Physical Geography & Geology BSc (Hons)
UCAS code: FF68
Our BSc (Hons) Physical Geography & Geology balances present-day physical geography with a strong geology dimension. This means that practical field and laboratory work will be integral to your studies.
Overview
| Course length: | 3 years full-time 6 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2025 September 2026 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Example offers: | BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria |
| Subject(s): | Geography and Geology |
| Faculty: | Arts and Sciences |
| Department: | History, Geography and Social Sciences |
Explore Earth’s history, from its origins to current physical and environmental issues, and responses to them. Our BSc (Hons) Physical Geography & Geology course places practical field and laboratory work at its core. You’ll learn the fundamental techniques of physical geography and geology, becoming familiar with Geographical Information Systems (GIS), digital cartography and graphical software packages.
Your learning is underpinned by the study of the geological features as they are now and as they were in the past. Fieldwork will provide an essential component to your degree. You can also tailor your degree to your interests, with the opportunity to select subject-specific and complementary modules.
After three years of study, you’ll have honed many transferable skills useful for working in public and private sector organisations. You might consider roles in conservation, geological exploration, environmental management or environmental education. To help you plan for life after Edge Hill, our tailored careers and employability activities can help you identify and make your next move.
Course features
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Fieldwork
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International students can apply
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Sandwich year option available
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Studying abroad option available
What you'll study
You’ll build a foundation in physical geography and geology in Year 1. You’ll explore the evolution of the Earth and learn about environmental issues facing the world today. This includes training in techniques you’ll use in the laboratory. Residential fieldwork will provide training in key skills that you’ll be able to apply on your degree.
You’ll cover a range of topics in Year 2, such as Digital Geography and Geoscience Techniques. Your Physical Geography modules cover Landscape Dynamics and Climate and Environmental Change. Lab work will help improve your research skills, in conjunction with a comprehensive fieldwork programme. You will also be encouraged to take on a work placement, with organisations like the British Geological Survey or engineering geology consultants.
For your dissertation, you’ll take advantage of the academic expertise offered by tutors to complete an independent research project on a geological or geographical topic of your choice. And you’ll study specialist modules on Environmental Change, and Engineering Geology. Optional modules cover Natural Hazards, Flood Hazard Management, Coastal Processes and Geoenviromental Management.
How you'll study
Teaching is through fieldwork, laboratory and practical activities, lectures, tutorials, dissertation supervision and directed independent learning. We place an emphasis on strengthening the employability potential of our graduates through the acquisition of a range of subject-specific, key and transferable skills, as well as the development of knowledge and understanding. Fieldwork is one of the most beneficial and enjoyable aspects of this degree.
The course is underpinned by an exploration of Earth’s geological features, both as they are now and as they were in the geological past. In combination, these investigations will provide a unique perspective on our planet and how it changes.
How you'll be assessed
Methods of assessment display your knowledge and understanding and develop and demonstrate your competence in subject-specific and key skills. All modules are assessed by either coursework only or a mixture of coursework and examination. Coursework typically includes practical portfolios, essays, project reports, field-related materials (such as maps and notebooks), individual and group oral presentations, and poster presentations.
Who will be teaching you
We have experienced and knowledgeable staff who take pride in the quality of their teaching. All staff are research active which means that they are very familiar with the latest developments in their areas of interest and pass this knowledge on.
Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.
Entry criteria
Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points, including Geography, Geology, Environmental Science or a related subject. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or Adult Numeracy at Level 2 or above, or equivalent, is also required.
Example offers
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A Level | BBC-BBB. |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) | Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM). |
| T Level | Overall grade of Merit. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. Subject-specific requirements at Higher Level (HL) Grade 5 may apply. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations. |
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
Fair Entry Criteria
Our new Fair Entry Criteria is a Contextual Admissions Policy that takes an applicant’s personal and educational background into account. This policy will allow eligible applicants to receive up to a two-grade reduction in their entry requirements for this course. Find out more and see if you qualify.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.
International
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Part-time applications require a direct application to Edge Hill. Please select the year of entry that you wish to apply for.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
The Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences is based in the Geosciences building. The contemporary facilities combine with a friendly and supportive learning environment to ensure that your studies are a rich and rewarding experience.
The GeoSciences building features a large lecture theatre, small group teaching rooms, IT facilities and smaller tutorial spaces. There is also a large social area which encourages a more informal and interactive style of learning.
Where you'll study
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,535
a year
UK Part-Time
£79 per credit
for 360 credits
International
£17,000
a year
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.
Money Matters
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
Completing this BSc Geography & Geology degree will give you subject-specific and transferable skills. These will make you resourceful across the public and private sectors. Our graduates hold positions like engineering geologist, geotechnical engineer, environmental consultant and GIS technician, working for companies such as:
- WSP
- Jacobs
- AECOM
- Balfour Beatty
- Wardell Armstrong LLP
Wondering where you could work? Organisations like United Utilities, the Environment Agency, DEFRA and OXFAM regularly recruit graduates with a geoscience degree.
You can also look into postgraduate study, which offers an excellent opportunity for you to study an aspect of geology and geography you enjoy. Students on our geography and geology course have followed up their studies with postgraduate training in engineering geology, GIS, or teaching.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
