Overview

Natural hazards and the processes associated with the physical environment are some of the most prominent challenges that we face globally. This rewarding course will develop your abilities to analyse and predict future events, as well as manage and mitigate their effects to support communities when they need it most.

The Geography and Natural Hazards BSc (Hons) course applies geographical knowledge to the study of natural hazards, such as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, wildfires, tropical cyclones and flooding. We aim to give you an in-depth understanding of the processes responsible for these hazards, which affect millions of people each year. We cover the key principles of geophysics, geology, geomorphology, hydrology and climatology and how to map, analyse and potentially predict natural hazards, so that you may help communities prepare for and respond to their impact.

Course information

All of our geography degrees are designed to develop your specialist knowledge of the physical and human environment. Throughout this course, you will be supported to develop your analytical and problem-solving skills, with appropriate training in how to conduct robust independent research in the laboratory and/or field within the broad area of geographical and geoscientific enquiry.

In your first year, you will touch upon topics covered in our other two geography degrees (BA and BSc), while also studying bespoke geography and natural hazards modules. The second and third years will then become more specialised, allowing you to study the processes associated with natural hazards as well as optional modules that will allow you to develop specialist knowledge in topics such as contemporary environmental change, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing.

All of our geography degrees encompass significant amounts of field trips*, both here in the UK and overseas*, with recent trips visiting locations such as Sicily, Mallorca, Morocco and Tenerife We also have an excellent track record of supporting professional training, which is a popular option between your second and third year. Recent students have spent their optional sandwich year* with local authorities, national/international agencies, environmental consultancies and research institutes.

*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any trip, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.