Explore the processes and phenomena that impact our world and our future.

Dealing with diverse topics ranging from the top of the earth’s atmosphere to the ocean floor, our BSc (Hons) Physical Geography degree is a specialised course that focuses solely on the physical sciences and how they apply to our surroundings.

Through teaching delivered by our internationally recognised academics, you will not only be learning about research but actively taking part as a researcher. Throughout this course you will learn how to map, monitor and understand the physical world by undertaking regular day and residential field trips within the UK and Europe. You will also have the option to complete a semester-based or year-long work placement, allowing you to put all of your recently acquired skills into practise.  

Why choose Northumbria to study Physical Geography?

Top Department: Geography & Environmental Science is ranked Top 40 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024.

Research Powerhouse: Geography and Environmental Studies at Northumbria is ranked 2nd for research power in the UK. This is a rise of 39 places compared to 2014.

Quality Teaching: Geography & Environmental Science at Northumbria is ranked top 20 in the UK for Teaching Quality & Student Experience (Times Good University Guide, 2024)

Super Satisfaction: 100% of students studying Human Geography at Northumbria believed that their course had the right balance of direct and indirect study, felt free to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs and believed their course challenged them to achieve their best work (NSS, 2023).

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.

How will I be taught during my BSc (Hons) Physical Geography degree?

The BSc Physical Geography course allows you to concentrate solely on the physical sciences, including aspects of earth science, landscape surveying and resource management.

BSc Physical Geography utilises a range of teaching and assessment methods and a large part of this course is delivered via lectures, seminars, and practical activities in both the lab and field, to help you master core professional skills.

From the beginning you will be involved in big scientific debates, synthesising a wide range of topics in physical geography and earth science.

You will also have the opportunity to tailor your course to your own areas of interest, undertaking laboratory work, fieldwork and IT workshops to develop new and further master your professional skills.

How is this course assessed?

Once you have built up your core skill set, assessments will be undertaken via a range of methods including reports, presentations, seen exams, essays and posters. Around 70% of your course will be assessed via coursework, with the remaining 30% assessed by exam.

Who teaches the BSc (Hons) Physical Geography course?

Our research-active teaching team possess a range of interlinked specialisms in areas such as climate change, snow, glaciers, ice sheets, palaeoenvironments, permafrost, sea-level change, coasts, soils, pollution and contamination, hydrochemistry and geographic information systems (GIS). Our academics boast extensive experience in their respective fields and are actively involved in international research projects that shape the discipline.

All of our staff are approachable, enthusiastic and committed to your learning experience, supporting you through every step of your degree.

Who teaches the BSc (Hons) Physical Geography course?

Our research-active teaching team possess a range of interlinked specialisms in areas such as climate change, snow, glaciers, ice sheets, palaeoenvironments, permafrost, sea-level change, coasts, soils, pollution and contamination, hydrochemistry and geographic information systems (GIS). Our academics boast extensive experience in their respective fields and are actively involved in international research projects that shape the discipline.

All of our staff are approachable, enthusiastic and committed to your learning experience, supporting you through every step of your degree.

Where will I learn throughout my degree?

Our research-leading facilities will allow you to further enhance your learning experience through independent research, work on projects and experiments.

Our campus encompasses three specialist laboratories – Geography Measurement and Analysis Laboratory, Palaeo and Environmental Research Laboratory and Soil and Sediment Processing Laboratory - that allow you to get up close and experiment using state-of-the-art equipment and computational software. Our extensive field equipment includes a range of portable monitoring and analytical instrumentation (e.g. for meteorological, soil, water and air pollution monitoring).

Whether you are preparing sediments, soils or biological samples for analysis, modelling your findings using specialist 3D software or utilising specialist statistical packages, these facilities will ensure that you have access to all of the resources required to develop your knowledge.

Throughout your course you may also undertake environmental case studies by visiting a variety of regional, national and international locations to practise and implement your investigative field techniques.

How is research applied to teaching throughout my degree?

During your degree you will have unprecedented access to our research-active experts who will bring this subject alive with findings from their trips to the Polar Regions, Canada, Laos, Romania and Chile, amongst many others.

Research findings are incorporated into all areas of your teaching to ensure your knowledge is at the forefront of scientific inquiry. Combining research-led practical, lectures and seminars, you will undertake project weeks and field trips to further enhance your knowledge and understanding. A combination of group work and individual research skills will be utilised throughout.

Mainstream teaching will often include elements of active research-based work, for example ‘An introduction to IT’ uses secondary data from high-Arctic glaciers to estimate changes in air temperature and glacier melt.

How will my BSc Physical Geography degree provide me with the skills needed for my career?

This course will prepare you for a broad range of careers as employers appreciate the transferable analytics, communication and presentation skills acquired by our students. Our graduates are renowned for having awareness of ethical considerations and display the attitudes and skills to engage and work constructively and sensitively in multi-cultural environments and teams.

Graduates will have the necessary skills to pursue a career in a range of specialist roles in organisations such as national parks, local Government, and water and energy companies. Many Physical Geography graduates also choose to work in environmental consultancy or policy, teaching or graduate training schemes.

Does Northumbria University offer work placements for Geography?

A work placement is the ideal way to gain experience in your chosen career and will enable you to apply what you have learnt in the lecture theatre and lab in the real world. Typically, students will opt for a year in industry or study abroad between their second and final year.

If you opt to take a placement year during your studies, you will be able to work alongside, and learn from, professionals in the Geography field, building up vital networking contacts and developing key skills such as time management, communication, problem solving and self-management.