Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per 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
1. 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.
2. 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 the possibility of 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.
3. 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
4. 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 more5. Equipment 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.
6. 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.
Compulsory modules
This module examines a number of contemporary themes and issues relevant to the study of psychology, sociology, social policy, politics and international relations, geography, and sustainable environmental management. You’ll expand your knowledge of these disciplines and develop the academic skills you’ll need in your successful progression into higher education.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Different research approaches and using data to investigate a problem
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Key perspectives, ideas and theories
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Key themes in natural science, and society’s relationship with our changing world
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Citing and referencing information
This module examines a number of contemporary themes and issues relevant to the study of psychology, sociology, social policy, politics and international relations, geography and sustainable environmental management. You’ll expand your knowledge of these disciplines and develop the academic skills you’ll need in your successful progression into higher education.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Different research approaches and using data to investigate a problem
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Key perspectives, ideas and theories
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Key themes in natural science, and society’s relationship with our changing world
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Citing and referencing information
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
This module explores the contested nature of the origins and development of human geography from the historical to the contemporary period, and how the discipline’s various approaches to knowing and understanding the world addresses societal change and problems.
Indicative content:
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Quantitative revolution
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Humanistic geography
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Cultural turn
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Critical geographies
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Geographies of gender, sexuality, ‘race’ and ethnicity,
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Geographies of empire
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Decolonial / postcolonial geographies.
Module aim:
To introduce you to approaches to sustainability in the complex and dynamic interactions between societies and environments. You will also start to develop an understanding of the drivers of change in environments over space and time, including the interactions between climate, ecosystems and landscapes.
Indicative content:
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Past change (including shifting baselines).
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Future scenarios and impact.
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Global sustainable development issues and impacts.
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Inequalities and injustice at the global scale.
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The biodiversity crisis.
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Challenges / tensions between sustainability and economics.
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Policy and action to address climate change and promote sustainability.
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Studying at university.
Module aim:
To explore a wide range of physical processes, how they have shaped, and continue to shape, landscapes and environments across the world, as well as the interactions between humans and the landscape.
Indicative content:
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Global perspective on physical geography and holistic interactions between the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere.
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The sensitivity of environmental systems to perturbations, both natural and human made.
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Human and societal aspects of the physical science.
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Global and local case studies to understand physical processes, landscape change and human interactions.
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Field skills: GIS mapping, primary and secondary data collection and analysis and site observations.
Module aim:
This module will enable you to develop geographical techniques and professional skills which build a foundation for your future studies and career. You will critically reflect on your skills and ambitions and understand how these align with the expert roles of geographers in society.
Indicative content:
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Digital skills
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GIS
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Analysis and presentation of data / information
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Research skills – qualitative and quantitative / mixed methods
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Employability and careers (presenting as a professional / aspirations / ambitions / work experience)
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Practical skills
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Fieldwork
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Communication
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Geographical themes
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EDI awareness
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Reflection / personal growth / self-awareness
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
To use fieldwork and spatial research toolkits to explore a range of global challenges in distinct geographical contexts.
Indicative content:
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Environmental hazards and impacts in distinct geographical contexts.
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Sustainability challenges and approaches in distinct geographical contexts.
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Social inequality and injustice in distinct geographical contexts.
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The intersection of human and physical geography field work for a fuller understanding of the world and real-world challenges.
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Understanding the past and present factors/processes that shape places.
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GIS site context mapping and analysis.
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GIS in the field.
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Fieldwork and field data gathering methods – quantitative and qualitative.
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Collaborative research.
Module aim:
This module equips you with the insight and ability to design and undertake independent research and professional experience. You will also gain real-world experience by undertaking a 120 hour Work Integrated Learning placement for an external organisation.
Indicative content:
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Work placement
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Employability skills
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An online statistical course
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Research approaches and design – human and physical geography
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Developing a dissertation proposal
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Ethical conduct for research and professional practice
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Reflective practice
Module aim:
To develop inclusive and interdisciplinary understandings of the physical and human dimensions of both small-scale energy and water management approaches and the social and political geography of access to energy and water at local and global scales.
Indicative content:
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Global water and energy sustainability and access challenges.
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Working principles and requirements of community led small-scale water and energy supply technologies.
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Environmental and social impacts of small-scale water and energy supply technologies.
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Developing equitable and sustainable water and energy management solutions.
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Local and global case studies to evaluate social (equity, economic, spatial, political) implications of water and energy management approaches.
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Local and global case studies to deliberate the social and political geography of access to energy and water, including geopolitical conflict.
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Field skills: fluvial calculations, GIS mapping, primary and secondary environmental, social and economic data collection and analysis, interviews, observations and literature reviews.
Elective modules
Module aim:
This module explores some of the most recent debates at the very forefront of the discipline, with critical deliberation of the consequences of these debates to understanding and changing the world.
Indicative content:
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Contemporary debates in social and cultural geography
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Contemporary debates in economic geography
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Contemporary debates in political geography
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Contemporary debates in development geography
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Contemporary debates at the nexus of human and physical geography.
Module aim:
To explore a range of ways in which the environment becomes polluted, and methods and techniques that can be applied to mitigate and remediate these problems. You will also gain an understanding, appreciation and experience of working in collaboratively in interdisciplinary contexts.
Indicative content:
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Key EIA themes e.g. air quality, contaminated land, ecology, flood risk etc
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Approaches used in environmental monitoring
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Data collection (field and / or lab work)
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Numerical and data processing skills
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Communication
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Collaborative / interdisciplinary working
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability.
Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification.
Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
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Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
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Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
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Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
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Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
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Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
This module will enable you to further develop your research skills and apply these in both academic and professional contexts. You will design and implement projects working both individually and in groups, and present your findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences using varied modes of communication. You will further develop your professional experience by working with experts from external partner organisations on live, real word projects focused on solving critical contemporary problems.
Indicative content:
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Research design
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Project management
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Ethics and risk assessment
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Digital skills
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GIS
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Analysis and presentation of data
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Communicating to specific audiences.
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Fieldwork
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EDI awareness
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Reflection / personal development
Elective modules
Module aim:
To develop geographically informed knowledge and understanding of the contested nature of discourses, processes, and practices of development within world regions that can be identified as being part of the ‘Global South.’
Indicative content:
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Understandings, contestations and representations of 'the Global South' as a geographical and geopolitical entity
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Colonialism, post-colonialism, globalisation in Global South context
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Patterns and politics of socio-economic development and power relations in the Global South (race, gender, class etc)
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Political ecology of socio-environmental change and resource use
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Case study content relating to distinctive cultural and geopolitical regions
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Comparative perspectives on regional processes of development and change within the Global South
Module aim:
This module advances knowledge and understanding of the geographies of everyday life and its relevance to socio-spatial identities and relations, and to social, cultural and political change in the world.
Indicative content:
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Different theoretical approaches to the geographies of everyday life
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Political geographies of everyday life
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Emotional geographies of everyday life
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Everyday geographies of consumption
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Urban geographies of everyday life
Module aim:
This module will develop a knowledge of key topics related to the cryosphere, including past, present and future human-environment linkages, and related transferable digital skills. This will be done primarily through applied learning in a series of topical practical sessions that develop advanced IT skills (including GIS and Remote Sensing), which are related to the study of glaciers, but also widely applicable in many other academic and professional contexts.
Indicative content:
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Physics of glaciers
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Glacier hydrology
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Glaciers and climate change
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Ice sheets and climate change
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Future ice sheet projections
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Contemporary issues and challenges in glacial environments
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GIS and Remote sensing in glaciology
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Data presentation and visualisation
Module aim:
This module aims to provide a holistic and global understanding of the interconnected natural and social elements of Disaster Risk Reduction, by examining a range of climate-related, geophysical, hydrological, and industrial hazards. It explores risk assessment and monitoring, preparedness, response, and mitigation, and seeks to address questions around long-term vulnerability, equity and resilience in the face of uncertainty and change.
Indicative content:
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Key concepts in Disaster Risk Reduction
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The complex social, political, economic and geographic factors impacting dynamic vulnerability
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Multi-hazard scenario analysis
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Governance and policy relating to Disaster Risk Reduction
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Ethics, colonialism and inequity in management of environmental hazards
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Extreme weather and meteorological hazards
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Drought, wildfires and climatological hazards
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Flood and landslide hazards
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Seismic and volcanic hazards
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Environmental pollution and industrial hazards
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Hazard analysis approaches; monitoring, modelling, data and geospatial information
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Uncertainty, risk evaluation and management
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Institutional and individual perceptions, preparedness and response
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Adaptation, mitigation and resilience to hazard and risk
Module aim:
In this module you will develop your understanding of approaches to designing, communicating and evaluating evidence-based solutions to current environmental challenges through case studies from across the world. You will gain experience of embedding different forms of knowledge into decision making around pathways towards sustainability, justice, and equity.
Indicative content:
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Theories and approaches to environmental justice, sustainability, equity, governance,
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Indigenous knowledges / worldviews / human and non-human interdependence
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Challenges: Protected area management / Urban landscapes / Biodiversity net gain / Climate / Nature-based solutions
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Synthesis of evidence / systematic evidence review
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Understanding models of effectiveness / measuring success
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Communication methods
Module Aim:
The module introduces key concepts and practices for sustainable urban planning and is designed to equip students with a range of knowledge and skills to understand, plan and manage sustainable cities.
Indicative content:
Module content may vary in response to changing teaching and professional developments but could include:
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Planning for Sustainable Cities: Definitions, Concepts and Challenges.
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The Planning System: Policy and practice.
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Economic Development: The role of the firms and production in sustainable city regional economies.
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Urban Regeneration and Redevelopment: Making use of previously developed land; managing and developing the changing city centre.
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Transport Planning: Sustainable Mobility and connectivity.
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Planning for Climate Change: Mitigation and adaptation Strategies; resilience; biodiversity.
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Environmental Planning: Green Infrastructure; the green circular economy.
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Community, Health and Wellbeing: Healthy people focussed places.
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Smart Sustainable Cities: Technology and smart urban management.
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Comparative/ International examples of sustainable cities- cross national learning.
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Actually existing UK (United Kingdom) Sustainably Planned Cities?
8. Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on this course in 2025/26 is £5,760 for the foundation year and £9,535 per year for the degree (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.
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 (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)
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, 255.2KB)
Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
