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Geography BSc (Hons) (4 year route including a foundation year at Carmel College)

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Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2024 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2024.

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There are fourteen courses related to Geography BSc (Hons) (4 year route including a foundation year at Carmel College) that you might be interested in.

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Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate programme in the sciences.

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Course overview

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).

Accreditations in detail

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Accreditations

The Geography BSc (Hons) programme is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

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.

Our curriculum

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.

What's available on this course?

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

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

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

Read more about studying a language

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.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

What students say...

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.

, BSc (Hons) Geography

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).

90% of geography and planning students from the University of Liverpool are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.

Discover Uni, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Foundation year fee £7,500
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
This course is not available to international students.

Following the foundation years, standard course fees apply.

Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. For Geography students, the cost of compulsory field classes and laboratory work is included, but additional costs such as a laptop, books, or equipment should be considered. Optional field classes in year three will incur additional costs ranging from approximately £800-£1300 depending on location.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. For Geography students, the cost of compulsory field classes and laboratory work is included, but additional costs such as a laptop, books, or equipment should be considered. Optional field classes in year three will incur additional costs ranging from approximately £800-£1300 depending on location.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

T levels

T levels considered in a relevant subject and specialism.

Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.

GCSE All applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Mathematics and two Sciences (any two of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or Core and Additional Science/Dual Science acceptable). Applicants over 21 can be considered on GCSEs alone.
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you.

Contextual offers: reduced grade requirements

Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

Changes to Geography BSc (Hons) (4 year route including a foundation year at Carmel College)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.

19 April 2023: Progression routes updated

Progression routes updated and added to the Overview section.