Course details
A Levels AAB Other entry requirementsUCAS code L700
Duration 3 years
Fees and additional costs Home/EU students International students
Related subjects Geography
Any questions?
Undergraduate Programmes Officer
Department of Geography
Telephone +44 (0)114 222 7900
Email geography-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
Website sheffield.ac.uk/geography/undergraduate
Course description
We'll show you how to apply geographical concepts and skills to global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, geopolitical uncertainty, urbanisation and food insecurity.
This BA will give you the specialist, practical and transferable skills you need for your future career.
Integral to your degree is field-based learning, independent research and training in qualitative, quantitative and geospatial research methods. We use the space around us as our living laboratory: you'll spend time learning in Sheffield - a city shaped by its rich industrial heritage - and exploring the Peak District during field classes.
Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) for the purpose of recognising the delivery of geographical knowledge, understanding, skills, approaches and attributes expected of high quality geography graduates.
Financial help from the University - bursaries
If you're a UK student, you could be entitled to a University bursary. A bursary is the same as a grant - you don't have to pay it back.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | AAB |
| A Levels + additional qualifications | ABB + B in a relevant EPQ; ABB + B in Core Maths |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 |
| BTEC | DDD in a relevant subject |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3 D3 M2 |
| Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher | AAABB + B |
| Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | B + AA |
| Access to HE | Entry requirements for mature students |
| Other qualifications |
Other UK qualifications
Other EU/international qualifications |
Other requirements
|
|
| If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department | |
Modules - what you study and when
The modules listed below are examples from the last academic year. There may be some changes before you start your course. For the very latest module information, check with the department direct.
Department of Geography website
First year
Core modules:
| Geographical Skills | |
| Exploring Human Geographies | |
| Living with Environmental Change | |
| New Horizons in Geography | |
Optional modules:
| Earth, Wind, Ice and Fire | |
| Cities | |
| Housing, Home and Neighbourhood | |
| Exploring the Peak District and Sheffield (L1) | |
Second year
Core modules:
| Geographical Data in the World | |
| Research Design for Geography and Environmental Science | |
Optional modules:
Third year
Core modules:
| Dissertation for Geography& Environmental Science | |
Optional modules:
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers.
In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
These figures give an indication of how you'll learn and be assessed. They're a combined average of all the years of the course. The learning and assessment percentages could vary depending on the modules you choose.
| Learning | |
| Scheduled teaching | 16% |
| Independent study | 84% |
| Placement | 0% |
|
Assessment |
|
| Exams/tests | 41% |
| Coursework | 54% |
| Practical | 4% |
Department of Geography
The Department of Geography at the University of Sheffield is a world leader in teaching and research. We're ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world for geography according to the QS Rankings 2019.
As well as group study areas, we have our own computer suites that are equipped with the latest remote sensing, GIS and modeling software packages. We also have state-of-the-art laboratories, as well as a field centre in Tanzania.
What our graduates do
Our courses will develop your ability to analyse global problems from a range of perspectives and at different scales. Our students gain geographical and transferable skills that are highly valued by employers.
Ninety-three per cent of our geography and environmental science graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2017).
Human geography
Graduates from our BA Geography course develop the ability to understand and address complex social, political and cultural challenges. Working at the intersection between people and place, our graduates typically go on to careers in policy and government, education, international development, journalism, social research, business and consultancy.
Recent graduate destinations have included the Department for International Development, Deloitte, The Guardian, Transport for London and the British Red Cross.
Physical geography
Students on our BSc Geography and MGeogSci Geography courses develop the scientific skills to monitor the physical and environmental processes that shape our world. These practical skills are highly sought after by employers in fields as diverse as sustainability, meteorology, environmental consultancy, GIS analysis, business, policy and government.
Recent graduate destinations have included the Environment Agency, npower, the Met Office, Jacobs and Natural England. Graduates from our physical geography courses also secure positions on postgraduate and research programmes.
Environmental science
Graduates from our BSc Environmental Science and MEnvSci Environmental Science degrees are valued by employers for their environmental science skills and in-depth knowledge. Recent graduates have gone on to careers in environmental consultancy and policy, sustainable energy, land remediation and conservation.
As well as specialist skills and knowledge, our degrees provide you with transferable skills that are valued by graduate employers, such as handling data, communicating complex issues, and managing projects from start to finish. Other environmental science graduates have used these assets to secure employment in teaching, law, patenting, finance and banking.
Careers and employability on the Department of Geography website
Student profile
"We've just got back from a field class in California where we were in the Mojave desert looking at the landscape...we went with three lecturers who were extremely knowledgeable on drylands."
Bryony Smith
Geography
BSc Geography graduate Stephen Penson explains how his course helped prepare him for his job as a geographic information system (GIS) consultant.
Fieldwork is an important part of the course right from the start.
In your first year you'll learn and apply essential field skills ‒ including qualitative research techniques such as in-depth interviewing, questionnaire design and critical evaluation ‒ in Sheffield and the surrounding Peak District. You'll go on a three-day residential field class to the Peak District early in the first semester.
Your second year introduces you to more advanced techniques. You'll have the opportunity to develop and apply your research skills in an international location such as Morocco or Berlin.
In your third year you'll have the chance to take part in optional fieldwork in locations as varied as Uganda and Liverpool. Many of these trips include gathering group data and carrying out independent research projects, which allows you to develop crucial transferable skills as well as subject knowledge.
Throughout your degree, you can participate in short, optional field trips in Sheffield and the Peak District to engage with agencies and communities, develop field research skills and learn about the local region.
Additional costs for fieldwork
All core fieldwork, including one international field class, is included in your tuition fees. Costs for optional field classes vary. Estimated costs for 2019/20 include £150 (Liverpool) and £1,250 (Uganda).
Some factors that could impact on the cost of field trips are beyond our control such as airline fare increases. We try to keep the costs as low as possible, and to inform students as early as possible.
Apply for this course
Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply:
How to apply >When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:
ucas.com >Contact us
Undergraduate Programmes Officer
Department of Geography
Telephone
+44 (0)114 222 7900
Email
geography-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
Visit us
University open days
There are four open days every year, usually in June, July, September and October. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Book your place
>
Applicant days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our applicant days, which take place between November and April. These applicant days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Campus tours run regularly throughout the year, at 1pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Find out more and book a place online
>