Pacific northwest
mountain scene with three students

Why Plymouth?

Welcome! Geography explores the relationships between people, places and the environment, focusing on contemporary global challenges such as sustainability and climate change. Our graduates have careers in government, conservation, environmental consultancy, teaching, aviation, and transport and planning, among others. We provide a supportive, student-centred environment where lectures are given by research-active academics – many are world leaders in their field. Lecturers use innovative teaching methods to bring geography to life in the classroom, in our state-of-the-art laboratories, and during fieldwork. The field trip schedule offers exciting overseas destinations and the chance to explore our coastal location close to two national parks and several areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Enjoy exploring our range of degree courses, which are accredited by the Royal Geographical Society and allow you to move between geography BSc and BA or to combine geography with ocean science or international relations.

Fieldwork

An essential part of studying geography
We provide a leading fieldwork programme taught by geography academics who are expert researchers in their field. Students gain experience of hands-on research, investigating critical contemporary social and environmental issues in a wide variety of environments.

Exchange programme

One of the exciting opportunities that we offer at Plymouth is the ability to take part in our exchange programme. This gives you the opportunity to study in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA and other locations abroad. This can offer students the ability to grow an international network, enhance their CV and have an amazing time during their studies! 
Alice Tustain

Read about our student and staff success in our latest newsletter.

Recent edition: Autumn 2024

Jon ShawProfessor Jon Shaw
Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

SoGEES newsletter cover Autumn 2024

The differences between BA and BSc geography

Geography explores the relationships between people, places and the environment, focusing on contemporary global challenges such as sustainability and climate change. Our BSc (Hons) Geography degree uses predominantly scientific techniques to explore the natural world. BA (Hons) Geography typically focuses on human geography and the impacts of people on societies, mobilities and environmental governance.
Our degrees are flexible, allowing you to move between BA and BSc pathways through our choice of human and physical geography modules. 
Geography 50 - Iceland

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
A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do.
Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science .

Academic staff

*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. In recent years field trips have run to the Pacific Northwest of the USA, Brittany and Dartmoor, among other locations. Fieldwork may be subject to change due to staffing and external factors.  Explore recent field trip destinations