Course overview
Our BA Geography degree explores key societal, economic and environmental challenges. It encourages you to engage with, explore and understand the world.
Our teaching is informed by the research of our world-leading academics and spans the breadth of the discipline.
You can tailor your degree to your interests and won’t need to decide between human and physical geography to apply.
This enables you to become a specialist in your chosen field or to continue to study a broad range of geographical subjects (both human and physical).
You can select from a large number of Geography modules. These range from Glacial Environments, and Global Environmental Change, to Geopolitics, and Local and Regional Development.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Top 40 for Geography – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
- Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)This degree has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Stage 1
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interconnected World | 20 |
| Introduction to Physical Geography | 20 |
| Mapping a changing world: GIS for Geographers | 20 |
| Becoming a Geographer | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Physical Geography Field course: Landforms, processes and field techniques | 20 |
| Environment and Society | 20 |
| Coasts and Communities: Human Geography Fieldwork | 20 |
Stage 2
Modules
Compulsory modules
If you’re following a primarily Human Geography pathway you take the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):
Key Methods for Human Geographers (20 credits)
Research Design and Planning for Human Geographers (20 credits)
If you’re following a primarily Physical Geography pathway you take the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):
Doing Physical Geography Research: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
Key Methods for Physical Geographers (20 credits)
Modules
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Ireland Field Course | 20 |
| Key Methods for Human Geographers | 20 |
| Political Geography | 20 |
| Economic Geography | 20 |
| Development & Globalisation | 20 |
| Social Geographies | 20 |
| The creative and knowledge-based economy: Berlin field course | 20 |
| UK field course research project | 20 |
| Doing Physical Geography Research: Theory and Practice | 20 |
| Emotional Geographies of the City: Vienna/Bratislava or UK urban field course | 20 |
| Global Environmental Change | 20 |
| Key Methods for Physical Geographers | 20 |
| Exploring Everyday Political Geographies in a Divided City: Nicosia Field Course | 20 |
| Research Design and Planning for Human Geographers | 20 |
| Geohazards | 20 |
| Geography Fieldtrip for Module Pre-Registration | 20 |
| Glacial Environments | 20 |
| River Catchment Dynamics | 20 |
| Humans vs Nature in the Netherlands (Netherlands Field course) | 20 |
| Geographies of Memory: Bosnia and Herzegovina Human Geography Field Course | 20 |
| Between Two Unions: Ireland Human Geography Field Course | 20 |
| Career Development for second year students | 20 |
Stage 3
Modules
Compulsory modules
You take the following compulsory module (except if you’re taking Dissertation for Study Abroad Students):
Dissertation (40 credits)
If you’re taking Student Exchange Semester 1, you take the compulsory module (shown in the optional list below):
Geography Dissertation (40 credits)
Modules
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Geography Dissertation | 40 |
| Geopolitics | 20 |
| Local and Regional Development | 20 |
| Student Exchange Semester 1 | 40 |
| Polar Environments | 20 |
| Mapping the City | 20 |
| Palaeoclimates | 20 |
| Emotional Geographies of Everyday Life | 20 |
| Applied Fluvial Geomorphology | 20 |
| Geographies of Race and Nation | 20 |
| Geohazards and Risk | 20 |
| Migration, Bordering and Solidarities | 20 |
| Humanitarianism and Health Inequalities | 20 |
| The Politics of Difference and Identity | 20 |
| Coastal Environments | 20 |
| Career Development for final year students | 20 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Our geography courses involve a high level of staff-student interaction, including:
- tutorials
- lectures
- laboratory work
- IT lab sessions
- seminars
- fieldwork
Your modules also require a considerable amount of independent study.
Skills and experience
Field trips
Fieldwork is an invaluable part of this degree. Day trips in and around our region bring to life topics like industrial change and the conservation of rivers, wetlands and coastal areas under climate change.
You’ll get to explore further afield in Stage 2 on our residential field trips. The destinations we visit change from year-to-year. Recent Human Geography trips have been to Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen and Bosnia.
Between Stages 2 and 3 you will have the option to complete fieldwork in physical or human geography as a part of your Dissertation. You will have the opportunity to apply for Expedition funding to enable you to conduct ambitious dissertation research anywhere in the world.
Find out more about geography fieldwork at Newcastle
Research skills
You’ll be part of a vibrant research community. Fieldwork through your degree will help you grow as a researcher and cultivate your own research techniques.
Your final year dissertation enables you to refine the research skills you’ve developed throughout your degree.
Opportunities
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements.
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend a whole year between Stages 2 and 3 or semester 1 of Stage 3 on an international exchange at a partner institution.
Find out more about study abroad
Facilities and environment
Facilities
As a geography student at Newcastle, you’ll be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology.
You’ll have access to modern laboratories and workshops, and a range of facilities and specialist equipment that are part of the entirely refurbished and newly resourced home of Geography at Newcastle, the Henry Daysh Building and Geoscience Laboratories.
Field equipment
Field equipment includes a range of technologies for:
- topographic survey
- soil and sediment sampling
- biological and chemical analysis
- hydrological analysis
Our laboratories
- biology laboratory
- chemistry laboratory
- geomorphology and sediment laboratories
Support
You’ll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have, when starting university.
You’ll also benefit from our:
- extended induction programme, to help you quickly settle in to our lively community of staff and students
- activities and events run by our highly active student-run society, GeogSoc
Your future
Join a network of successful graduates
Recent graduates have secured roles such as:
- graduate planner
- graduate surveyor
- account executive
Read what our graduates have to say about studying Geography at Newcastle University
Graduates in demand
Our graduates’ excellent employment record is a sign of the flexibility and professionalism that our geography degrees develop.
You will leave with sought-after skills – including teamwork, project management, research and presentation skills – making you employable in a wide variety of fields.
Our graduates have been recruited by a variety of organisations, including:
- the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
- the Environment Agency
- independent and major scientific consultancies
- Raleigh International
- the Armed Forces
- the NHS
- local government
- financial services firms
Careers support
We value your employability highly and have our own Geography Employability Co-ordinator. In your final year you can select an optional work experience module.
Our teaching draws on insights from a range of employers, including governmental bodies, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and charities.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| ABB excluding General Studies. GCSE Mathematics grade C or 4 is required if not offered at a higher level. | |
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 32 points. Standard Level Mathematics or Mathematical Studies required at grade 4 if not offered at Higher Level. | |
