Human Geography (with integrated year in industry)

Program Overview

---

Aberystwyth University's BA in Human Geography prepares students to address societal challenges through its rigorous curriculum and industry-integrated year. Graduates are equipped with specialized skills in research, data analysis, and problem-solving, making them highly employable in fields such as environmental consulting, planning, and civil service. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment with expert faculty, modern facilities, and opportunities for fieldwork and exchange.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

Aberystwyth University's Department of Geography and Earth Sciences offers a BA in Human Geography (with integrated year in industry). This program is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and provides students with the skills, abilities, and expertise to engage with the challenges facing society today. The program is designed to enhance employability through its integrated year in industry.

---

Outline:

---

Year 1

• Core Modules:
• Conflict and Change: the making of urban and rural spaces (GS10220) - 20 credits
• Living in a Dangerous World (GS10020) - 20 credits
• Place and Identity (GS14220) - 20 credits
• Researching the World: data collection and analysis (GS13020) - 20 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Earth Surface Environments (GS10520) - 20 credits
• How to Build a Planet (GS11520) - 20 credits
• Key Concepts in Sociology (GS16120) - 20 credits
• Thinking Sociologically (GS15120) - 20 credits

---

Year 2

• Core Modules:
• Concepts for Geographers (GS20410) - 10 credits
• Graduate Career and Professional Development (CD20220) - 20 credits
• Human Geography and Sociology Research Design and Fieldwork Skills (GS21520) - 20 credits
• Placing Culture (GS22920) - 20 credits
• Placing Politics (GS23020) - 20 credits
• Social Research Methods (GS20510) - 10 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Geographical Information Systems (GS23710) - 10 credits
• Geographical Perspectives on the Sustainable Society (GS28910) - 10 credits
• Quantitative Data Analysis (GS23810) - 10 credits

---

Year 3

• Core Module:
• Work Placement (GSS0260) - 60 credits

---

Year 4

• Core Module:
• Geography Dissertation (GS34040) - 40 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Contemporary Global Migration (GS39120) - 20 credits
• Everyday Social Worlds (GS33320) - 20 credits
• Memory Cultures: heritage, identity and power (GS37920) - 20 credits
• Modern British Landscapes (GS36220) - 20 credits
• The Global Countryside: Geographical and Sociological Perspectives (GS36820) - 20 credits
• The psychosocial century (GS30020) - 20 credits
• Urban Risk and Environmental Resilience (GS37520) - 20 credits

---

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Traditional exams
• Coursework
• Practical reports
• Oral presentations
• Web page design
• Short film production
• Online discussion forum contributions

---

Teaching:

The program is taught through a combination of:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Computer practical classes
• Small group tutorials
• Field courses
• Individual supervision of project work

---

Careers:

Graduates of this program are well-prepared for a variety of careers, including:

• Environmental consultants
• Planners
• Civil servants
• Surveyors
• Educators
The program's integrated year in industry provides students with specific skills and experiences that are directly relevant to particular career paths. These skills include:
• Enhanced mathematical and computational skills
• Effective problem solving and creative thinking skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Time-management and organizational skills
• Communication skills (written and oral)
• Self-motivation and self-reliance

---

Other:

• The Department of Geography and Earth Sciences is located on the coast of Cardigan Bay, surrounded by a diverse range of beautiful environments.
• The program offers fieldwork opportunities in New York, Ireland, and Wales.
• Travel awards are available each year to fund student adventures (up to £400).
• The department has modern teaching facilities with the latest technology to enhance learning.
• The department's lecturers are all qualified to PhD level or working towards a PhD.
• The program offers exchange opportunities with universities in Bergen, Oulu, Svalbard, and North America.
• The program is designed to introduce students to key concepts in geographical study, issues and techniques in data collection and analysis, climate change, economic development, and globalization.
• Students will develop computer research skills, learn how to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, produce maps and other graphical representations of geographical data, and participate in a residential field trip overseas.
• Students will undertake an independent research project involving the collection, analysis, and interpretation of their own data.
• Students will be allocated an advisor who will provide expert guidance.
• Students will choose optional modules on a diverse range of specialist topics.