BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad
About this course
Bachelor of Science in Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad BSc, a planning, property and environmental management and geography degree focused on spatial dynamics and environmental systems. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork. Students spend the third year studying abroad at an international exchange partner institution. The first year covers environmental systems, academic futures, and planning fundamentals through modules such as LC Connected Earth: Environmental Systems and Change, LC Fieldwork: Principles and Practice, LC Planning for the Built Environment, and LC Research Design for Geographers and Planners. The second year advances spatial analysis, urban policy, and practical skills through compulsory and optional modules like LI Dissertation Labs for Human Geography and Planning, LI Field Research Skills for Human Geography and Planning, LI Skills for Planners: Planning Practice Studio, and LI Urban Policy Design and Planning Analysis. The third year is spent studying abroad. Optional modules across the stages span cultural geographies, development geographies, political geographies, ecological systems, environmental pollution and management, and hydrology and river management.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: ABB. IB: 6,5,5 32 points overall.. BTEC: We welcome students studying BTEC qualifications as an alternative to A levels, and accept BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate. Please contact us for further guidance.
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What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 96%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 60%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 83%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 54%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 370 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 26%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 20%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 20%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- LC Connected Earth: Environmental Systems and Change
- LC Discover Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES): Academic and Professional Futures
- LC Fieldwork: Principles and Practice
- LC Planning for the Built Environment
- LC Research Design for Geographers and Planners
- LC Societies, Space and Place
- LI Dissertation Labs for Human Geography and Planning
- LI Field Research Skills for Human Geography and Planning
- LI Skills for Planners: Planning Practice Studio
- LI Urban Policy Design and Planning Analysis
- LI Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems
- LI Cultural Geographies
- LI Development Geographies
- LI Digital data capture and analysis
- LI Ecological Systems
- LI Environmental Human Geography
- LI Environmental Pollution and Management
- LI Hydroclimatology: Climate and Water
- LI Hydrology and River Management
- LI Political Geographies
- LI Social Geographies
- LI Urban Geography
- LI Study Abroad (Geography)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £29,500 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £45,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Planning (urban, rural and regional).
What do graduates of BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 124 UCAS points.
Is BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Does BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Geography and Urban and Regional Planning with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.