Geography and Economics (Placement Year)

BA Hons

  • UCAS code LL72
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 9

    9th for graduate prospects: Economics

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

  • 10

    10th for satisfaction with teaching: Economics

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

  • 10

    10th for Economics

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

Studying a combined degree in economics and geography at Lancaster gives you the opportunity to benefit from expert teaching in both subjects. You’ll be taught jointly by staff in the Lancaster University Management School and our Geography Department, which is part of the Lancaster Environment Centre.

In economics, you’ll learn about the production and distribution of wealth and the consumption of goods and services. You’ll also cover many contemporary world issues. In geography, you’ll study the impact of these issues in terms of geopolitics, sustainable development, environmental conservation and globalisation.

You’ll begin your degree following modules including the Principles of Economics as well as Society and Space - Human Geography. In your second year, you’ll study subjects such as Intermediate Microeconomics; Geographies of Political Economy, and Environment and Society.

In your third year, you will undertake your industry placement in a field related to either geography or economics. As well as working with one of our industry partners, you will also undertake a work-related learning module, which will encourage you to critically reflect upon your time in the workplace and consider how it has impacted your future career goals.

In your final year, you will undertake an extended essay, guided by your academic supervisor. This essay offers a chance to investigate a topic of your choice related to both aspects of your joint degree. While completing the essay, you will use the essential research, analytical and academic writing skills you have learnt throughout your degree.

Careers

Lancaster’s graduates in Economics and Geography develop a unique and insightful perspective on global issues along with excellent analytical skills – this combination of knowledge and skills is highly valued by employers in many areas. Traditional Geography-based careers include planning, teaching and research as well as less-obvious career paths in sectors such as marketing and tourism. Meanwhile, Economics graduates may go on to work in banking, the civil service, management consultancies and major national and international companies. Graduates from our courses are also well-paid, with the median starting salary of graduates from Lancaster Environment Centre and Economics Department being £24,347 and £30,000 respectively (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).

Here are just some of the roles that our Geography and Economics students have progressed into upon graduating:

  • Planning Officer – County Council
  • Campaign Marketing Manager – Pearson
  • Management Consultant – Mott MacDonald
  • Regulatory Consultant – Yordas Group
  • Climate Change Projects Officer - County Council
  • Graduate Planner- Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities
  • Graduate Credit Risk Analyst – Motor Finance Ltd
  • Trainee Chartered Accountant – Accountancy Firm
  • Business Development Manager – Capital Economics

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

Required Subjects A level Geography is recommended, or alternatively one of the following subjects: Anthropology, Classics, Economics, English Literature, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, World Development.

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including Geography or alternative cognate subject at HL grade 6

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in a related subject but may additionally require a supporting A level in Geography or alternative cognate subject at grade B. Please contact the Admissions Team for further advice.

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2025/26 home undergraduate entry fees have not yet been set.

Home International
TBC £27,635

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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