GeographyBSc Honours

UCAS code F8003 Years

www.ncl.ac.uk/ug/F800Printed from the web page above on 05/07/2018

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GeographyBSc HonoursUCAS code F8003 Years

Our Geography BSc Honours degree offers anextremely flexible study programme, and issuitable for students studying a science A level(or equivalent).

You can select from a wide range of topics spanning humanand physical geography, such as:

• climate and environmental change• natural hazards• geopolitics and uneven development• the effect of social and economic change

You will enjoy fieldwork in both the UK and abroad, withfield visits ranging from nearby Northumberland to Iceland,New Zealand, Ireland and Morocco.

A dissertation in your third year enables you to showcaseyour skills to employers by conducting your own researchalongside our highly respected research staff.

Highlights of this degreeQuality and rankingGeography at Newcastle is highly regarded. We rank:

• top 10 in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times GoodUniversity Guide 2018 (Geography and EnvironmentalScience category)

• 6th in the UK for student satisfaction (94% overallsatisfaction score) – National Student Survey 2017

• top 100 – Geography category – QS World UniversityRankings by Subject 2018

• top 200 – Social Sciences category – Times HigherEducation World University Rankings by Subject 2018

• 10th in the UK for research – Research ExcellenceFramework 2014

Professional accreditation*This degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society(with IBG). Accredited degrees contain a solid academicfoundation in geographical knowledge and skills, andprepare you to address the needs of the world beyondhigher education.

*All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly bytheir professional body.

Boost your employability with a work placementApply to spend 9 to 12 months on anoptional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. Youcan apply to spend your placement year with anyorganisation and will receive University support to do so.

You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector,putting your learning into practice and developing yourprofessional expertise.

It will extend your degree by a year and is subject toavailability, however it isn't available if you're spending ayear studying abroad.

Find out more about Work Placements.

FieldworkFieldwork is a particular focus of Geography at Newcastle,which integrates experiential learning ('learning by doing') atevery Stage.

Newcastle is located in a geographically rich region, bringingto life topics such as industrial change and the conservationof rivers, wetlands and coastal areas under climate change.

There is fieldwork embedded through the degree, includingday excursions. In your first year, there is an optionalresidential physical geography field trip to the Lake District.

In the second year, you undertake a field course elements ofeconomic, political and social geography from a choice ofresidential and non-residential destinations, currentlyincluding:

• Berlin• Borneo• Copenhagen• Hong Kong• Iceland• Ireland• New Zealand• Barcelona• Cyprus• Morocco

Find out more about geography fieldwork at Newcastle inthe Geography section of the School's website.

Expeditions and study abroad

ExpeditionsWe encourage you to organise your own expeditions.Previous Newcastle University expeditions have beencarried out in a wide range of countries including:

• Brazil, Peru and Chile• Iceland, Greenland and Norway• Kazakhstan• Kenya and Ghana• Tibet• the Philippines

See the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology’swebsite for details of previous expeditions by our students.

The University Expedition Committee may be able to providefunding towards a student-led expedition to carry outresearch.

You may also apply for funding from The Sonia StonehouseExpedition Fund (SSEF) to assist with overseas fieldwork, aspart of your compulsory dissertation in physical or humangeography.

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Study abroadYou have the chance to broaden your academic experienceby taking part in a study exchange abroad.

At Stage 2 or 3 you may undertake a five-month exchangeat one of our partner institutions. This could be in Europe(some institutions teach in English) , or beyond (America,Australia, Singapore).

Our research reputationThroughout its near 90-year history, Geography atNewcastle has developed a leading international reputationfor research.

We are ranked 10th overall in the UK forresearch (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

All of our academic staff are active researchers, contributingto a vibrant research environment that you will be part of.

Our research engages with the key societal, economic andenvironmental challenges of our time, focusing on real-worldchallenges such as climate change, natural hazards,economic development and sustainability.

Through our insightful, research-led degrees, you willgraduate with a highly developed understanding of thechanging world around us and the specialist skills toaddress the key societal, economic and environmentalchallenges facing us today.

Facilities and support

FacilitiesAs a geography student at Newcastle, you will be based inthe School of Geography, Politics and Sociology.

We have a series of state-of-the-art laboratories plus lecturetheatres and learning spaces:

• Geomorphology Laboratory• Cosmogenic Isotope Laboratory• Spatial Analysis Laboratory• Chemistry Laboratory

SupportTo help you get the most out of university life, you'll haveaccess to a range of support, including:

• a personal tutor throughout your degree• a student mentor in your first year

You'll also benefit from our:

• extended induction programme, to help you quickly settlein to our lively community of staff and students

• activities and events run by our highly active student-runsociety, GeogSoc

BA or BSc?We offer geography as either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or aBachelor of Science (BSc) degree.

Your choice of programme depends on the subjects youstudied at A level (or equivalent):

• if you have taken a science A level (or equivalent) you willbe eligible to study the BSc

• if you have not taken a science A level (or equivalent) youwill be eligible to study the BA

Students on both degrees can choose from the same rangeof modules.

We welcome students from all over the world.

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Course Details

Modules for 2018 entry

Please noteThe module and/or programme information below isfor 2018 entry. Our teaching is informed by research andmodules change periodically to reflect developments inthe discipline, the requirements of external bodies andpartners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers ofstudents interested (in an optional module). To find outmore read our terms and conditions.Module/programme information for 2019 entry will bepublished here as soon as it is available (end of May2019).Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts foran academic year and you need to complete modulestotalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Furtherinformation, including the credit value of the module, isavailable in each of the module descriptions below.

Stage 1

Compulsory modulesGEO1010  Interconnected WorldGEO1018  Geographical AnalysisGEO1020  Introduction to Physical GeographyGEO1096  Geographical SkillsYou will take at least 20 credits from the followingmodules:GEO1005  Environmental IssuesGEO1015  Contemporary Human Geography of the UKOptional modulesYou choose 20 credits of optional modules from the listbelow:GEO1019  Physical Geography Field CoursePOL1032  Introduction to International PoliticsSOC1027  Comparing CulturesSPA1065  Level A (HE Entry Level) Spanish ISPA1071  Level B (HE Intermediate) SpanishCEG1702  Geographic Information SystemsCEG1706  Principles of Remote Sensing

Stage 2

Compulsory modulesIf you are following a primarily human geographypathway, you take:GEO2043  Key Methods for Human Geographers

Stage 2

GEO2111  Doing Human Geography Research: Theoryand PracticeIf you are following a primarily physical geographypathway, you take:GEO2127  Doing Physical Geography Research: Theoryand PracticeGEO2137  Key Methods for Physical GeographersIt is possible to take all four of the modules above (one ona not-for-credit basis) if you have not yet finalised yourpreference for human or physical geography.You also take one of the following fieldtrip modules:GEO2037  Ireland FieldtripGEO2052  Physical Geography Fieldcourse 2: IcelandGEO2100  Migration, Belonging and Everyday GeopoliticsContested Geographies of New York CityGEO2124  The Creative and Knowledge-basedEconomy: Berlin FieldcourseGEO2125   Fieldwork at HomeGEO2128  Comparative Urbanism and Central Europe:Vienna and Bratislava FieldcourseGEO2139  Exploring Everyday Political Geographies in aDivided City: NicosiaGEO2224  Sustainable Urban Development: BarcelonaFieldcourseGEO2225  Citizenship in a Global City: Hong KongFieldcourseOptional modulesYou choose three modules from the following list:GEO2047  Political GeographyGEO2099  Economic GeographyGEO2103  Development and GlobalisationGEO2110  Social GeographiesGEO2136  Global Environmental ChangeGEO2138  Community Volunteering: A GeographyPerspectiveGEO2226  Glacial EnvironmentsGEO2228  BiogeographyGEO2229  River Catchment DynamicsInstead of optional modules, you may take the followingmodule with permission from the DPD:GEO2112  Student Exchange Semester 2Other optional modules may also be available (maximum20 credits outside Geography), including thoserecommended below:CEG1702  Geographic Information SystemsCEG2606  Geological ResourcesPOL2022  Government and Politics of the USAPOL2082  Political Violence and the Modern StateNCL2007  Career Development for Second-yearStudentsARA2004  Animals, Plants and People: an Introduction toEnvironmental ArchaeologyWork Placement (optional)

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Stage 2

You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optionalwork placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can applyto spend your placement year with any organisation andwill receive University support to do so. It will extend yourdegree by a year and is subject to availability. It isn'tavailable if you're spending a year studying abroad. Findout more about Work Placements.Year 3 (Placement Year)On completion of Stage 2 and before entering Stage 3,you may as part of your studies for the degree spend ayear in a placement with an approved organisation.Permissions to undertake a placement is subject to theapproval of the Degree Programme Director. Studentswho are required to re-sit their Stage 2 assessment mustdelay the start of their placement until they have done so.Students who fail Stage 2 may not complete a placementyear.NCL3000  Careers Service Placement Year Module

Stage 3

Compulsory modulesGEO3099  Dissertation ORGEO3098  Dissertation for Study Abroad Students (iftaking GEO3115)Optional modulesYou choose 80 credits of modules, normally from thefollowing list:GEO3041  Geographies of CommoditiesGEO3063  Militarism: Space and SocietyGEO3102  GeopoliticsGEO3110  Tectonic GeomorphologyGEO3114  Local and Regional DevelopmentGEO3117  Global Water ResourcesGEO3128  Polar EnvironmentsGEO3130  Mapping the City: The Urban Form,Transformation and ExperienceGEO3135  Geographies of Gender and GenerationGEO3136  Applied Geomorphology and Natural HazardsGEO3141  Cities of the Global SouthGEO3143  Community Volunteering: A GeographyPerspectiveGEO3145  Humanitarianism: Representation, Interventionand RescueGEO3146  Geographies of Working LivesGEO3147  PalaeoclimatesGEO3148  Emotional Geographies of Everyday LifeGEO3149  Geographies of Film, Representation andCritical SpectatorshipGEO3150  Participatory Research and DevelopmentGEO3151  Geographies of HealthYou may take the following module with permission fromthe DPD:GEO3115  Student ExchangeOther optional modules may also be available, includingthose recommended below:ARA3004  Geoarchaeology

Stage 3

CEG2609  Research Methods for Environmental PollutionNCL3007  Career Development for Final-yearStudents ORNCL3008  Advanced Career Development

Teaching and assessment

Study at the cutting edgeThe research findings of our staff are integrated into thecurriculum of our degrees, allowing us to offer you anextremely broad range of topics at the forefront of currentissues in geography.

We focus on real-world challenges such as climate change,natural hazards, economic development and sustainability,so you are prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

Teaching methodsAll of our geography courses enjoy a high level of staff andstudent interaction, including:

• tutorials• lectures• laboratory work• seminars.

All modules also require a considerable amount ofindependent study, culminating in a dissertation underexpert supervision in Stage 3.

Assessment methodsYou'll be assessed by a combination of examinations andcourse work.

Course work may include reports, essays, presentationsand data analysis.

Find out moreVisit our Teaching & Learning pages to read about theoutstanding learning experience available to all students atNewcastle University.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis.

If your qualifications are not listed here, please see ouradditional entry requirements web pages to find out whichother qualifications are considered.

The entrance requirements below apply to 2019 entry.

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A LevelsAAB-ABB including Geography and at least onescience-related subject from Maths, Physics, Chemistry,Biology and Geology. General studies is not accepted. ForBiology, Chemistry and Physics A levels, we require a passin the practical element. GCSE Mathematics is required(minimum grade C or 4) if not offered at a higher level.

Scottish QualificationsAAABB-AABBB at Higher Grade including Geography andpreferably Mathematics and/or at least one otherscience-related subject from Mathematics, Chemistry,Physics, Biology. Combinations of Highers and AdvancedHighers accepted. Mathematics required at National 5,minimum grade C (or Standard Grade or Intermediate 2equivalent) if not offered at Higher Grade.

Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

International Baccalaureate32-35 points with Geography at Higher Level grade 6 orabove. Standard Level Mathematics or MathematicalStudies required at grade 4 if not offered at Higher Level.

Irish Leaving CertificateH1H1H1H2H3-H1H1H2H2H3 at Higher Level, includingGeography and at least one science-related subject fromMathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology.

Access Qualifications30 level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 level 3 at Merit. Atleast 15 level 3 credits in a geographical-based subject andat least 15 level 3 credits in a science-related subject arerequired. GCSE Mathematics at minimum grade C or 4required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National ExtendedDiploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3Extended DiplomaApplicants will be considered on an individual basis.

Cambridge Pre-UD3,D3,M2-D3,M2,M2 in Principal Subjects includingGeography and at least one science-related subject fromMathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology. GCSEMathematics is required (minimum grade C or 4) if notoffered at a higher level.

Extended Project QualificationWe welcome applications from students offering anExtended Project and value the skills of research andindependent learning that it is designed to develop.  If youoffer an Extended Project, it will be taken into account aspart of your application profile, but we will not usuallyinclude it in offer conditions for this degree programme.

PARTNERS - A LevelsBBB including Geography and at least one science-relatedsubject from Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology andGeology. General studies is not accepted. For Biology,Chemistry and Physics A levels, we require a pass in thepractical element. GCSE Mathematics is required (minimumgrade C or 4) if not offered at a higher level.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

PARTNERS - Pearson BTEC Level 3 NationalExtended Diploma/OCR Cambridge TechnicalLevel 3 Extended DiplomaApplicants will be considered on an individual basis.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

English Language RequirementsApplicants whose first language is not English require aminimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

If you need help to meet our English Languagerequirements, we can provide support with extra tuition.

Read more about UK visas and immigration requirements.

Other International QualificationsABB at A level is typically the minimum required for entry toan undergraduate course. You can check the equivalentgrades for qualifications offered in your country.

We will also consider your application if you have lower ornon-standard qualifications.

Undergraduate Admissions Policy

See our 2018 Admissions Policy (PDF: 185 KB).

See further policies related to admission.

Careers

Geography careersOur graduates’ excellent employment record is a sign of theflexibility and professionalism that our geography degreesdevelop.

The range of skills that geographers acquire is much soughtafter by employers, and our graduates therefore haveaccess to a wide variety of careers.

Our degrees provide experience of a host of general skillsincluding written and oral presentation, teamwork, project

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management, problem solving, numeracy, computing,mapping and graphics and research skills.

Geographers are adaptable, and their broad understandingand range of approaches to the world and its problems arerelevant to many different jobs.

Many of our graduates enter careers in recruitment,marketing, PR, insurance, research, and businessmanagement, as well as in the not-for-profit sector. Otherscontinue their studies in areas including real estate, townplanning and education.

Find out more about the career options for Geography fromProspects: The UK's Official Careers Website.

What our graduates go on to do:employment and further studychoicesSee what our recent graduates went on to do and viewgraduate destinations statistics. These statistics are basedon what graduates were doing on a specific date,approximately six months after graduation. Take a look atthe most recent data available for our graduates.

The destination data is available in varying levels, beginningwith the University and moving through Faculty and Schooldown to individual course reports. This final level may giveyou some useful ideas about possible options after yourcourse or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability atNewcastleNewcastle University consistently has one of the bestrecords for graduate employment in the UK.

95% of our 2016 UK-domiciled graduates progressedto employment or further study within six months ofgraduating.

Of our graduates who entered employment more than threequarters (78%) achieved a professional or managerialposition.

We provide an extensive range of opportunities to allstudents through an initiative called ncl+. This enables youto develop personal, employability and enterprise skills andto give you the edge in the employment market after yougraduate.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest andbest in the country, and we have strong links withemployers.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees (UK students)

2019 entry*:£9,250 (subject to approval of our Access Agreement bythe Office for Students (OfS) in July 2018).For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.2018 entry*:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UKstudents is set by the UK government.As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

2019 entry*:£9,250 (subject to approval of our Access Agreement bythe Office for Students (OfS) in July 2018). You will paythe same tuition fees as UK students for the duration ofyour course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.2018 entry*:£9,250. You will pay the same tuition fees as UK studentsfor the duration of your course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

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Tuition Fees (EU students)

**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (International students)

2019 entry:Tuition fees for 2019-20 have not yet been confirmed.2018 entry*:£16,800 per year*Please note:You will be charged tuition fees for each year of yourdegree programme (unless you are on a shorterexchange programme).If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad aspart of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for thatyear.The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightlyyear on year as a result of inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UKstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support (EUstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

We offer our Vice-Chancellor's InternationalScholarships and Vice-Chancellor's ExcellenceScholarships to eligible international students.We also offer International Family Discounts which areavailable for all international students with a close familymember who has graduated from or is now studying atNewcastle University.

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

Some of our subject scholarships and sportsscholarships are also available for international students.

Apply

Applying to Newcastle Universitythrough UCASTo apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you mustuse the online application system managed by theUniversities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzwordAsk your teacher or adviser from your school or college forthe UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when youregister on the Apply system. This makes it clear whichschool or college you are applying from.

All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU andinternational establishments are registered with UCAS.

If you are applying independently, or are applying from aschool or college which is not registered to manageapplications, you will still use the Apply system. You will notneed a buzzword.

Making your applicationOn the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

• application deadlines and other important dates• offers and tracking your application

Application decisions and enquiriesFind out more about our admissions process and who tocontact if you need help with your application.