studies of gender or disability, for example), environmental and social justice, leisure and tourism, environmental management and sustainable development.

Syllabus

Year 1
Twenty-first Century Brighton
Contemporary Human Geographies
Data Presentation and Analysis for Geographers
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Global Environmental Issues and Management
Introduction to Fieldwork
Skills for Independent Learning
Options
An Introduction to Environmental Hazards
Citizenship for the Environment
Introduction to Independent Learning
Mathematical Skills for Scientists
Understanding Society
Water in the Environment
Modern languages
Year 2
Advanced Data Analysis
Geography Fieldwork, North Africa
Skills for Research and Careers
Options:
Community Engagement: Theory into Practice
Contemporary Rural Geography
Critical Contemporary Geography
Environmental and Spatial Planning
Environmental Conservation and Management
Environmental Hazards
Environmental Pollution and Control
Geographic Information Systems 1
Geographies of Everyday Life
Geographies of Development
Independent Study Module
Sustainable Development
Visual Culture
Alternative and Renewable Energy
Climate Change
Coastal and Aeolian Landscapes
Ice Age Earth
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Soil and Water Analysis
Water in the Landscape
Modern languages
Optional placement year
Final year
Independent Project
Options:
Community Engagement: Theory into Practice
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Politics and Society
Geographies of Disability and Impairment
Geographies of Education
Geographies of Genders, Sexes and Sexualities
Geographies of Sport and Leisure
Geographic Information Systems 2
Independent Study Module
Landscape Geographies
Mediating Science and Technology
Medical Geography
National and Global Media Studies
Political Ecology
Transport, Environment and Society
Air Quality Management
Applied Remote Sensing
Coastal Environments
Energy Assessment
Environmental Change in Low Latitudes
Freshwater Processes and Ecosystems
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Waste Management
Water and Health
Wetland Environments
Modern languages
Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
A-levels:
ABB. Should normally include geography.
International Baccalaureate:
34 points, specified subjects.
QAA-approved access course:
acceptable, subject-specific units.
GCSE (minimum grade C):
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.
Foundation degree/HND
/HNC direct to year 2.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.
Location

Location Moulsecoomb
Career opportunities

With an emphasis on employability, the course provides an effective basis for a variety of career opportunities and postgraduate study. An innovative career planning agreement equips students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take ambitious decisions about their future careers. Recent graduates have secured posts in Geographical Information Systems, retail management, the insurance and banking industry, teaching and in IT procurement.

Visit the careers centre website.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

BA(Hons) Geography [P2EA001]

UK/EU (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
Island Students (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
International (Full Time) 12,500 GBP