Geography BSc(Hons) with integrated foundation year

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Why choose an integrated foundation year?  

This integrated, preparatory course is suitable for applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications who, for a variety of reasons, may not feel ready to begin study at undergraduate level. This may apply to mature students who have had a break from education and may have vocational experience in addition to academic qualifications. Students who do not have the subject-appropriate A-levels or equivalent qualifications for the undergraduate course may also benefit.

Course structure

Our Geography BSc(Hons) with integrated foundation year degree allows you to develop a programme of study that matches your interests and career ambitions. You will be able to follow a broad combined syllabus with elements of physical, human and environmental geography, or to focus on areas such as geomorphology, landscape change, environmental hazards and environmental management.

Teaching methods consist of lectures, practical classes, fieldwork and seminars, but real-world experience is at the heart of the curriculum. As such you will experience fieldwork throughout the course including a field trip to a destination such as Sicily designed specifically to provide training in biogeography, volcanology and general field techniques. This practical fieldwork component allows you to apply your knowledge to real-world concerns.

Our expert staff will support your subject-specific knowledge development and teach you the research, technical, practical and transferable skills that you need to get you ready for your career. 

Foundation year

During your foundation year you’ll be introduced to key concepts in biology, geography, environment, geoscience and data handling to prepare you for study at undergraduate level. You’ll also develop your practical skills in the lab as well as problem solving, analysis and communication.

The range of topics provide a basis for identifying and providing sound scientific solutions to current and future problems affecting society.

Modules

• Foundation Biology
• Geography, Earth and Environment
• Data Handling
• Study Skills

Year 1

The first year introduces key themes in physical, human and environmental geography, with core modules that cover the physical forces of landscape change, the impacts of environmental change on the physical and human environments and the human modification of environmental processes.

Modules

Core modules

• Fundamentals of Physical Geography

  This module provides a theoretical and practical introduction to azonal (tectonic, climatic, hydrological, fluvial, coastal, slope, aeolian, and biogeographical) and zonal (glacial and periglacial) physical geographical systems. You will examine the ways in which these systems interact with and influence human activities, both at the present day and over archaeological timescales.

• Global Environmental Challenges

  This module introduces pressing global environmental challenges which you'll explore through natural science and social science case studies. The module focuses on scientific, social, economic and political aspects of current and past environmental issues and examines how some of the issues may be addressed through interdisciplinary management and mitigation.

• Human Geography

  This module provides a critical introduction to key themes in human geography. You will develop an appreciation of geographical concepts such as nature, space, place and scale through consideration of geographies of global political-economic change, past and contemporary cultural geographies and geographical imaginations, and social geographies of everyday life.

• Academic Learning and Field Skills

  This module will introduce you to academic study skills, fieldwork skills and transferable skills for geography and environmental sciences. The module will support you in how to learn at university, and in particular, with learning independently. You'll also take part in a residential field course where you will learn field data collection and analysis techniques, methodology design and how to present research findings.

• Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis

  This module introduces techniques used to analyse geographical and environmental data in both the academic and professional worlds. You'll develop the skills and abilities needed to display data graphically and visually, and to assess patterns/relationships through statistical testing, and geospatial display and analysis. You'll become a competent user of statistical software to support and hone your skills, and in the use and application of geospatial/remote sensing data and associated geographical information systems (GIS) software packages.

Options*

• Cities and Social Change

  Explore key concepts, debates and issues in urban geography. The module is an exploration of the character and history of selected modern cities from across the world, examining the conflicts and contradictions inherent in the social experience of the cities and the policies and interventions linked to resolving their problems. We investigate concerns around inclusivity and equity as they impact diverse social groups and will explore the interrelationships between urban development and social change.

• Introduction to Ecology and Conservation

  This module will introduce you to key concepts and principles in both ecology and conservation science – illustrated with case studies. The links between ecology and conservation and also between theory and applied research are emphasised

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2 

In your second year you can choose modules across physical, environmental or human geographies or choose to specialise in physical or environmental geography. Fieldwork includes an overseas trip such as Sicily. 

Modules

• Professional Practice for Global Challenges
• Research and Field Skills

Option modules*

• Earth Surface Processes
• Ice Age Earth
• Human Origins and Evolution
• Environmental Pollution
• Climate Change
• Sustainable Futures
• Critical and Digital Geographies
• Social Justice in Everyday Spaces
• GIS and Remote Sensing: Principles and Practice

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

A placement year offers you a great opportunity to:

• build knowledge of real-world businesses and organisations
• develop existing skills and discover new ones
• make contacts in industry and commerce
• increase your confidence
• improve your time management.

In recent years, our students have been successful in competing for nationally advertised positions with the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Transport for London and the Field Studies Council.

Final year

The focus for the final year of your degree is your independent dissertation. You will work closely with an expert academic to investigate a topic of your choice, applying the research methods and analytical skills covered in your studies. 

Option modules enable you to tailor your programme of study to support your dissertation and your future career aspirations.

Modules

• Dissertation

Option modules*

• Humans of Ice Age Britain
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• The Frozen Planet
• Water, Sanitation and Health
• Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
• Geographies of Genders and Sexualities
• Political Ecology: Contested Environments  
• Confronting Coloniality and Racism: Political Geographies of Territory and Security
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
• Community Engagement

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Meet the team

Professor David Nash (Professor of Physical Geography)

Podcast: Professor Nash talks about his research, the origin of the giant sarsen stones at Stonehenge that made headlines worldwide, as well as the climate crisis.

Find out about the rest of the course team

• Professor James Ebdon
• Dr Georgios Maniatis
• Dr Carl Bonner-Thompson
• Dr Matthew Brolly
• Dr Kevin Wyche

Course fees

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton