Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
BB27
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Specialise in human or physical geography, or a combination of both
- Explore critical global issues such as disaster risk reduction, glacial retreat, geopolitical conflict, poverty, inequality and social justice
- Access cutting-edge labs and technology to conduct your own research
- Develop hands-on skills in urban and rural environments, in the UK and beyond
- Gain real-world work experience and placements at every level of study – plus the chance to study and work abroad
- Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.
On the BA/BSc Geography course, you’ll develop a dynamic understanding of human and physical geography – gaining knowledge of the world and understanding how to shape its shared destiny. You’ll graduate with a degree that’s professionally accredited by the Royal Geographical Society.
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
How you learn
The BA/BSc Geography course introduces you to a wide range of topics, before allowing you to tailor the course to your interests. You’ll begin on an identical course structure in the first year of human and physical geography. You’ll then specialise in human or physical geography, or a combination of both, in your second and final years.
You’ll be taught by geographers who are at the forefront of research and public debate shaping the discipline. This is reflected in our teaching and external work – on everything from the geographies of social justice to the geographies of glacial retreat in an era of climate change.
You learn through:
- Fieldwork
- Lectures and seminars
- Tutorials and workshops
- Work experience and professional placements
- Laboratory classes
- IT sessions
- Residential field trips
- Group debates
- Case studies
Key themes
We design our programmes with input from professional bodies, including the Royal Geographical Society, to ensure your learning meets today’s employment demands. You’ll have access to cutting-edge equipment and software, meaning you’ll get the best practical learning experiences, giving you crucial training ahead of your future career.
Our course community provides a comprehensive level of support. Our staff will help you with everything from finding placements to the transition from A level to university – we’ll help you succeed in a collaborative and supportive environment.
You’ll dive headfirst into real-life case studies and projects – learning how to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges, locations and organisations. You’ll be able to explore how geographical theory intertwines with the practical and professional realities of the world around us.
The course combines both the academic and applied aspects of human and physical geography, preparing you for an exciting career in this ever-evolving field.
Course support
At every level of study, students are given the opportunity to thrive, culturally, personally and professionally. Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Free access to office and studio space, expert workshops, freelance opportunities and a vast business network ready for you to tap into
- Find out more about our course, facilities and student community on the SHU Geography and Environment website.
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Rebecca Sharpe
Senior Lecturer in GeographyDr Sharpe joined Sheffield Hallam University as a Lecturer in 2014 continuing her research and teaching Data Analysis and Environmental Geography.
Applied learning
Your course has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Work experience is integrated within the curriculum at each year of study. We put applied learning and practical experience to the forefront of your learning – aiming to give you as much tangible practice as possible.
Work placements
You’ll have the option to undertake a year-long professional work placement between your second and final years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
A sandwich placement is recognised as the ‘gold standard’ opportunity to apply your knowledge within an employment field of your choice. Here you’ll work with a private company, government body or voluntary organisation on their latest ventures.
Study abroad
You can also choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities for a semester in your second year.
We have international study exchange agreements in countries including Australia, Canada, Finland, Italy, and Norway. Many of our European partner institutions teach in English, so a second language is often not required.
You may also have the opportunity to study and work in a country of your choice, with funding through the Turing Scheme.
Field trips
Fieldwork puts learning into context and provides some of the richest experiences on the course. As well as our onsite facilities, we use Sheffield’s city centre and the stunning Peak District National Park, right on our doorstep, as a base for learning.
We also have residential field trips to outstanding locations in the UK and internationally. Recent destinations have included the Netherlands and Iceland.
Real-world employment
As well as the academic content, the modules you study get involved with our very active student Geography Society. Together you can organise and enjoy social and academic events, as well as experiencing a programme of inspirational speakers, many who are leaders in their fields.
Beyond this, you can engage with volunteering, accrediting bodies, research projects, and guest speakers – enabling you to apply course knowledge and skill sets in real-world contexts.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a wide range of career choices in the fields of:
- Education and teaching
- Planning and housing
- Environmental and ecological consultancies
- Water, energy and other utility companies
- Logistics
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Data analysis
- Local and national government
- Non-governmental organisations
- Finance and accountancy
- Market research
- Travel, tourism and retail
- Further study and research
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- The Fairtrade Foundation
- Yorkshire Water
- The Environment Agency
- Wildlife trusts
- Network Rail
- The Ministry of Defence
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
On this course you will have access to:
- Various cutting-edge industry-standard software packages and technology, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- A bespoke resources room
- A wide range of technical laboratory equipment supported by our team of technicians
- A range of field equipment – from those related to photography and film production to those used in activities like surveying, soil analysis and hydrological studies – including differential GPS, total stations, drones, ground penetrating radar, water velocity meters, water quality testing equipment, coring equipment and magnetometers
360 tour - Materials Lab
Learn more about your department
Natural and Built Environment Facilities Tour
Take a look around the natural and built environment facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Camila Bassi.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 64
This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications excluding general studies For example:
- CC at A Level
- MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with D or E from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent
ACCESS
- Access to HE Diploma, with at least 45 level 3 credits.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Contemporary Issues In Social Science 1
Contemporary Issues In Social Science 2
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Approaches To Human Geography
Climate Change And Sustainability For Geographers
Planet Earth
Professional Geographer
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Fieldwork For Global Challenges
Geographical Research And Practice
Geographies For A Just Future
Elective modules
Contemporary Debates In Human Geography
Environmental Pollution
Study Abroad - Social Sciences
Year 4
Compulsory modules
Placement
Final year
Compulsory modules
Dissertation, Employability, And Communication
Elective modules
Creating Sustainable Cities
Development And The Global South
Geographies Of Everyday Life
Glaciology
Living With Hazard And Risk
Nature And Society
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences (PDF, 154.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
