Understand how people, places and environments shape one another in this BA Geography degree. You’ll graduate with the knowledge, practical, and transferable skills that employers value, preparing you for your career as a geographer.
Over 3 years, you’ll study both human and physical geography, learning how social, economic, political and cultural forces interact. As you progress you'll have the chance to specialise in human geography with optional modules. This will allow you to personalise your study experience, exploring global challenges like:
environmental affects on health
climate change and weather hazards
social justice, welfare, and rights
migration and development
economic geography
politics and urban space
Practical experience and meaningful application
During your studies you'll use advanced tools like Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to investigate how communities live and work across our interconnected planet. You’ll be taught by world-leading researchers in a top UK geography department. Their research influences global debates on sustainability, health and wellbeing, urbanisation, AI, migration and politics, giving you insight into how geography shapes the world.
Travel opportunities
On this course you'll learn by doing. You'll apply classroom knowledge to environments in the UK and overseas, visiting urban and rural landscapes. There are trips available to take each year in every year. This includes a residential trip to Amsterdam fully covered by your tuition fees and options to visit Berlin, Cambodia or Namibia in later years.
These experiences will deepen your understanding of the relationships between people and place, strengthen your practical research skills, and help you stand out to future employers.
Support and community
You’ll receive dedicated support throughout your degree. Your personal academic tutor will help you plan your studies, choose modules, and explore career goals.
You can also:
gain professional experience through paid internships or a year in employment
spend a semester abroad at one of our partner universities
Our welcoming and supportive also hosts a range of academic and social events all year, providing community and additional opportunities throughout your degree.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. ¸£Àû×ÅÆ¬ out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Studying here is enriching and eye-opening. In Geography specifically, studying has some really amazing experiences such as our first, second, and third year field trips to diverse locations like Amsterdam, Tenerife, and Cambodia.
William Baker
BA Geography
The project brought people together to focus on the incredibly important issue of homelessness. To find a sustainable solution to homelessness as a society, we all need to be on the same page and working on this together.
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, your offer will be: BBB and Grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme: Grades BBC
or
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with minimum 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
or
BTEC
RQF BTEC
DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma. DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in an A-Level subject. D in the Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from 2 A-level subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
QCF BTEC
DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma. DD in BTEC Diploma plus B. D in the Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from 2 A-level subjects.
BTEC contextual
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
or
Show more entry requirements
Access to HE Diploma
Irish Leaving Certificate
Scottish Qualification offers
Cambridge Pre-U
Welsh Baccalaureate
T Level
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credit
Access Offer Contextual
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3
Irish Offer Contextual
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 M2 M2
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer where grade D3 can be used in lieu of grade A or M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.
Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Welsh Baccalaureate
ABB from 3 A Levels if one or more preferred subjects are included or AB from 2 A levels if one or more preferred subjects are included and B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
T-Level
An overall distinction with grade A in the core element in the Science T-Level
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) and Mathematics at minimum grade 4/C.
If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.
If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:
IELTS score requirements
overall score
6.5
reading
6.0
writing
6.0
speaking
6.0
listening
6.0
If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. ¸£Àû×ÅÆ¬ out more about:
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
A foundation programme will give you the language skills and subject knowledge you need if you're not qualified for direct entry to your chosen undergraduate course.
You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the foundation programme.
We welcome applications from learners of all ages. Students who are aged 21 and over at the start of their undergraduate course are defined as mature by the University of Southampton. We take a holistic assessment of the application looking for academic ability and commitment to study. Typical entry requirements, which may vary from discipline to discipline, includes for example, evidence of recent formal academic qualifications or professional qualifications, relevant work experience or volunteering. You may also be invited to attend an interview with an Admissions Tutor. For some degree programmes, there may also be a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirement. We accept many different academic qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
This degree consists of a set of core and compulsory modules and a selection of optional modules. You can choose your options from:
geography
related disciplines such as demography, sociology, politics, social statistics, economics, geology or oceanography
other subjects, such as modern languages
A major part of all our degree programmes is the research project. This involves personal fieldwork or documentary research, in the UK or abroad.
You'll develop your topic with a member of staff who will give ongoing supervision. You'll start the project in your second year, and complete it in your final year.
Year 1 overview
In your first year you'll get a broad academic foundation in human and physical geography. Statistical and computing skills are also an important element in the early part of the degree.
Modules in this year will explore concepts across human and physical geography, with a focus on resilience and sustainability in the context of climate change.
In this year you'll visit the Southampton Cultural Quarter, where you'll examine both human and physical geography topics.
Year 2 overview
In year 2 you'll take core modules in human geography research and start to specialise in geographies focused on areas like:
culture
economy
wellbeing
inequality
You'll learn the basic concepts and techniques behind Geographical Information Systems and be able to take some optional physical geography modules. You can also take up to 2 modules outside geography, for example, looking at global health issues or demographic issues.
In this year you'll have the option to travel to Amsterdam for a residential trip to study human geography research. All travel, food and accommodation on this trip is included in your tuition fee.
Year 3 overview
Your third year offers a broad range of advanced options to choose from. These are based on the research interests of academic staff, and bring you to the frontier of current knowledge in geography.
Whether migration and development, social justice or climate adaptation fascinates you, you'll get a sense of cutting-edge issues and debate.
You'll also have an optional travel opportunity in this year, choosing from Berlin for a human geography focus or Cambodia or Namibia if you want to combine human and physical geography. These trips are at an extra cost.
This is also the year in which you'll complete your final research project
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. ¸£Àû×ÅÆ¬ out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2026 to 2027
Year 1 modules
As well as the optional modules listed here, you can also choose from a range of modules from other disciplines across the University. You'll find more information about module choices in the programme specification under 'About this course'.
As well as the optional modules listed here, you can also choose from a range of modules from other disciplines across the University. You'll find more information about module choices in the programme specification under 'About this course'.
As well as the optional modules listed here, you can also choose from a range of modules from other disciplines across the University. You'll find more information about module choices in the programme specification under 'About this course'.
The learning activities for this course include the following:
lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
21%
Scheduled learning & teaching
79%
Independent learning
How we'll assess you
developing websites
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written and practical exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
41%
Written exam
46%
Coursework
13%
Practical exam
Year 2
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:
21%
Scheduled learning & teaching
79%
Independent learning
How we'll assess you
developing websites
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written and practical exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 2:
22%
Written exam
78%
Coursework
Year 3
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 3:
20%
Scheduled learning & teaching
80%
Independent learning
How we'll assess you
developing websites
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written and practical exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 3:
13%
Written exam
86%
Coursework
1%
Practical exam
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Rishika Mukhopadhyay is the course leader.
Careers and employability
Employability skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
Research
Critical thinking
Self-management
Communication
Teamwork
EDI leadership
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.
Year in employment
You can apply for a year in employment placement on this course. This is a great way to improve your employability and confidence in your career prospects. Recommended by 100% of students who've taken part, you can apply for a UK or global placement in any sector.
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, , is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. ¸£Àû×ÅÆ¬ out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference
We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.