University of Brighton
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Physical Geography and Geology
BSc(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    Part-time: 6 years

    With placement year 4 years

    UCAS code FF86

    Professional accreditation

    This course is accredited by the Geological Society of London.

    About the course

    Bringing together aspects of pure and applied geology and linking them to physical geography this course explores the diverse controls on our planet and its internal and external processes. Natural resources, environmental change and the impact of geology on environmental management, construction and planning are particularly emphasised.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. Individual offers may vary

    UCAS tariff:
    BBB. Should include geography or a science subject.

    BTEC
    DDM.

    International Baccalaureate:
    32 points, specified subjects.

    Access to HE Diploma
    pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 18 credits at merit or above. Must include level 3 units in geography or science.

    GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
    at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.

    Foundation degree/HND
    /HNC may enable you to start the course in 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.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    Study comprises lectures, practical classes, fieldwork and seminars. Fieldwork is a key part of the course and residential field courses are held in Yorkshire, Wales, Sicily and Cyprus.

    Year 1 introduces geology, physical geography and the global environment, and you will develop a foundation of knowledge for subsequent study. In year 2 and the final year, the course offers considerable choice amongst the available modules in geology and physical/environmental geography. You are encouraged to spend a year on placement, gaining industrial experience, after year 2.

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    Physical Geography
    Global Environment Issues and Management
    Minerology and Petrology
    Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
    Mathematical Skills for Geoscientists
    Data Presentation and Analysis
    The Global Earth System
    Geology field courses in South Wales and Yorkshire

    Year 2
    Research and Career Skills for Geoscientists
    Geography field course in Sicily
    Geographical Information Systems
    Applied Palaeontology

    Options including:
    Structure of the Earth and Global Processes
    Structural Geology
    Environmental Geochemistry
    Earth Resources
    Sedimentology
    Igneous and Metamorphic Processes
    Coastal and Aeolian Processes
    Soil and Water Analysis
    Water in the Landscape
    Ice Age Earth
    Environmental Conservation and Management
    Environmental Hazards
    Climate Change
    Sustainable Development

    Optional placement year

    Final year
    Physical geography or geology dissertation project

    Options (Eight from a selection including):
    Dryland Environments
    Wetland Environments
    Coastal Environments
    Environmental Change in Low Latitudes
    Environmental Assessment
    Hazards in Cold Environments
    Freshwater Processes and Ecosystems
    Air Quality Management
    Water and Health
    Applied Remote Sensing
    Evolution and the Fossil Record
    Geohazards
    Geology of Major Civil Engineering Projects
    Exploration Geology
    Oceanography
    Hydrogeology
    Environmental Geology/Professional Practice
    Global Petrogenesis
    Planetary Geology
    Geology field course in Cyprus

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    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.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.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.

    BSc(Hons) Physical Geography and Geology  [P8EG004]
    UK/EU (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    International (Full Time)12,900 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

    Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront
  • Career opportunities

    The range of earth science and transferable skills provides an effective basis for careers in the water, extraction, and construction industries; in teaching, planning, and promoting earth science heritage; in environmental management and remediation of contaminated land; and in business and financial areas. The degree is also an excellent basis for postgraduate study. Our employment record is excellent and recent graduates have quickly found employment, or have been offered places on taught masters-level courses or PhD programmes.

    Visit the careers service website.

Applying for 2013 entry

We have limited places available on this course.

Please call us for advice 01273 644644

International applicants should call
+44 (0)207 250 6749

Find out more

01273 642288
Email entec@brighton.ac.uk

If you are an international student, contact us on:

+44 (0) 207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk


 

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