Geography with International Year MSci (Hons)

First year

The modular structure allows you maximum flexibility in developing your own interests without channeling you into decisive choices too early. In the first year you will be exposed to the main principles of human and physical geography, to global environmental issues, and various practical skills. You will also explore contemporary urban issues using Birmingham as a real-world laboratory. The first semester includes residential fieldwork in human and physical geography.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Contemporary Human Geography
• Global Environmental Issues
• Environmental Research Frontiers
• Research methods, field work, and data analysis
• Tutorials and Study Skills for Geographers
• Widening Horizons Module
• Statistical Methods and Applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

During the second year you will be introduced to specialist techniques such as computer cartography and the use of databases and spreadsheets. You learn how to develop a research proposal, which may be the starting point for your dissertation in the final year. Training in more advanced fieldwork skills is provided by courses held in European centres. You also choose from optional modules in many different branches of Geography.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Statistical Methods and Applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Research Methods for Physical Geography
• Research Labs and Fieldwork: Theory and Practice - Physical Geography and Environmental Science

Optional modules - Example optional modules may include:

• Geomorphology and Palaeoenvironments
• Catchment Water and Soil Management
• Ecological Systems
• Hydroclimatology: Climate and Water
• Environmental Assessment and Management
• Geological Natural Hazards
• Social Geographies
• Political Geographies (Sovereignties in a Changing World)
• Cultural Geographies
• Development Geographies
• Urban Policy Design and Planning Analysis
• City Challenges and Policy Responses

You will spend the third year of the course overseas following the degree programme of one of our partner institutions.

Year 3

You will spend the third year of the course overseas following the degree programme of one of our partner institutions.

The MSci provides a natural continuation to your first three years of study and allows you further your studies in human geography (city & modernity, geopolitics & globalisation, local economic development), physical geography (meteorological applications, hydrological & biogeochemical processes, river restoration) and environmental assessment or indeed a mixture of the disciplines.

Year 4

Human Geography pathway

Compulsory Modules

• Project
• Doing Human Geography
• Theoretical Themes for Geographers
• Hydrogeomorphology and Catchment Management

Optional Modules - Example optional modules may include:

• Geopolitics and Globalisation
• City and Modernity
• Creative Economies and Creative Cities

Physical Geography pathway

Compulsory Modules

• Project
• Advanced Geographic and Environmental Research

Optional Modules - Example optional modules may include:

• Meteorological Applications and Services
• Atmospheric Observations
• Environmental Analysis and Modelling
• Advances in Water Science and River Management

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2020. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules after that date; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.