Geography BSc (Hons) (4 year route including a foundation year at Carmel College)
UCAS code F808
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
Interested in studying a Geography BSc (Hons) degree, but feel that you lack the appropriate science background or have a non-standard academic background? Our foundation year programme has been designed for you.
Introduction
Your foundation year (year zero) is spent at Carmel College, after which your studies will transfer to the main University campus. Carmel College is located in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. The College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement.
During your foundation year you will gain a solid grounding in a range of science subjects including geography and mathematics and will have a choice of chemistry, physics, information technology, or biology modules.
On completing the foundation year, you will choose modules from the Geography BSc (Hons) programme and be based at the main University campus.
For further information on studying a year zero programme at Carmel College, please see the Carmel College website.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. Fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
Find information about what essential and optional modules you will need to take during your Year Zero at Carmel College to progress to your chosen University of Liverpool degree programme in our guide to progression routes
What you'll learn
- Skills needed for independent study at undergraduate degree level
- A variety of learning methods and assessment tasks
- Valuable theoretical knowledge
- Shape your degree with flexible programmes and choice of modules from year one
- Fieldwork opportunities from year one
- Socio-cultural, political, and physical landscape evident within the city region
Accreditation
The Geography BSc (Hons) programme is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).
Accreditation in detail
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is the UK's learned society and professional body for geography.
Routes
- Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
- Environment and Planning BA (Hons)
- Geography BSc (Hons)
- Geography BA (Hons)
- Geography and Oceanography BSc (Hons)
- Geography and Planning BA (Hons)
- Geology with Physical Geography BSc (Hons)
- Urban Planning BA (Hons)
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year zero
Your first year (year zero) is based at Carmel College, St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. The programme, which is moderated by University staff, comprises introductory modules in geography, mathematics and one module chosen from chemistry, physics, information technology, and biology.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
To help you meet the intellectual and practical challenges of studying Geography, our programmes are taught using a student centred approach, involving a range of learning experiences. These include:
- Small tutor groups (typically eight students) through all years
- High levels of field-based learning within the UK and abroad
- An emphasis on active, problem-based learning (‘learning by doing’)
- Hands-on experience of cutting-edge laboratory technologies in physical geography
- Innovative GIS, statistical and qualitative research methodologies and community consultation in human geography
- Supervised independent and group project work, including (for Single Honours degrees) a final year independent research-based dissertation supervised by a dedicated expert in the field.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and fieldwork. The fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective students with disabilities on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
How you're assessed
Assessments are designed around developing skills and styles of communication that will be relevant to future employers. So, in addition to exams and essays, you will also undertake assessments that include computer-based exercises, oral presentations, policy briefs, field projects, and research reports. Single honours Geography students complete a compulsory 10,000-word dissertation in their final year on a topic of their choice. This is your opportunity to develop skills as an independent academic researcher, supported on a one-to-one basis by an expert in the field.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Semester abroad
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Year in industry
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
- Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
- Experience and understand workplace culture and disciple
- Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
- Begin your professional network
- Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
In year zero, you course will be taught at Carmel College, St Helens. From year one, day-to-day teaching takes place in the Central Teaching Laboratory (CTL) and Roxby Building on the University of Liverpool campus. The CTL houses industry-standard equipment, including one of the few staffed map collections in the country, containing over 100,000 maps, 600 atlases, and access to digital data. Your course will be delivered by the Department of Geography and Planning.
Explore where you'll study
Geography Promotional Video
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
I picked geography because of the breadth of the subject. It's one of the few subjects where you can develop an understanding of contemporary social science alongside cutting-edge natural science. Geography is applicable to pretty much every aspect of life. In third year in particular, you get a lot of elective modules with a very broad spectrum and can really satisfy your intellectual intrigue.
Chat with our students
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Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Careers and employability
Geography is a subject that bridges the social and physical sciences. Those studying geography develop transferable knowledge and skills which open up a wide range of career opportunities.
By the time you graduate you will have developed core research skills in human geography, including surveying, interviewing and innovative community liaison techniques stand students in good stead for a range of employment destinations.
You can explore the following work experience opportunities:
- Internships during the course of their degree.
- Work-based dissertation – which combines the final year independent research project with a placement in industry.
Students can also continue their studies at postgraduate level and PhD study with opportunities to apply for funding from a range of organisations, including the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) and NERC (Natural Environment Research Council).
Geography is a subject that bridges the social and physical sciences. Those studying geography develop transferable knowledge and skills which open up a wide range of career opportunities.
Work experience opportunities
We encourage students to undertake work experience and internships during the course of their degree. Our students can also select a work-based dissertation, which combines the final year independent research project with a placement in industry.
Students can also continue their studies at postgraduate level and PhD study with opportunities to apply for funding from a range of organisations, including the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) and NERC (Natural Environment Research Council).