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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 2024
September 2025
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
A group of students work in the geology lab, using geological maps and rock specimens, and discuss their work.

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.

Top ten in the UK for Teaching on my Course (National Student Survey 2023 – Environmental Sciences), your learning is underpinned by the study of the geological features as they are now and as they were in the past. Our fieldwork destinations across the UK and Europe will provide an essential component to your degree. Previous destinations have included Cumbria, Edinburgh, Tenerife and the Scottish Highlands. 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

  • Fieldwork

  • International students can apply

  • Learn a language option available

  • Sandwich year option available

  • 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.

Compulsory modules:

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Contemporary Geographical Skills
Dynamic Earth
Earth History
Earth Materials
Earth, Climate and Environment

One of:

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Environmental Issues
Language 1

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.

Compulsory modules:

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Digital Geography
Geological Research Methods
Geoscience Techniques
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Sedimentology

Two of:

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Climate and Environmental Change
Landscape Dynamics
Language 2
Work-based learning and Employability

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.

Compulsory modules:

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Dissertation in Geology
Geoenvironmental Engineering
Quaternary Environmental Change

Two of:

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Applied GIS
Coastal Processes and Management
Flood Hazard and Management
Geoenvironmental Management
Language 3
Natural Hazards
Rivers: Past, Present and Future
Visualising Science

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.

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.

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.

Fieldwork in the UK and abroad is one of the most beneficial and enjoyable aspects of this degree. Current fieldwork locations include Cumbria, Edinburgh, Tenerife and the Scottish Highlands. You’ll also enjoy day trips to local destinations.

Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.

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.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

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.

How to apply

Apply full-time

Apply online through UCAS

Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.

International

Apply as an international student

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.

Apply for September 2024 part-time.

Apply for September 2025 part-time.

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.

Did you know?

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

GeoSciences

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,250

a year

UK Part-Time

£77 per credit

for 360 credits

International

£16,500

a year

The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

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.

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.

Track changes to this course

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