BA in Geography

Join one of the top ten Geography departments in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).

Course overview

• We're one of the top ten Geography departments in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
• Choose course units from across the full breadth of human and physical geography.
• Develop your geographical research skills, including field, laboratory and computer-based techniques.
• Enjoy fieldwork in locations including Hong Kong, Brazil, Greece, Czech Republic, Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco and around Manchester.

Open days

We are carefully reviewing all our recruitment events in light of the developing coronavirus outbreak.

As we're unable to host on-campus visits or attend events like UCAS and overseas recruitment fairs at the moment, take a look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.

You will be able to watch videos about the university, including accommodation, student finance and course-specific sessions.

BA Geography allows you to study the interaction between people and their environment - exploring the diverse cultural, economic, urban and political dimensions of current global challenges.

Here at The University of Manchester, we've been teaching Geography for more than 125 years - after all, where better to study the subject than this rapidly changing metropolis, with its surrounding national parks and stretching coastlines?

The field is our classroom - you will have the opportunity to engage in field-based learning around Manchester and in destinations such as Greece, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Brazil and the Czech Republic.

The wide range of teaching and research interests of our academics - who have an impressive international research reputation - will make it easy for you to be flexible about what, and how, you learn.

This allows you the maximum choice to tailor your studies to suit your interests.

Not sure if you're a human or physical geographer just yet? Don't worry - our course allows you to study both human and physical geography in your first year, before specialising to study for a BA or a BSc later in your course.

You don't need to apply to both courses either - apply for just one via UCAS, and you'll be allowed to switch after beginning your course.

Special features

Transfer onto a course with Professional Placement or International Study

There is an opportunity to transfer from this course to one of the four-year Geography courses `with Professional Placement' or `with International Study at the start of the second year. Where the number of available placements is limited, priority will be given to students required to undertake a professional or international placement as part of their studies.

Transfers require the first-year average of at least 60% and the application process is competitive.

Employability

Our Skills for Geographers course is designed to support students as they begin exploring their future career paths, and what they need to get there.

This includes practising core and transferrable skills and identifying areas of expertise.

Fieldtrips

Fieldwork options during the degree currently include trips to Crete, Spain, Amsterdam, Morocco, and the Czech Republic - and, of course, around the city of Manchester itself.

Manchester University Geographical Society (MUGS)

You can also join the Manchester University Geographical Society (MUGS), a society run by Geography students.

Pre-course field trip

Our pre-course field trip for new geography students is a tradition amongst Manchester geographers.

The trip takes place in Keswick, the Lake District, over three days in the week before Welcome Week in September.

The residential trip is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow students and future tutors.

Teaching and learning

Teaching methods include fieldwork, lectures, seminars, small group learning and individual tutorials.

Coursework and assessment

Assessment methods include essays, team projects, coursework, presentations, written exams and a dissertation.

BA Geography graduates have excellent employment prospects. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in areas including:

• planning;
• business development;
• education;
• consulting;
• marketing, media and communications;
• project management;
• research.

Top employers of our BA Geography graduates include Accenture, HSBC, Manchester City Council, Network Rail, PwC, Sky, the BBC, and the Environment Agency.

Our Geography employability support will ensure you leave us as a highly employable individual, by developing your expertise in teamwork, communication, research, data analysis, problem-solving and time management.

You will also gain subject-specific skills such as working with spatial data (GIS), working with archives, undertaking interviews, and a suite of field and laboratory analyses; invaluable skills if you choose to pursue a career directly related to your degree.

In addition, you will benefit from the attention of an academic member of staff who will focus on enhancing your employability through the curriculum, volunteering and internships.