Humans share a unique and complex relationship with nature. Explore this fascinating dynamic with our Geography (Human and Physical) BSc and gain a deep understanding of Earth’s landscapes and environments while discovering how human societies connect with the natural world. Engaging in fieldwork, laboratory exercises, and industry work placements will equip you with essential hands-on experience, enabling you to pursue a diverse career in the geography sector such as environmental consultant, science teacher, geospatial data analyst, or logistics manager.

Course overview

Society faces significant challenges concerning our natural world. Studying human and physical geography, you will learn a wide range of topics and develop professional knowledge and skills that employers highly value, opening doors to different career opportunities and empowering you to make meaningful contributions to a more sustainable world.

Our programme has been designed to provide you with a solid grounding in human and physical geography during year one, laying the foundation for advanced study in years two and three.

Human geography explores the cultural, economic and social dynamics that shape human interactions with our environment from globalisation to spatial inequalities. Physical geography examines natural processes and features such as climate change, landforms and ecosystems. You’ll study diverse topics, providing you with critical skills in spatial analysis, data interpretation and problem-solving. These include climate change, geomorphology, and the ethical challenges in managing Earth’s resources. You’ll also examine the rights of indigenous and marginalised communities, explore sustainable use of global water resources, analyse human impact on the environment and engage with contemporary geography research.

A major part of the curriculum is the practical application of geography. You will gain professional skills using digital, statistical and laboratory-based methods for collecting and analysing geographical data in our state-of-the-art Central Science Labs.

Foundation Year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Your future career

A degree in geography equips you with the tools to tackle the big challenges facing society in the 21st century. As a geographer, you'll develop a wide range of transferable and subject-specific skills including research design, collection and analysis of spatial data, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), professional writing, coding, and proficiency in statistical techniques. These skills are highly valued by employers and are relevant to a broad range of careers. They also provide ideal training for postgraduate study and research.

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to include:

Cartographer

Environmental Consultant

Geographical Information Systems Officer

Geospatial Data Analyst

International Development Worker

Journalist

Logistics Manager

Market Researcher

Planning and Development Surveyor

Residential Surveyor

Science Teacher

Systems Developer

Town Planner

Duration of study: 3 years / 4 years with international or placement year