Physical Geography

Core Modules

Year 1

• Physical Geography I: Atmosphere, Oceans and the Geosphere

  In this module you will develop and understanding of the factors that control the physical, biological and chemical forces which shape the Earth’s surface. You will look at oceanic and atmospheric processes, plate tectonics, hydrology and coastal processes, glaciation, and arid environments.

• Physical Geography II: Biogeography, Ecology and Scales of Change

  In this module you will develop an understanding the complexity of the relationship between people and environment. You will examine how and why ecosystems vary spatially and the impact of human activity, such as deforestation and agriculture, on the physical environment. You will also consider the nature of environmental change, including climatology.

• Human Geography I: Cultures, Economies, Histories

  In this module you will engage with key issues in human geography. You will consider human geography as a distinctive way to approach the world, examining key questions about globalisation, inequality, identity and the nature of place. You will look at approaches to economic, cultural and historical geography, and the development of the discipline, celebrating geographers’ active involvement in the challenges facing humanity.

• Human Geography II: Politics, Society, Development and Environment

  This module will introduce you to human geographical perspectives on political processes, societies, development and the environment. You will develop an appreciation of the importance of scale, networks and spatial patterns, and how geographers have approached the challenges of inequality at local, national and global scales.

• Geographical Techniques

  This module will provide you with an introduction to the methods for collecting, interpreting and presenting physical and human geographical information, in both the field and in the laboratory. You will conduct physical and human geography fieldwork in the local area, with activities including surveying and mapping, vegetation sampling and identification, soil and water analysis, interpreting past history, exploratory and inferential data analysis, questionnaire design, interviewing, and visual and textual interpretation.

• Digital Geographies: Introduction to Remote Sensing and GIS

  This module will provide you with an introduction to the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in physical and human geographical research, giving you practical experience in the use of ArcMap (an industry-leading GIS software package). You will look at the use of satellite remote sensing for geomorphological mapping, census classifications and boundaries, and volunteered geographic information.

• Geographical Research and Field Training I

  In this module you will develop your practical research skills on a week-long field-trip to Andalusia in Southern Spain. You will spend four days, guided by staff, looking at specific local examples of physical, environmental, social, economic and cultural processes. You will then spend two days, working in small groups, conducting a short piece of original research on a topic of your choice.

Year 2

• Geographical Techniques II

  In this module you will develop your skills in research design, data collection and analysis. You will learn how to handle and process advanced human or physical geography data sets, and further your ability to apply geographical information systems (GIS) techniques. You will also start to plan your dissertation, thinking about proposal design, and risk and research ethics assessments.

• Geographical Field Training

  In this module you will have the opportunity to conduct field research in Cyprus, Malawi, New York, Sicily or London, with each destination focussing on a different area of Geography. You will develop your ability to analyse and problem-solve in the field, collecting, interpreting and combining different types of geographical evidence.

You will take two from the following:

• Environmental Systems: Processes and Sustainability
• Earth Surface Processes and Hazards
• Environmental Change
• Biogeography

Year 3. You will take of the following:

• Dissertation

  The dissertation gives you an opportunity to undertake an individual piece of geographical research, on a topic of your choice, around 10,000 words in length. You will be allocated a member of staff as a dissertation adviser who will provide advice on research design, data collection and analysis.

• Independent Placement-Linked Dissertation

You will take four from the following:

• 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

Optional Modules

Year 1

• All modules are core

Year 2

• Political Geography
• Cities: Economies and Ecologies
• Cultural Geographies of the Modern World
• Perspectives on Development

Year 3

• 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
• Remote Control: Geographies of Contemporary Warfare

The course has a modular structure, whereby students take four course units per year. Some course units are compulsory while others are options thereby offering flexibility and choice. Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the course units you choose to take. In the final year, you will write a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice which you will research and write with individual guidance from your tutor. The first year is foundational and marks do not count towards your final degree. The second year and final year marks do count, with more importance being given to the final year marks in order to reward progress and achievement.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and small seminar groups, tutorials and practical workshops. The department has a substantial and varied programme of field training and laboratory work, giving you the opportunity  to apply your skills and knowledge in a practical setting. Private study and preparation are essential parts of every course, and you will have access to many online resources including the University’s comprehensive e-learning facility, Moodle, which provides a wide range of supporting materials.

We use a range of assessment models to suit different learning styles, from fieldwork exercises and reports, individual and group presentations to coursework essays and examinations.  In your final year you will have the opportunity to write a research-led dissertation.

At least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics

A Levels: AAB-ABB

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A - levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio - economic factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants. Read more about what we look for here.

Other UK Qualifications

Select your qualification International Baccalaureate BTEC National Extended Diploma BTEC National Diploma BTEC National Extended Certificate Welsh Baccalaureate Scottish Advanced Highers Scottish Highers Irish Leaving Certificate Access to Higher Education Diploma

International & EU requirements

Select your country European Baccalaureate Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Cyprus (South) (Greek-Cypriot system) Cyprus (North) Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Ghana Greece Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Israel Italy Japan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Kuwait Latvia Liechenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malaysia Malta Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Serbia and Montenegro SaudiArabia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland (Federal) Switzerland (French) Switzerland (German) Switzerland (Italian) Tanzania Taiwan Thailand Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates USA Vietnam West Indies

English language requirements

We accept the following internationally-recognised English language qualifications:

• IELTS
• Pearson Test of English
• Cambridge ESOL

Find out what score you need.

As a Physical Geography graduate from Royal Holloway, University of London you will have excellent employability prospects in a variety of related sectors. Our industry links give you ample opportunity to experience rewarding placement opportunities.You’ll also be well equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to progress onto postgraduate study if you choose.

Recent alumni have gone on to enjoy careers in coastal management, wildlife conservation, carbon consultancy and even the media.

Home and EU students tuition fee per year*: £9250

International students tuition fee per year**: £17500

Other essential costs***: You will have the opportunity in your first year to go abroad and carry out fieldwork for no additional cost. In your second and third years you may choose to participate in fieldwork abroad that will incur additional costs of between £750 and £2000. However it is possible to complete the degree programme with no additional fieldwork costs.

How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, scholarships and bursaries.

^*The tuition fee for UK and EU undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations, and for students starting a degree in the academic year 2018/19 will be £9,250 for that year, and is shown for reference purposes only. The tuition fee for UK and EU undergraduates has not yet been confirmed for students starting a degree in the academic year 2019/20.

^**Fees for international students starting a degree at Royal Holloway in the academic year 2019/20 have not yet been set, and those for 2018/19 are shown for reference purposes only. Fees for international students may increase year-on-year in line with the rate of inflation. The policy at Royal Holloway is that any increases in fees will not exceed 5% for continuing students. For further information see fees and funding and our terms and conditions.

^***These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree programme at Royal Holloway. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing etc., have not been included.