BSc Physical Geography
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BSc in Geography, spanning physical and human geography. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The programme includes field trips to Spain, Cyprus, Malawi, Sicily, London and New York, with the Year 1 trip fee included in tuition. Optional modules in years 2 and 3 allow specialisation, and students may complete either a standard dissertation or an independent placement-linked dissertation.
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: BBB (Required subjects: We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)) IB: 5,5,5 at Higher level or 30 points overall.
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
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: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 25%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 30%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 15%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 16%
- London: 27%
- South East: 41%
- South West: 7%
- Wales: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) for the purpose of recognising the delivery of geographical knowledge, understanding, skills, approaches and attributes expected of high quality geography graduates.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- The Dynamic Planet: Introduction to Physical Geography
- Introduction to Human Geography
- Global Environmental Crises
- Living Planet: Global Biodiversity and Sustainability Challenges
- Geographical Techniques
- Human Geography Research Techniques
- Geographical Research and Field Training 1
- Becoming a Geographer
- Academic Integrity
- Geographical Techniques 2
- Geographical Field Training 2
- GIS and Geospatial Data Analysis
- Contested Geographies
- Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability
- Earth Surface Processes and Hazards
- Environmental Change
- Biogeography
- Political Geography
- Cities: Economies and Ecologies
- Cultural Geographies of the Modern World
- Perspectives on Development
- Sustainability
- Society and Space: Politics, Identity and Justice
- Dissertation
- Independent Placement-Linked Dissertation
- Coast and Estuarine Management
- Global Warming
- Wetland Environments: Process and Policy
- Managing River Environments
- Glacial Environments
- Digital Landscapes
- Arid Africa
- Mammals in a Changing World
- Volcanoes
- Regeneration and Urban Policy
- Geography of Commodities
- Post-Capitalist Cities
- Geopolitics of Media and Communications
- Exploration, Science and Making of Geography
- Geography, Museums and Collections
- Creative Geographies
- Gender & Development
- Cities and Development in the Global South
- Mobilities
- Challenging Development? Disasters, Conflict and Human (in)Security
- Critical GIS
- Atmosphere: Art, Science, Politics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £40,500. The £32,000 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Physical geographical sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London?
87% 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 at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 121 UCAS points.
Is BSc Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) for the purpose of recognising the delivery of geographical knowledge, understanding, skills, approaches and attributes expected of high quality geography graduates.
Does BSc Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Physical Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.