BSc Geography
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Geography, a geography degree focused on the physical and environmental processes shaping the planet. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Communication & Writing. The four-year programme includes practical fieldwork and computer modelling techniques. The first year covers climate change, environmental issues, Earth surface processes, and global economic and societal problems. The second year examines global change, environmental geography, and landscapes and geomorphology. The third year focuses on geographical research design, data collection, and data analysis in field settings, alongside planning independent research for a dissertation. The final year explores advanced topics such as water resources, ice sheet change, ecological landscape degradation, volcanoes, landslides, sea-level rise, deforestation, and coastal erosion.
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: from AAA to ABB in one set of exams (required: Geography at B, Biology at B, Chemistry at B, Electronics at B, Environmental Science at B, Environmental Technology at B, Geology at B, Mathematics at B, Physics at B) IB: from 34 points with 655 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 26 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- 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: 85%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Engineering professionals: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 195 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 27%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 39%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Modules
- climate change
- environmental issues
- Earth surface processes
- global economic and societal problems
- ecology
- natural hazards
- oceanography
- atmospheric science
- global change
- environmental geography
- landscapes and geomorphology
- guide you through the process of planning independent research for your dissertation in Year 4
- teach you important transferable skills such as interpreting complex data, working with GIS , and presentation skills
- data collection
- data analysis in field settings
- geographical research design
- water resources
- ice sheet change
- ecological landscape degradation
- volcanoes
- landslides
- sea-level rise
- deforestation
- coastal erosion
- its practical applications to your future career
- the breadth and value of geographical research
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Geography at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £44,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Physical geographical sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Geography at University of Edinburgh 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 at University of Edinburgh?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Geography at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 190 UCAS points.
Does BSc Geography at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Geography at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.