| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Through a blend of research-led learning, fieldwork, and option-based modules, students develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills essential for careers in diverse sectors, including environmental consulting, planning, and development. The program emphasizes employability skills and provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for success in the job market.
Program Outline
Geography BA (Hons) - Keele University
Degree Overview
Overview:
The Geography BA (Hons) program at Keele University equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the spatial dynamics of human behaviour, social inequalities, and global challenges. Through a blend of physical and social geography, students explore the intricate relationship between human interactions and societies with the environment and natural world.
Objectives:
- Understand the interconnectedness between human behaviour, societies, and the environment.
- Develop the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to address contemporary global challenges.
- Acquire a comprehensive grasp of physical and human geography concepts and theories.
- Cultivate strong geographical research and field investigation expertise.
- Gain valuable professional communication and team working skills.
Program Description:
This program offers a flexible and engaging learning experience that caters to students from diverse academic backgrounds. In the first year, the curriculum establishes a strong foundation in human and physical geography, building essential skills and subject-specific knowledge. Year two focuses on research-led learning, delving deeper into the application of geographical evidence to explain the interplay between human activity and society. Year three provides the unique opportunity to tailor the degree towards individual career aspirations and interests through an entirely option-based structure. Students can choose from a broad range of modules covering areas like health inequalities, human-animal interactions, and global environmental change. Additionally, they undertake a final year geography project, enabling them to investigate a topic of their choice under the guidance of experienced academics.
Outline
Program Content:
Keele's Geography BA (Hons) program provides a comprehensive overview of both human and physical geography. Key subject areas covered include:
- Human Geography:
- Human-environment interactions
- Social inequalities
- Urban studies
- Development geography
- Political geography
- Physical Geography:
- Environmental change
- Geomorphology
- Climatology
- Biogeography
- Hydrology
Structure:
The program is structured as follows:
- Year 1: Foundational modules in both human and physical geography.
- Year 2: Core modules focusing on research-based learning and the application of geographical evidence.
- Year 3: Entirely option-based, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific career interests or delve deeper into areas of specialization.
Course Schedule:
The exact course schedule for each year is subject to change, but students can expect a combination of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Fieldwork
- Practical sessions
- Independent study
- Group projects
Modules:
Year 1:
- Fundamentals of Physical Geography
- Human Geographies
- Nature, Conservation & Society
- Academic, Professional and Fieldwork Skills
- People and the Environment
Year 2:
- Geographic Information Science and Remote Sensing
- Geographical and Environmental Field Skills
- Space and Society
- Research Methods in Human Geography and Environmental Sustainability
- More-than-human Geographies
Year 3:
Compulsory:
- Dissertation
Optional:
- Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology
- Natural Hazards
- Global Environmental Change
- Clean Technology
- Advanced Environmental Field Skills
- Applied GIS
- Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment
- Extinction! Sustainability Consultancy
- Postcolonialism and Decolonisation
- Animals and Society
- Work Placement Year
- Advanced Geographical Fieldwork
- Coastal Environments
- Blue Economy: Sustainable Futures with an Ocean Focus
- Inspirational Landscapes
- Rural Geographies
- Health Inequalities
- Development and Climate Justice
Assessment
Assessment Methods:
- Coursework
- Projects
- Fieldwork
- Practical activities
- Presentations
- Portfolios
- Reflective diaries
- Research proposals
- Technical and laboratory reports
Assessment Criteria:
Assessments are designed to evaluate:
- Subject knowledge and understanding
- Depth of analysis and critical thinking
- Research and analytical skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Application of theory to real-world scenarios
Teaching
Teaching Methods:
- Interactive lectures
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Field courses
- Group presentations
- One-to-one advice sessions
- Online learning
Faculty:
Experienced and actively research-engaged academic staff, including world-renowned experts in their respective fields.
Unique Approaches:
- Emphasis on active learning and student engagement
- Opportunities for independent research
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the Central Science Laboratories and Keele's "living-laboratory" campus
- Strong focus on employability skills development, including CV workshops, mock interviews, and networking events.
Careers
Career Paths:
- Cartographer
- Environmental Consultant
- Geospatial Data Analyst
- International Development Worker
- Journalist
- Logistics Manager
- Market Researcher
- Planning and Development Surveyor
- Residential Surveyor
- Science Teacher
- Systems Developer
- Town Planner
Career Opportunities:
Graduates with a Geography BA (Hons) are well-equipped for diverse careers within:
- Public and private sectors
- Research and academia
- Environmental consultancies
- Planning and development agencies
- Non-governmental organizations
- Education
Career Outcomes:
Keele University reports 95% of their Geography BA (Hons) graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of completing their studies.
