BA Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year)
About this course
BA (Hons) Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year), a geography degree examining the complex interactions between human societies and natural environments. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course includes an integrated professional placement year between the second and final years. The first year covers core academic foundations through Environment, Development and Society, Key Concepts in Human Geography, Equitable and Sustainable futures 1: Sites of Global Change, and Introduction to Global Challenges. The second year progresses to advanced methods and thematic studies via From Foundations to Innovations in Human Geography Research, Equitable and Sustainable Futures 2: Power and Place in the Global South, Engendering Change, and Research Skills and Project Design, alongside optional modules such as Megacities and Urbanisation, Ecosystem Management and Conservation, Food, Space, Culture and Society, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Geographical Information Systems, and Solving Environmental Problems with Code. The final year centers on independent investigation alongside compulsory modules like Equitable and Sustainable Futures 3: Inequalities, Change and Hope and Sustainability Clinic, while optional choices allow students to explore Energy Transitions and Low Carbon Futures, Atmosphere and Ocean Science, Biodiversity and Society, Pollution: Monitoring, Assessment and Control, Land Use Change and Management: A Global Perspective, Tackling Britain’s Environmental Challenges (field course), Left Behind Places, and Migration, Immigration and Social Policy through a mandatory Research Project.
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: AAB IB: 35 points BTEC: DDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus A at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus AA at A level Distinction, Distinction in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus A at A level
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What students say
Based on about 45 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 27 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 16%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 21%
- East Midlands: 10%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 19%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 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): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Environment, Development and Society
- Key Concepts in Human Geography
- Equitable and Sustainable futures 1: Sites of Global Change
- Introduction to Global Challenges
- Introduction to Research Skills
- Environmental Change in the Anthropocene
- From Foundations to Innovations in Human Geography Research
- Equitable and Sustainable Futures 2: Power and Place in the Global South
- Engendering Change
- Research Skills and Project Design
- Megacities and Urbanisation
- Ecosystem Management and Conservation
- Food, Space, Culture and Society
- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
- Geographical Information Systems
- Solving Environmental Problems with Code
- Research Project
- Equitable and Sustainable Futures 3: Inequalities, Change and Hope
- Sustainability Clinic
- Energy Transitions and Low Carbon Futures
- Atmosphere and Ocean Science
- Biodiversity and Society
- Pollution: Monitoring, Assessment and Control
- Land Use Change and Management: A Global Perspective
- Tackling Britain’s Environmental Challenges (field course)
- Left Behind Places
- Migration, Immigration and Social Policy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year) at University of York earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £45,500. The £34,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Human geography.
What do graduates of BA Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year) at University of York do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year) at University of York?
83% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year) at University of York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
Does BA Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year) at University of York include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year) at University of York?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.