Human Geography

BA Hons

  • UCAS code L720
  • Entry year 2024 or 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

This course has Clearing vacancies for 2024

Apply now to make the most of your grades at a Top 10 UK university, with guaranteed accommodation in your first year.

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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 8

    8th for Geography

    The Guardian University Guide (2024)

  • 12

    12th for Geography and Environmental Science

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2024)

  • Joint 96th for Environmental Science in the QS University World Rankings by Subject 2024

With a unique blend of social sciences and geography, gain first-hand experience of the ways in which people interact with their environment and how they form communities, cultures, and economies.

You will study a diverse range of modules that are developed and taught by our world-class academics who are leading experts in human, environmental and political geography, development studies and Anthropology, political economy and science and technology studies.

Our location, between the rural settings of the north and the bustling cities of Liverpool and Manchester, enables us to explore some of the UK’s most unique areas of geographic interest. You will gain a wealth of hands-on experience with field trips to places such as Manchester city centre, the Cumbrian coast and Lake District, as well as international locations such as Croatia.

While studying at the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), you will have access to state of the art computer systems and software. You will work in comfortable class sizes, giving you the opportunity to get to know your lecturers personally and benefit from their expert knowledge and helpful one-to-one advice.

First year modules equip you with a well-rounded introduction to some of the key themes of human geography, as well as helping you to develop skills used by geographers to analyse problems within the discipline. In addition to the Geography modules, you will be given the opportunity to take two other subjects alongside your first year studies. You may use this opportunity to explore some of the many subjects offered within the LEC, study further social sciences such as Sociology or Politics, or gain transferable skills in Economics or Marketing, for example.

In the second year, you will undertake a series of core modules that focus on human geography skills and concepts and research project skills. Optional choices include our Communicating Geography module in which you can help teach the subject in a local school, gaining valuable classroom experience.

In the third year you will undertake a dissertation project, guided by your academic supervisor, which offers a chance to perform original geographical research on a topic of your choice. While completing the dissertation, you will use the key research, analytical and academic writing skills you have learnt throughout your degree. You may wish to take advantage of the unique opportunity to collaborate with a business to complete your dissertation research, allowing you to gain valuable work experience at the same time. In addition, you may select from a range of optional modules which cover topics such as food and agriculture, health, enterprise and global consumption, as well as field courses to Croatia and Switzerland.

BA Hons Human Geography (Study Abroad)

This programme includes a year of study at a university in USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, giving you the opportunity to explore the history, culture and many other aspects of human geography in a different country.

MArts Hons Geography

Our MArts Hons Geography degree has a strong emphasis on Human Geography. The fourth year of this programme equips you with advanced knowledge, skills and experience by enabling you to take a second dissertation and Master's-level modules. There is also a Study Abroad option that enables you to spend a year studying in North America or Australasia.

Assessment

We offer flexible programmes with a strong emphasis on practical learning. You will engage in a wide range of modules that span the breadth of geographical topics and infuse content from humanities and social sciences. Your work will be regularly assessed by a combination of fieldwork and practical assignments, in addition to written examinations and project reports.

Careers

Studying human geography provides you with insights into the complex relationship between people and place – insights which can lead you into a multitude of fascinating careers. Our graduates have found work in a diverse range of institutions, from city councils and secondary schools to architecture firms and environmental consultancies. Human Geographers are also well placed to secure roles and opportunities in sectors that might not be obvious such as marketing and sales, travel and tourism, and commercial business. This is down to your transferable skills in communication, software competencies, project management and data analysis. Graduates from our courses are also well-paid, with the median starting salary of graduates from Lancaster Environment Centre being £24,347 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022).

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

  • Senior Policy Advisor - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
  • Trainee Teacher – Teach First
  • Graduate Planner – Savills UK
  • Digital Marketing Executive – Newicon Ltd
  • Town Planner - Cassidy + Ashton Architects, Building Surveyors & Planners
  • Sustainability Consultant – Evora Global
  • Modular Planning Analyst – ASDA
  • Sustainability, Communications and Engagement Assistant – University of Nottingham
  • Court Clerk - HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
  • Academic Development Assistant – Fauna and Flora International

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

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 C or 4, 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 32 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, Merit 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 qualification. 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

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.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2024/25 are:

Home International
£9,250 £28,675

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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