BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad)
About this course
BSc Hons in Physical Geography (Study Abroad), a geography degree centred on environmental and landscape processes. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Human Behaviour. The course includes a dedicated study abroad year at an international partner institution, and concludes with an independent dissertation project. The first year establishes core foundations through Atmosphere, Weather and Climate, Biodiversity and Global Change, Foundation Skills for LEC, Introducing Research in Geography, and Reading the Landscape. Year two advances technical abilities through Geographical Data Science, Living with the Landscape, and Physical Geography in Practice. Year three involves studying abroad at an approved international partner university. The final year centres on an independent Dissertation, alongside optional modules covering topics such as Climate Change, Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, Eco-Innovation for Sustainable Development, Environmental Pollution: Management and Remediation, Geological Hazards, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science, Managing the Energy Transition, Spatial Data Analysis, Sustainable Agriculture, The Earth's Interior, Volcanic Processes Field Course, Teaching, Outreach and Public Engagement, and Water Resources 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. We recommend that this includes Geography, or alternatively you should have one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Studies, Mathematics or Physics. IB: 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including Geography or alternative cognate subject at HL grade 6
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 75%: 6 offers from 8 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Engineering professionals: 10%
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 210 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 34%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 12%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 14%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
- Biodiversity and Global Change
- Foundation Skills for LEC
- Introducing Research in Geography
- Reading the Landscape
- Introduction to Practical Environmental Science
- Geology
- Geographical Data Science
- Living with the Landscape
- Physical Geography in Practice
- Atmospheric Science
- Ecology and Conservation
- Glaciology
- Hydrology and Water Quality
- Geoscience in Practice
- Soil Science
- Sustainable Hebrides: Field Course
- Study Abroad
- Dissertation
- Climate Change
- Cryosphere in a Changing Climate
- Eco-Innovation for Sustainable Development
- Environmental Pollution: Management and Remediation
- Geological Hazards
- Interdisciplinary Conservation Science
- Managing the Energy Transition
- Spatial Data Analysis
- Sustainable Agriculture
- The Earth's Interior
- Volcanic Processes Field Course
- Teaching, Outreach and Public Engagement
- Water Resources Management
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £40,000. The £32,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Physical geographical sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 142 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University?
75% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 6 offers from 8 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Physical Geography (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.