Curious about studying Physical Geographyat Royal Holloway, University of London? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Main Site
Full Time
Sep 2026
3 Year
Physical geographers explore and are inspired by all aspects of our physical environment – from the atmosphere that protects us to the terrain beneath our feet and the living ecosystems that surround us.Study Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London and you’ll develop a deep understanding of the atmosphere, geosphere and biosphere and their interactions with one another, as well as the physical processes that shape and affect our world.You’ll benefit from world-class, research-led teaching in a Department ranked 2nd in the UK for research by the Research Excellence Framework 2014. Fieldwork is a key part of the experience of doing Geography at Royal Holloway. As well as being excellent research training, our extensive programme of fieldwork helps bring the department together as a real community. The department offers a substantial and exciting range of field trips in the UK and overseas. Current locations include Cyprus, Spain, Malawi, Sicily, London and New York. The cost of the Year 1 fieldtrip to Spain is included in the student fee.Duration: 3 years full time
This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.
This module will provide you with an introduction to the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in physical and human geographical research, giving you practical experience in the use of ArcMap (an industry-leading GIS software package). You will look at the use of satellite remote sensing for geomorphological mapping, census classifications and boundaries, and volunteered geographic information.
In this module you will develop your practical research skills on a week-long field-trip to Andalusia in Southern Spain. You will spend four days, guided by staff, looking at specific local examples of physical, environmental, social, economic and cultural processes. You will then spend two days, working in small groups, conducting a short piece of original research on a topic of your choice.
This module will provide you with an introduction to the methods for collecting, interpreting and presenting physical and human geographical information, in both the field and in the laboratory. You will conduct physical and human geography fieldwork in the local area, with activities including surveying and mapping, vegetation sampling and identification, soil and water analysis, interpreting past history, exploratory and inferential data analysis, questionnaire design, interviewing, and visual and textual interpretation.
In this module you will engage with key issues in human geography. You will consider human geography as a distinctive way to approach the world, examining key questions about globalisation, inequality, identity and the nature of place. You will look at approaches to economic, cultural and historical geography, and the development of the discipline, celebrating geographers' active involvement in the challenges facing humanity.
This module will introduce you to human geographical perspectives on political processes, societies, development and the environment. You will develop an appreciation of the importance of scale, networks and spatial patterns, and how geographers have approached the challenges of inequality at local, national and global scales.
In this module you will develop and understanding of the factors that control the physical, biological and chemical forces which shape the Earth's surface. You will look at oceanic and atmospheric processes, plate tectonics, hydrology and coastal processes, glaciation, and arid environments.
In this module you will develop an understanding the complexity of the relationship between people and environment. You will examine how and why ecosystems vary spatially and the impact of human activity, such as deforestation and agriculture, on the physical environment. You will also consider the nature of environmental change, including climatology.
Students will study four modules from: Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability; Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Environmental Change; Biogeography.
Students will study four modules from: Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability; Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Environmental Change; Biogeography.
Students will study four modules from: Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability; Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Environmental Change; Biogeography.
This module develops an appreciation of the historical context which underpins theory concerning environmental history, present-day environmental problems, and the prediction of future environmental changes. Practical training in laboratory methods relevant to testing such theories is involved, and you will train for readiness to undertake fieldwork and third-year independent studies (dissertations) in a range of topical research themes in Quaternary environmental change. Laboratory practicals are designed to give experience in using a number of fundamental methods used in the analysis of stratigraphical records, which underpin the reconstruction of former environmental conditions. The accent is on the careful observation and logging of data, and on precision and accuracy in description and analysis of the processes leading to rapid environmental change. Training is provided in data presentation and in the construction of scientific reports, as well as other key skills in the field of quaternary Science, such as the use of electronic resources and bespoke software packages for bibliographic searching, inspection of large databases of relevant palaeoenvironmental information and practical approaches such as radiocarbon calibration.
Students will study four modules from: Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability; Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Environmental Change; Biogeography.
Students will study four modules from: Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability; Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Environmental Change; Biogeography.
In this module you will have the opportunity to conduct field research in Cyprus, Malawi, New York, Sicily or London, with each destination focussing on a different area of Geography. You will develop your ability to analyse and problem-solve in the field, collecting, interpreting and combining different types of geographical evidence.
Students will study four modules from: Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability; Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Environmental Change; Biogeography.
In this module you will develop your skills in research design, data collection and analysis. You will learn how to handle and process advanced human or physical geography data sets, and further your ability to apply geographical information systems (GIS) techniques. You will also start to plan your dissertation, thinking about proposal design, and risk and research ethics assessments.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
The dissertation gives you an opportunity to undertake an individual piece of geographical research, on a topic of your choice, around 10,000 words in length. You will be allocated a member of staff as a dissertation adviser who will provide advice on research design, data collection and analysis.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
Students will study four modules from: Coast and Estuarine Management; Global Warming; Wetland Environments: Process and Policy; Managing River Environments; Glacial Environments; Digital Landscapes; Arid Africa; Mammals in a Changing World; Volcanoes.
BBC-BBB Grades/points required
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3.9
