| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
Our BA Geography explores key societal, economic and environmental challenges. It encourages you to engage with, explore and understand the world.
Our degree is informed by the research of our world-leading academics and spans the breadth of the discipline. As a flexible degree, you can tailor it to your interests and evolve into the geographer you want to be. This includes:
You can select from dozens of Geography modules. These range from:
You will join a community of geographic researchers whose research has been funded by:
BA or BSc?
During your degree you will have the opportunity to study both Human and Physical Geography modules.
You'll study at least one physical geography module in first year. Then in Stages 2 and 3 you will have the opportunity to:
Optional modules during Stages 2 and 3 are the same whether you are studying BA Geography or BSc Geography.
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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Program Outline
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Featured module
GEO 3102: Geopolitics
Explore some of the biggest geopolitical challenges facing humanity today. Ranging from climate change to cyberconflict.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability. Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May. To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
During Stage 1 we will help you to build knowledge, understanding and skills required to succeed in Stages 2 and 3 of your degree. You'll be introduced to key geographical research and the global challenges of the 21st century.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interconnected World | 20 |
| Geographical Analysis | 20 |
| Introduction to Physical Geography | 20 |
| Geographical Skills | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Archaeological Science | 20 |
| Geographic Information Systems | 10 |
| Principles of Remote Sensing | 10 |
| Environmental Issues | 20 |
| Human Geographies of the UK | 20 |
| Physical Geography Field Course | 20 |
| Key Concepts in International Politics | 20 |
| Comparing Cultures | 20 |
| Level A (HE Entry Level) Spanish I | 20 |
| Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish | 20 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Stage 2 lets you start to tailor your degree to your interests. You'll study modules in advanced research techniques and key methods. Your remaining topics will be optional, giving you the chance to engage with our cutting-edge research in areas that interest you the most.
You will also have a choice of destinations for your Stage 2 residential field course.
Modules
Compulsory modules
If you're following a primarily
Human Geography pathway
you take the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):Key Methods for Human Geographers (20 credits)
Doing Human Geography Research: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
If you're following a primarily
Physical Geography pathway
you take the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):Doing Physical Geography Research: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
Key Methods for Physical Geographers (20 credits)
Modules
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Animals, Plants and People: an Introduction to Environmental Archaeology | 20 |
| Geographic Information Systems | 10 |
| Geological Resources | 10 |
| Key Methods for Human Geographers | 20 |
| Political Geography | 20 |
| Economic Geography | 20 |
| Development & Globalisation | 20 |
| Social Geographies | 20 |
| Doing Human Geography Research: Theory and Practice | 20 |
| Student Exchange Semester 2 | 50 |
| Doing Physical Geography Research: Theory and Practice | 20 |
| Global Environmental Change | 20 |
| Key Methods for Physical Geographers | 20 |
| Community Volunteering: A Geography Perspective | 20 |
| Glacial Environments | 20 |
| Biogeography | 20 |
| River Catchment Dynamics | 20 |
| Career Development for second year students | 20 |
| Government and Politics of the USA | 20 |
| Political Violence and the Modern State | 20 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
You'll have a wide choice of optional modules that are directly linked to the research work of our staff.
You'll also undertake a dissertation research project. This is a major piece of independent research. It is based on your interests and led by you with support from a dedicated academic mentor.
Modules
Compulsory modules
You take the following compulsory module (except if you're taking Dissertation for Study Abroad Students) (shown in the optional list below):
Dissertation (40 credits)If you're taking Student Exchange Semester 1, you take the compulsory module (shown in the optional list below):
Dissertation for Study Abroad Students (40 credits)
Modules
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Physical Geography Field course 2: Iceland | 20 |
| Social experiments, diverse economies: Copenhagen Field Course | 20 |
| The creative and knowledge-based economy: Berlin field course | 20 |
| Fieldwork at Home | 20 |
| Exploring Everyday Political Geographies in a Divided City: Nicosia Field Course | 20 |
| Geography Fieldtrip for Module Pre-Registration | 20 |
| City of Crisis, City of Hope: Amsterdam Field course | 20 |
| Humans vs Nature in the Netherlands (Netherlands Field course) | 20 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina Field Course | 20 |
| Class, Race & Nation in Comparative Context: Ireland Human Geography Field Course | 20 |
| Dissertation for Study Abroad Students | 40 |
| Dissertation | 40 |
| Geopolitics | 20 |
| Geographies of Money | 20 |
| Local and Regional Development | 20 |
| Student Exchange Semester 1 | 40 |
| Polar Environments | 20 |
| Mapping the City | 20 |
| Community Volunteering: A Geography Perspective | 20 |
| Landslides and coasts | 20 |
| Applied Fluvial Geomorphology | 20 |
| Geographies of Race and Nation | 20 |
| Geographies of Sustainable Production and Consumption | 20 |
| Humanitarianism and Health Inequalities | 20 |
| Career Development for final year students | 20 |
Field course module information
You must take one of the field course modules listed above.
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Information about these graphs
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Our geography courses involve a high level of staff-student interaction, including:
Your modules also require a considerable amount of independent study.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
Coursework
Dissertation or research project
Essays
Examinations – practical or online
Group work
Presentations
Projects
Reflective report/journal
Reports
Seminar tasks/exercises
Skills and experience
Field trips
Field trips in and around our region bring to life topics like:
You'll get to explore further afield in Stages 2 and 3, depending on your interests, you'll study elements of:
In recent years, Human Geography field trips have included destinations such as:
You'll have the opportunity to apply for expedition funding to enable you to conduct ambitious dissertation research anywhere in the world.
Find out more about geography fieldwork at Newcastle
Research skills
You'll be part of a vibrant research community alongside our highly respected research staff. Fieldwork through your degree will help you grow as a researcher and cultivate your own research techniques.
Your final year dissertation will enable you to refine and showcase the research skills you've developed throughout your degree.
Chat to a Geography student
At Newcastle, I have the opportunity to study the interplay between human and physical geography. I can explore contemporary issues like climate change, whilst learning the economic and political aspects of the world.
Kieran Marsh, Geography student