BSc Physical Geography
About this course
Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography, a geography degree focused on environmental processes, landscape evolution, and spatial data analysis. Core topics include Fieldwork and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students complete an individual research project in the final year and participate in residential field trips. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Dynamic Landscapes, Ecology and Conservation, Exploring Urban and Natural Environments, First Year Fieldcourse, Geographies of Risk, Principles of Geography, and The Earth System, alongside optional choices including Astronomy For Everyone, Coevolution of Life and Earth, Life in the Cosmos, and Society, Culture and Space. The second year builds technical and research capabilities with compulsory modules like Exploring Physical Environments: Overseas Fieldcourse, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and Remote Sensing for Earth Observation, while offering diverse optional modules such as Economic Geography, Freshwater Ecosystems, Global Climate Change: Science, Impacts and Policy, and Urban Geography. The final year centers on the compulsory Individual Project, supported by advanced optional modules including Arolla Fieldcourse: Geographical Research in Alpine Environments, Biodiversity and Conservation, Desert Landscapes: Modelling and Measuring Aeolian Systems, and Glaciers in a Changing Climate.
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: Pass, with minimum 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level.
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What students say
Based on about 34 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 32 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 57%
- Working and studying: 16%
- Further study: 18%
- Unemployed: 2%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 135 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 23%
- South East: 35%
- South West: 19%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Dynamic Landscapes
- Ecology and Conservation
- Exploring Urban and Natural Environments
- First Year Fieldcourse
- Geographies of Risk
- Principles of Geography
- The Earth System
- Astronomy For Everyone
- Coevolution of Life and Earth
- Life in the Cosmos
- Society, Culture and Space
- Exploring Physical Environments: Overseas Fieldcourse
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Remote Sensing for Earth Observation
- Advanced Geographical Information Systems
- Are you ready for the 100-year life? How should people, business and governments adapt?
- Astronomy For Everyone
- Economic Geography
- Emerging and Resilient India
- Ethics in Science, Engineering and Technology: Jekyll and Hyde
- Everyday Cultures: Identity, Technology and Nature
- Everything, everywhere, anytime - Learning in informal settings
- Freshwater Ecosystems
- Geographies of Wellbeing, Inequality and Place
- Geohazards
- Geopolitics, Borders & Development
- Global Climate Change: Science, Impacts and Policy
- Global Health
- Global Sustainability Challenges
- Intercultural Communication in a Global World
- Introduction to Energy in The Environment
- Introduction to Environmental Pollution
- Introduction to Teachers and Teaching
- Life in the Cosmos
- Population and Community Ecology
- Urban Geography
- Individual Project
- Advanced Geographical Information Systems
- Are you ready for the 100-year life? How should people, business and governments adapt?
- Arolla Fieldcourse: Geographical Research in Alpine Environments
- Astronomy For Everyone
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Desert Landscapes: Modelling and Measuring Aeolian Systems
- Emerging and Resilient India
- Environment and Health
- Environmental Sensing for Real World Geomorphological Challenges
- Ethics in Science, Engineering and Technology: Jekyll and Hyde
- Everything, everywhere, anytime - Learning in informal settings
- Evolutionary Economic Geography
- Geographies of Social Justice, Welfare and Rights
- Glaciers in a Changing Climate
- Global Health
- Global Sustainability Challenges
- Human and Social Adaptation to Climate and Weather Hazards
- Intercultural Communication in a Global World
- Introduction to Teachers and Teaching
- Life in the Cosmos
- Nature Based Solutions
- Palaeoclimate Change
- Professional Practice in Environmental Science
- River Basin Management and Restoration
- Sustainable Resource Management
- The Professional Geographer
- Water, People and Environment: Cambodia Field Course
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Physical Geography at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £42,500. The £34,500 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Physical geographical sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Physical Geography at University of Southampton do next?
91% 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 University of Southampton?
96% 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 University of Southampton?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 145 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Physical Geography at University of Southampton?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.