BSc (Hons) Geography

· Year 1
The first year of this course introduces you to the exciting world of Geography at university. You’ll acquire foundational geographical knowledge, understanding and skills. You’ll get a taste of a variety of geographies, and there are plenty of opportunities to do fieldwork, visiting local places such as the Mendip, Somerset Levels and Bristol.

Topics you’ll study include:

· examining contemporary geographical issues

· learning about unfamiliar physical environments and different societies and cultures

· exploring key issues such as development and sustainability

· how to use the technologies, methods, techniques and equipment that geographers need to use.

· Year 2
This year you start to specialise in your geographical interests. Greater emphasis is placed on research methods; you’ll learn a wide range of useful geographical methods and techniques, both in the classroom and in fieldwork settings where you’ll apply your growing mastery of your subject to real-world problems and issues. We also give you the chance to engage with the Royal Geographical Society and other professional bodies as we begin to help you map out potential career paths.

Optional topics include:

· climate change

· geomorphology

· river management

· environmental hazards

· exciting new geotechnologies

· urban geographies of global cities

· work placement or volunteering overseas

· field trip to India

· Year 3
This year you’ll further specialise your geographical interests. You’ll develop your skills as an independent scholar by undertaking primary research that will enable you to demonstrate the theoretical and practical aspects of your geographical interests. Alternatively, you can undertake an extended work placement with a relevant research report. There’s a huge variety in choice in what you do for a dissertation and throughout the study you’ll benefit from one-to-one tuition and expert guidance.

The rest of the third year is made up of more specialised topics, including:

· climatology

· coastal management

· development and disasters

· identities and inequalities in society

· globalisation

· environmental justice

· field trip to Lake District or Barcelona

· community placement

Course assessment

You’ll experience a variety of different assessment methods throughout your degree. These include essays, project reports, presentations, posters, video clips, fieldcraft assessments, reflective items, time-constrained tests and examinations. These will give you a rich and diverse skills learning experience, be of real benefit in the search for a good career, and be useful in your professional activities.