BSc Geography allows you to study the Earth’s varied and dynamic environments while tackling real‑world global challenges through fields such as ecology, hydrology, pollution science and climate change.
We’ve been teaching Geography for more than 130 years. Our wide-ranging program reflects the diverse, international research expertise of our academic staff. You will have the flexibility to study both Physical and Human Geography throughout your degree and specialize as you wish, creating the best degree to suit you.
In first year, you’ll get a solid grounding in different areas of Physical and Human Geography. This year gives you the foundations for the rest of your degree and a flavor of the sorts of Geographies we do. You can also choose a ‘free choice’ from other courses across the University to maintain an even broader degree.
In second year, you’ll develop more research and employability skills, with a wide range of module options and targeted training. Now you can specialize in just Physical Geography or maintain a balance across Physical and Human Geography. You will also undertake your residential field trip and start planning your independent dissertation.
In final year, you’ll specialize in advanced, cutting-edge courses closely aligned to our research expertise, again in just Physical Geography or across Human Geography too. Recent examples in Physical Geography have focused on Peatlands, Biogeography, the Cryosphere, Drylands, Pyrogeography, Mediterranean Environments, and Understanding GIS. You will undertake and work on your dissertation with your dedicated adviser and prepare for your next steps in work or further study.
#### Support
You get lots of help along the way from our academic staff. You’ll have a personal tutor throughout your degree to offer regular guidance and support, and an additional expert dissertation adviser in the second half of your degree to assist you in designing and undertaking an original, independent research dissertation. There is also lots of skills training embedded throughout the degree to give you the geographic tools you need for your degree and beyond.
We pride ourselves on being a close-knit department of students and staff, including the Manchester University Geographical Society (MUGS), a society run by Geography students for Geography Students.
#### Fieldwork
Fieldwork is a highlight of the degree for many of our students and all field trips are included within your tuition fees, giving everyone the opportunity to develop observation and analysis skills in new environments.
Our pre-course trip to Keswick in the Lake District is a long-running Manchester Geography tradition. The trip takes place over three days in the week before Welcome Week in September. It’s a valuable opportunity to make new friends on your course, get to know your new academic staff, and learn some geographic techniques in the field.
You will also go on one of our second-year, week-long residential field trips abroad, currently to the Pyrenees, Morocco, Crete, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or Prague. We also run lots of local one-day field visits throughout the degree.