School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

BSc (Hons) Geography with GIS and Data Science

Planned new course

UCAS course code F846
Institution code P60
Duration

3 years

(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time
Location Plymouth
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Apply via UCASo

Expand your knowledge across geography and geospatial data science to develop solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today. From sustainability, climate change, natural hazards and public health, geographers are well placed to respond to global challenges. In the age of data science, you can be part of this solution by developing unique insights from an understanding of the social and physical world.

Geography with GIS and Data Science

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022

The University of Plymouth has been named among the top 5% of universities globally in 2022 for its contribution to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, work on marine issues and on climate change. In the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, sustainability is at the heart of our research and teaching. From sustainable cities, affordable and clean energy, to climate policy, biodiversity, and natural hazards, our academic staff work with partners locally and overseas to help understand, communicate and solve fundamental and pressing sustainability challenges.
  • 6

    Join this exciting course from September 2024

Careers with this subject
Geography graduates have high rates of graduate employment. The RGS notes 'there is no such thing as a geography job; rather there are multiple jobs that geographers do'. Employment areas directly linked to geography include working in consultancy, planning, tourism, local/regional/national government, NGOs and teaching; others find the social and numerical skills learned lead towards management and finance.

Key features
  •  Your degree pathway is flexible. Alongside core data science modules, you can choose both physical geography (GGP) and human geography (GGH) modules.
  • Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and/or international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support.
  •  Learn to use a range of Geographical Information Systems and data science packages to analyse and communicate complex spatial data.
  • Take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programme.
  • Our focus on employability and applied geography supports students to pursue a range of career opportunities.
  •  Choose an optional work placement programme providing skills, experience and contacts in a wide range of employment sectors.
  •  Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.

Course details

  • Year 1

  •  In your first year, modules will introduce you to the latest developments in human and physical geography. Undertake fieldwork and develop your practical and applied skills through lab work. You’ll also take part in small group tutorials.

  • Year 2

  • In your second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge with a wide range of optional modules in human and physical geography and core modules in practical data science skills, theories, and careers development. You’ll also have the chance to take overseas field courses (recent courses have run in Morocco, USA, Iceland, Australia and Sweden).

  • Year 3

  • Choose an optional year working in industry to improve your knowledge of applied geography and gain invaluable work experience. Our employability service will help you find a placement from our extensive network across all sectors.

  • Final year

  •  In your final year, you’ll write a dissertation on any aspect of geography. There’s a wide range of optional modules in human and physical geography, plus the option of taking a work experience module to prepare you for your first job.

Entry requirements
104-112 UCAS points. A typical offer is 112 points from a minimum of 2 A levels. To also including GCSE English and Mathematics grade C / 4 or above or equivalent.
All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at Grade C or above.
BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma - DMM. The full list of modules should be stated, and it would be expected to include a range of topics complementary to geography. Individual advice can be provided by the admissions tutor. To also include GCSE English and Mathematics grade C /4 or above or equivalent. 
Access to Higher Education at level 3 - Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (e.g. science, humanities, combined), (including GCSE English and Mathematics grade C /4 or above or equivalent) with at least 33 credits at merit. 
Welsh Baccalaureate - 104-112 UCAS points – can be accepted as a supplement to 2 A Levels, including Geography. The Skills Challenge Certificate can also be included in UCAS points or alongside points from other qualifications (e.g. A level). 
Scottish Qualifications Authority - 104-112 UCAS points from Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers.  
Irish Leaving Certificate - BBBBB in Highers including Geography. Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Grade C or above for English and Maths.
International Baccalaureate - 26-27 points overall. English and Mathematics must be included.  
Progression from foundation year Geography  - Students who pass the Plymouth foundation year geography course are guaranteed progression to a choice of one of the  BSc/BA (Hons) Geography courses. Detailed advice will be provided by the Admissions Tutor. 

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home N/A N/A
International N/A N/A
Part time (Home) N/A N/A
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per a number of credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Assessment

  • bCoursework: 79%

  • 6Practical: 12%

  • bOpen book assessment: 9%

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an essential part of studying geography. Our Royal Geographical Society accreditation means that all of our degree courses include learning through practical experience from the field. 
Fieldwork may be subject to change due to staffing and external factors.

Discover facilities in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

As student in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences you will have access to a range of cutting-edge resources and facilities. 
These will support your learning in the field and in the laboratory – whether in traditional chemistry lab or a high-performance computing room. Many are solely for the use of our students and researchers and you will also have access to LABplus Resource Centre and the Marine Station.
Students using a petrographic microscope

Careers with geography

Studying geography develops your analytical and communication skills and your ability to evaluate data, all strengths that are in demand in the graduate jobs market. Like other science graduates, you have a broad range of career paths open to you, though you may be particularly drawn to areas such as environmental planning, health, politics education, commerce, industry, transport, tourism, public sectors and international relations. 
Geography 50

Why study geography?

Celebrating 50 years of geography degrees at Plymouth

Oscar, BA (Hons) Geography student, shares his experience of a course field trip in Torquay

Centre for Research in Environment and Society (CeRES)

Our research is focused on environment-society interactions, environmental processes and change, and their governance through regulation, management policies and stakeholder involvement. 
Individual staff engage with a wide range of other departments in universities and research institutes from around the world.
Soil erosion. Will Blake. 
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) logo

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) accreditation

This degree programme is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)*.
*Subject to formal approval by September 2024