BSc Geography

Programme overview

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

Context
BSc Geography at Leeds seeks to provide students with the knowledge and abilities to understand the state of planet Earth, and the skills to shape its future. The degree focuses on the changing face of our planet as a consequence of both natural and human influences.


Structure and content
BSc Geography is a broad-based, flexible programme that addresses key themes of natural hazards, climate change and sustainability during all years of study. Each year of the programme is designed around a combination of compulsory and core modules, and a selection of optional geography modules. Through this wide choice of modules, students can tailor their degree to specialise in physical geography topics, or opt to study a mixture of our physical and human geography modules. Students may also choose to study discovery modules from a wide variety of subjects across the University.

As well as specialist subject knowledge, BSc Geography has a strong focus on the development of skills, with the aim of producing graduates that can identify and solve problems using state of the art tools and techniques. BSc Geography helps students to build transferable skills in: i) presenting ideas, both orally and in writing; ii) data collection, presentation and analysis; and iii) time- and project-management in both team and individual settings.

Opportunities for work-based learning include an optional opportunity year in between Levels 2 and 3, during which students can either studying abroad at one of our partner institutions around the world; or gain full-time work experience in a paid industrial placement. Additionally, at Level 3, dedicated placement modules run alongside classroom modules, and allow students to spend a limited number of hours per week gaining work experience in industry, school teaching or research.

Fieldwork is an important feature throughout the degree programme, and puts theory into practice by allowing students to experience real world learning. Fieldwork is designed to encourage students to develop their own research, plan and manage projects, and to develop teamwork skills. Fieldtrips include both residential and day trips; and travel to destinations across the UK and Europe.


Accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG1000	Planet Under Threat	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)	PFP
GEOG1175	Exploring the Physical Environment	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP
GEOG1400	Digital Geographies	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates have 60 credits of optional modules (including up to 20 credits of discovery modules).

Basket 1: Candidates must choose ONE or TWO of the following core physical geography modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG1040	Dynamic Landscapes	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
GEOG1051	Living Earth	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Basket 2: Candidates may choose NONE or ONE of the following optional human geography modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG1500	Global Geopolitics, Migration and Uneven Development	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG1550	Population, Society and Space	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Discovery Modules

Depending on their selections from baskets 1 and 2, candidates may choose up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG2015	Career Skills in Geography	10	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG2095	Skills for Physical Geographers	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates have 70 credits of optional modules (including up to 20 credits of discovery modules).

Basket 1: Candidates must choose at least ONE of the following core field class modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG2016	European Alps Field Class	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG2017	Mallorca Field Class	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG2018	Portugal Field Class	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Basket 2: candidates must choose at least ONE and may choose TWO OR THREE of the following core physical geography modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG2080	Earth Surface Processes	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG2085	Ecosystems: process, pattern, and change	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
GEOG2090	Climate Systems	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Basket 3: Candidates may choose the following integrated geography module:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG2022	Natural Hazards; Human Disasters	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Basket 4: Candidates may study NONE, ONE or TWO of the following optional human geography modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG2020	Political and Development Geographies	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG2055	Citizenship and Identity: Comparative Perspectives	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
GEOG2915	Geographies of Food	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Discovery Modules

Depending on their selections from the above, candidates may choose up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following final-year research compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG3545	Physical Geography Capstone Project	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP
GEOG3605	Physical Geography Dissertation	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Basket 1: Candidates must choose ONE, TWO, THREE OR FOUR of the following core physical geography modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG3065	Water Science & Management	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
GEOG3631	Geographies of Environmental Complexity: Wicked Problems and a Planet in Flux	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG3669	The Cryosphere	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG3690	Tropical forests and sustainable development	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Basket 2: Candidates may choose the following optional field class module:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG3695	Tenerife Field Class	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Basket 3: Candidates may choose NONE, ONE or TWO of the following optional human geography modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG3221	Geographies of Sustainable Futures: From Theory to Action	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG3290	Geographies of Global Insecurities	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG3691	Healthy Spaces, Risky Places	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
GEOG3965	Data Visualization for Social and Environmental Science	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG3981	Spaces of Migration and Encounter	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG3985	Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Basket 4: Candidates may choose NONE or ONE of the following optional placement modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
GEOG3535	School and Educational Placements	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG3665	Professional Work Placement	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG3675	Geographical Research Opportunities	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Discovery Modules

Depending on their selections from the above, candidates may choose up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Last updated: 30/04/2026 15:59:51

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