Physical Geography BSc (Hons)
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UCAS Code: FF08|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Physical Geography explores the Earth’s systems, the processes that shape landscapes, and the impact of human activity on the natural environment. This Physical Geography degree provides a holistic understanding of environmental geoscience, geology, geomorphology, ecology, biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental change. The Physical Geography course examines modern environmental processes and the long-term evolution of landscapes, highlighting the complex relationships between natural systems and human influence.
The Physical Geography course is delivered by an enthusiastic team of geographers and environmentalists with diverse research interests. Liverpool provides an ideal setting for study, offering access to stunning upland and coastal landscapes that enhance practical learning opportunities.
A Placement Year is available as part of the Physical Geography degree, allowing you to gain valuable work experience alongside your studies and apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 20-25 students, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students. There are also a number of fieldtrips each year, as well as the opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with your tutor each week.
In your first year there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as group study to prepare for any group assessments you may have.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your three years of study, you will be assessed in a number of ways, including written exams, coursework (consisting of both essays and reports), portfolios, a literature review, academic posters, and presentations. In your final year you will also complete a dissertation.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
Global Governance and World Regions
This module explores the interconnected nature of our world and examines how decisions made at local, national, and international levels influence global governance and shape opportunities and it is constructed in two sections. One section focuses on globalization, governance, citizenship, and sustainable development, with particular attention to climate policy and tourism. The other section emphasis shifts to Understanding the World—analysing different regions, including Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Students will explore how the environment, geography, tourism, and culture intersect, and how global policies are experienced in diverse regional contexts.
Academic and Professional Skills
This module is designed to equip students with the skills needed to succeed at university and beyond. It builds confidence in academic reading, writing, and research, while providing practical tools such as data analysis and mapping, and guidance on the responsible use of AI. The module also strengthens time management, teamwork, and presentation skills, while encouraging students to explore career pathways and plan their future goals.
Earth and Ecological Systems
This interdisciplinary module provides a framework for exploring the natural systems and processes that shape a complex and dynamic Earth. It emphasises the interconnectedness of the major Earth spheres—lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere—through flows of mass and energy, illustrated by examples such as the rock cycle and ecological systems. The first part of the module introduces geological processes and products, while the second part focuses on ecosystems and ecological processes. A strong emphasis is placed on the practical investigation of selected Earth materials (including minerals, rocks, and sediments) and biota (plants and animals).
Global Challenges
This module explores the major environmental and societal challenges of the 21st century, encouraging students to approach global issues from multiple perspectives and providing a strong foundation for future studies. Students investigate key environmental issues—including food production, land use, pollution, water resources, and sustainable energy—through case studies, interactive activities, and group discussions. The module also examines social and governance perspectives, focusing on vulnerability, resilience, activism, environmental justice, gender, Indigenous knowledge, digital inequality, and climate migration. Through debates, mapping exercises, and major assessments, students develop critical thinking skills and learn to integrate environmental and social insights in order to design sustainable and equitable solutions.
Fieldwork (residential and/or non-residential)
Year Two
Earth Surface Processes
An exploration of geomorphological and biogeographical processes and their contribution to landscape development.
Research Methods
An exploration of a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, which considers data collection and data analysis.
Environmental Policy, Planning and Management
An exploration of, for example, legislation; policy; planning; environmental impacts and management.
Landscape Assessment
An exploration of applied dimensions of environmental geoscience through landscape assessment (eg. Landscape Character Assessment).
Geospatial Data Analysis and GIS
An exploration of geospatial data analysis/GIS that includes practical applications.
Biodiversity Conservation
Developing an in-depth and critical understanding of the value, importance and urgency of protecting species and their habitats from key threats including extinction.
‘Experiential Learning Block’
An applied project based study block that can be undertaken as one of several formats e.g. fieldwork based (residential and/or non-residential); problem-based task; work placement related; or a block of work-based learning.
Fieldwork (residential and/or non-residential)
Year Three
Earth’s Dynamic Environments
Advanced investigations of geomorphological processes and change in a specific area of physical geography (e.g. glacial or coastal environments).
History, Development of Current Practice of Geography
A consideration and critical evaluation of the history and development of geography will be followed by detailed explorations of the current practice of geography. Associated advanced seminars will involve staff leading discussions on their research interests and expertise.
Sustainable Futures
A consideration and evaluation of themes and debates surrounding the human-environment nexus, for example, sustainability; sustainable development; environmental resource management; climate change; and the Anthropocene.
Environmental Change
A consideration and evaluation of environmental change throughout Earth history. A key focus will be on environmental change in the Quaternary.
Current Research and Practice in Ecology and Conservation
An exploration of the current knowledge, research and practice in ecology and/or conservation, for example, current research in conservation biology, terrestrial coastal ecology and palaeoecology.
International Fieldwork
You will undertake fieldwork internationally. Past countries have included Malta. Following a brief introduction to the international fieldwork destination, this will comprise the design and execution of individual project-based fieldwork involving data collection relating to a negotiated topic of relevance to the destination.
Honours Project (dissertation)
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BCC - BBB |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 104 - 120 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications |
| BTEC | DMM - DDM |
| Access to HE | 104 - 120 Tariff Points |
| IB | 26 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 104 - 120 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | No specific subject requirements |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
A Geography degree can open the door to a wide range of careers including local authority planning, environmental assessment, urban regeneration, conservation, sustainable development, tourism planning, renewable energy, and housing association management. With the increasing demands of legislation and global environmental policy, there are growing employment opportunities in environmental management and consultancy. A more specialised Geography degree offers opportunities to focus on specific careers that involve the natural environment and will equip you with the practical, numerical and computational skills that are valued by many employers.
A degree in Geography opens the door to a wide range of 'general' graduate careers such as graduate recruitment schemes in business, management, finance, the police service and the armed forces.
Many of our graduates go on to train to be teachers of Geography. Others go on to further study at Masters or Doctorate level. Studying a geographical subject means you will look at a wide range of different topics and learn a broad range of skills that you can take with you into the workplace. You will develop skills in problem-solving, data analysis, report-writing, developing arguments, working both independently and as part of a group, and interpreting data.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
In your final year, your Honours Project can be completed through a work placement. This placement enables you to gain relevant geographical work experience so that you can apply your environmental and geographical knowledge and experiences into a work setting. Please note that you must organise this work placement yourself.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £9,535* for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,535*.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
*subject to Council approval.
Additional costs
As well as your tuition fees, you need to consider the costs associated with compulsory and optional residential and other fieldwork trips. Cost depends on the nature of the fieldwork or location, but we estimate you will need around £400. You also need to budget for key textbooks (£200) and around £100 for fieldwork equipment such as boots and a waterproof coat.
If once you graduate you wish to become a member of the Royal Geographical Society, there is a registration fee and an annual fee thereafter - full details of costs can be found on the RGS website.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2026/27 are £14,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.