Geography BSc (Hons)
Study physical geography on this degree accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), using specialist equipment, including laser survey technology, drones, GIS and photogrammetry equipment.
Key information
UCAS code:
F800
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
If you’re interested in the physical nature, characteristics and environment of the world, you can couple your interest with professional skills on this BSc (Hons) Geography degree course, accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).
You'll discover the ways in which our planet and its natural elements work, and graduate ready for a career in everything from environmental management to teaching and academic research.
Course highlights
- Use high-powered tech in our laboratories, including laser survey technology, drones, GIS and photogrammetry equipment and our environmental simulation cabinet – a controlled lab area that simulates different environmental conditions
- Tailor your final year to your own interests and career ambitions by choosing from a fully optional list of modules, including conservation biogeography, hazardscapes and weather science
- Immerse yourself in some of the landscapes and societies you’re studying through fieldwork, including in places such as Berlin, Malta, Sicily and Uganda
- Choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Canada, Poland, Spain or France, or build experience on a work placement at an organisation like the Environment Agency or Natural England
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Accredited by:
This course is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society. This shows the teaching on this course is of the highest quality and has been approved by an independent body of academics and industrialists.
What's the difference between BSc and BA Geography?
Our BSc (Hons) Geography focuses on the science of the natural physical world, while BA (Hons) Geography is more to do with human geography – the ways in which communities, cultures and societies interact with the environment.
Studying BSc Geography
Dr Mark Hardiman discusses the Geography BSc course at the University of Portsmouth.
Hello, my name is Dr Mark Hardiman, and I'm a geographer at the University of Portsmouth. I'm interested in the world around us and understanding it, particularly the natural world.
And at Portsmouth, we look at things like glaciers, rivers, coasts, which, of course, we're surrounded by here in Portsmouth, and environmental change. Of course part of that is going out on field trips to understand these systems, the world around us is our natural laboratory. But also taking samples and bringing this back into the lab so we can do more detailed experiments.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BSc (Hons) Geography degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to join this course after you successfully complete a foundation year.
Facilities and specialist equipment
Environmental Technology Field Station
Conduct tests and analyse samples currently in the ecosystem in a fully-operational waterworks in nearby Petersfield complete with microbiology and environmental chemistry labs.
Physical Geography and Meteorology Laboratories
Use the latest physical and meteorological equipment in our labs, including a rainfall simulator and automatic weather stations.
GIS and Remote Sensing Laboratory
Discover more about the planet's physical structures and scientific processes, such as glaciers and coastal flooding, using drone data, aerial and satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems.
Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit
Gain expertise in high-magnification imaging and analysis of the chemical and physical structure of natural and manufactured materials.
Geography facilities and equipment
Dr Linley Hastewell introduces some of the equipment you'll use in our labs and in the field.
This area of the lab is the more analytical side of the laboratory where students have access to a wide range of different pieces of equipment. What the flume allows us to do is to reproduce those natural conditions and alter them as well.
We can then look at how sediment moves in our manufactured, altered river state compared to that in the field. We also have a range of laser scanners as well. Now, these are used to document changes in the environment. So we've used these on Kilimanjaro, also in Arctic Finland as well, looking at snowmelt. And we can tie that imagery that we get from the laser scanner in with drone footage as well to get a much more complete understanding of how the environment is changing.
We've also got a piece of equipment that the students tend to use when looking at plastic pollution. We have a number of students that go out into the field, take samples, carry out beach surveys. The students are able to analyse those plastic particles and get an idea of not only what the plastic is, but also potentially where it might have come from.
Now, that's really important from a geographical and an environmental context, because it allows the student to not only get an understanding of what the particle is and what the issue is and the extent of that problem. But it also provides opportunities for them to think about the bigger picture and start thinking about how we can address that problem.
And that is a really important quality to take into a competitive workforce.
Geography at the University of Portsmouth
Students and staff discuss studying geography at the University of Portsmouth.
Dr Caroline Day: The broad subjects you might cover are things like geographies of development, the creative economy, transport and sustainability and society and place.
Dr Mark Hardiman: Here at Portsmouth it’s not just about being in a lecture, it’s about going out there and experiencing sometimes quite extreme environments and that’s best exemplified by our field trips. You get to see where global warming is happening now, very rapidly.
Lydia: What I learnt from the field trip was how to work in a team with a group of people and how to manage my time.
Luke: Going on field trips, such as to Finland, has helped me see different cultures and different environments very different to the UK and I think that helps me build as a person.
Lydia: Portsmouth gives me the ability to develop professionally and personally. I’ve learnt a lot from being at the University.
Dr Caroline Day: Coming to Portsmouth will offer students a real sense of geography in action.
The lecturers are very enthusiastic and engaging, and made me want to learn the content even more. I also made many great friends who were just as interested in the topics as I was.
Careers and opportunities
On this BSc (Hons) Geography, you'll study physical geography, how the natural environment was formed, what threatens it and how we can protect it. You’ll deepen your understanding of the world and develop professional skills in areas such as communication, problem solving, decision making and teamwork.
Once you complete the course, you'll be ready for a career in a wide range of important fields and sectors, with technical and professional skills many employers are looking for. Our previous students have gone onto work in areas such as environmental management, business management, public services, teaching and research.
As the Royal Geographical Society state, 74.8% of geography graduates enter professional-level jobs after graduation, compared to an average of 60.8% for the social sciences in general.
It also notes data from the Department for Education that puts geography among the top subjects for graduate earnings.
BSc (Hons) Geography - Sam Crump
Find out how Sam is applying the skills he learned during his time at the Portsmouth
Sam Crump graduated in 2015 with a Geography degree from University of Portsmouth and he is now a Delivery Manager at Upside.
Sam: My name is Samuel Crump and my role here at Upside is a delivery manager for our management consultancy clients.
At school, I wasn't good, in terms of grades, and it progressively got harder as I moved into college, but suddenly realised that there's a lot of learning to be done. This is an important stage in your life. I think that was a big wake up call.
So my interest in sustainability started during those college years. I think it just woke me up to the idea that we have to actually study it, we have to do something about it, basically, and I wanted to be part of that. I wanted that to be my impact and what I could've had as a bit of a legacy on the world.
Geography was the subject I wanted to take, effectively. Portsmouth was highly rated for geography, a good department. The tutors gave me confidence that I was going to be able to learn a lot from them, challenge them and be challenged by them and grow a lot as a person. We had the opportunity to go on an Arctic Circle trip, drilling ice cores, taking samples, air quality samples, that kind of stuff. I learnt a lot and made memories that stick with me until today.
Swimming has always been a big passion of mine. I knew when I wanted to come to university, I wanted to join the sport society and swimming was the one for me. In my final year I had the opportunity to run for the president position which allowed me to basically run a club for circa 200 people. I'm really thankful I had that opportunity because I learnt a lot of business related things as well as a lot of my leadership skills.
Tesla was at the start of my career. Tesla at the time in 2015 had only really just entered the UK market. I always take the risks. I could see the potential in the company to become what it is today. I saw Tesla as a vehicle to be able to enact my mission statement, which was to help people live more sustainably.
I'm now here working at Upside where I'm definitely given the ability to challenge the status quo. You get brought in to help a client solve their problems, basically. I can really put my personality into my work.
What university allowed me to do was to find myself a little bit more, challenge my own thought process, challenge other's thought processes in a kind of very open environment, and I don't think I would have grown into the person I am today without the university experience.
BSc Geography or BA Geography?
Our BSc (Hons) Geography focuses on the science of the natural physical world, while BA (Hons) Geography is more to do with human geography – the ways in which communities, cultures and societies interact with the environment.
Whichever you choose, you'll study both types of geography in your first year, before picking modules on either (or both) in years 2 and 3.
Your module choices will determine whether you graduate with a BSc or a BA Geography, so it helps to know which area interests you most and suits your career aspirations better before choosing which degree to study.
What jobs can you do with a geography degree?
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- geographical information scientist
- environmental monitoring technician
- spatial analyst
- coastal process scientist
- urban planner
- transport planner
- geospatial consultant
- GIS cartographer
- quantity surveyor
- geography teacher
Graduate destinations
Organisations our graduates have gone on to work for include:
- Balfour Beatty
- Arcadis
- IBM
- Ordnance Survey
- Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
- The Environment Agency
- The National Trust
- MoD Civil Service
You could also go on to study at postgraduate level.
Ongoing careers support
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
Placement year (optional)
Either before or following your third year, you can opt for a work placement year to gain valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.
You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas – some Geography students have chosen Australia, Spain or Malta for their placement year.
Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.
You'll also hear guest speakers from potential employers and get support from students who have returned from their placements.
Potential roles
Previous students have taken placement roles such as:
- environmental scientist
- research scientist
- environmental assessment officer
- surveyor
- flood risk assessor
- teacher
Potential destinations
They've completed placements at organisations including:
- Atkins Global
- Pfizer Research and Development
- Hampshire Ecological Services
- The Environment Agency
- Natural England
Study abroad
You’ll also have the chance to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Canada, Poland, Spain or France, which is a fantastic opportunity to explore a new destination and experience the world as an international student.
Many of our students describe their time spent studying overseas as truly life-changing, as well as an excellent way to stand out to future employers.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
You’ll get an introduction to academic skills for geography and environmental students in weekly tutorial sessions.
You’ll cover essay writing, referencing, plagiarism, presentations, searching literature, note taking, and CV writing.
You’ll cover the basic concepts of systems analysis as applied to physical environmental systems, including concepts of equilibrium, thresholds and change.
You’ll examine physical systems on a global scale, exploring the key components that drive environmental systems and natural hazards and how they are inter-related. You’ll then look at physical systems on a smaller scale to learn about the operation of physical environmental systems at the scale of human intervention.
You’ll collect and record data in the field, and learn how to identify appropriate ways of analysing it.
Work both independently and as part of a team in the field, you’ll evaluate your own and one another’s contributions to group outcomes. You’ll also communicate and reflect on your findings via scientific reports and poster presentations.
You’ll cover the full range of techniques commonly applied by geographers, including cartography, remote sensing, field surveying, experimental design, laboratory use, social science research methods, and statistics.
You’ll use key software in structured practicals, including Excel and Adobe Illustrator.
Through case studies, in-depth lectures and workshops, you’ll think about the nature and extent of human impact on the environment, and learn about the complexities of managing environmental, population and resource change at local and global levels.
You’ll consider the relationships between economic, political, social and cultural systems, both in general and in particular places.
Explore spatial and temporal scale, as well as the social construction, evolution and distinctiveness of place. You’ll also think about the implications and problems of global processes for particular parts of the world.
Core modules
You'll be introduced to and engage in a number of qualitative and quantitative data collection and practical activities. This will help develop your ability to work in a team and to collect, collate and record geographical data. It will also introduce potential career pathways for students and review the skills required to apply for jobs.
On this course you'll:
- Plan the experimental approach for a scientific investigation, including ethics and risk assessment.
- Demonstrate proficiency in research skills.
- Analyse and interpret scientific data.
- Demonstrate comprehension in molecular biology methods.
Optional modules
You'll undertake a minimum of 80 hours of placement work, voluntary work or relevant professional experience. You'll develop your work experience and enhance your CV ready for either a year-long placement or to apply for jobs. You'll gain organisation and communication skills, and experience relevant to your future career as you critically reflect on your learning experience and engagement with the Careers and Employability Service and the science Faculty Placements Office. Your engagement will also be further overseen by your tutor and module coordinator.
You'll also have access to supporting workshops that are supplemented by work based learning hours.
Your 80 hours of work experience should take place between between the June period at the end of level 4 and before the end of the first teaching block at level 5, enabling you to complete assessments. You'll also need to secure relevant employment, volunteering or placement opportunity by the start of teaching block 1 during your second year.
You’ll learn about the discipline of environmental change and palaeoecology, focusing on practical techniques used in the study of the Earth's environment at a variety of temporal and spatial scales.
You’ll also gain skills in a range of palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction techniques, including sediment coring, microfossil analysis and geochronology.
You’ll examine social, cultural, political and economic development from both theoretical and policy perspectives.
Through lectures, seminars and a museum visit, you’ll engage with key development processes and debates at a range of geographical scales, including the global, national, community, household and individual levels.
You’ll learn core theory underpinning GIS and RS, before applying the theory through the use of industry standard software. You’ll explore the capture, interpretation and analysis of geographical and environmental data from a variety of sources to explore 'real world' problems and challenges.
You’ll study glacial processes and landforms using a range of examples from glacial environments.
You’ll learn concepts and theory in a series of lectures, before getting to grips with this in action in practical sessions and seminars.
You’ll get familiar with the big issues and contemporary debates in education studies as well as the role and expectations of a teacher.
You’ll develops fundamental knowledge and skills that teachers require, as well as your capability to structure and critique a lesson plan.
You’ll get an introduction to fluvial geomorphology and a foundation in the discipline for developing a career in the environmental management sector.
You’ll examine fluvial forms and processes, including flow dynamics and the mechanics of sediment erosion, transport and deposition. Take part in lab classes to demonstrate fundamental processes of open channel flow and sediment transport in alluvial rivers.
You’ll also complete a project to show what you’ve learned about river channel processes in the context of an environmental management issue.
You’ll examine the complex and contested concept of Sustainable Development and the spectrum of views that surround it, as well as its roots, origins and core principles.
You’ll explore the problems of achieving sustainable management of the environment, with reference to finite and renewable resources. You’ll also think about different approaches to sustainable management at different scales and in different geographical regions using empirical case studies.
You'll consider aspects of a city such as urban plannng, urban design, neighbourhoods, housing, town centres, community facilities, parks, access to greenspace, leisure and retail facilities and the role of these in life quality.
You'll also consider how these 'urban goods' are unevenly distributed along lines of social class, race, gender, age, disability and sexuality.
You’ll focus on understanding volcanoes as systems, examining mantle-to-surface magmatic processes and how to identify key volcanic rocks and minerals.
You’ll explore volcano-sedimentary sequences alongside geochemical and isotopic data to understand volcanic eruptive histories and magmatic evolution over time.
Finally, you’ll also consider the plethora of volcanic hazards and risks alongside risk management strategies as well as other human-volcano interactions.
Through interactive lectures with academics, speakers and professionals, you'll discuss, debate and complete practical exercises exploring wildlife crime alongside your classmates.
You'll spend time examining wildlife crimes and the factors behind them, as well as environmental justice and sustainability.
You’ll develop your powers of critical analysis and evaluation, alongside your capacity for empathy and insight.
Topics you’ll cover include contrasting theories and/or policies, reflection on your own personal experiences and how these relate to contemporary issues, and critical consideration of approaches to the study of children and young people.
Core modules
Supported by your Academic Tutor, you'll select and manage information and competently undertake research tasks. You'll assess health and safety, the ethical considerations in pursuing independent research, and critically evaluate your findings against knowledge in available academic literature.
You'll learn to discuss and communicate your key findings found from your research and write a dissertation in accordance with academic conventions.
Optional modules
You’ll examine the physical factors driving climate over history and the signatures of modern anthropogenic influence.
Through climate modelling software, you'll investigate future warming scenarios and impacts regionally and globally. In a self-directed study, you'll assess vulnerabilities and solutions - evaluating possibilities for adaptation and mitigating climate change.
You’ll examine the development of core social theories and discourses that underpin the human and environmental management of these environments and the recreational activities that take place within them.
You’ll then apply these concepts to a broad range of real-world issues, including land use planning, ecotourism, climate change and conservation, and the management of recreational and leisure activities.
You’ll learn about the dynamic complexity of cold environments through first-hand field experience, seeking to explain how physical and/or human processes at work in cold environments produce a range of environmental outcomes. This module also includes a series of lectures that will set your field experience in the wider context of environmental change in Arctic and/or planning of cold urban environments for environmental sustainability.
On this module you'll:
- Outline the basic principles of conservation, including anthropogenic factors.
- Critically evaluate the biogeography and conservation literature.
- Analyse and creatively interpret conservation data.
- Communicate conservation principles effectively, in a style suitable for multiple audiences.
You'll think about how cultural and creative industries have become the answer for de-industrialised cities looking for a new economic role. You’ll consider the role of the Creative Economy to drive sustained urban economic growth and regional development.
Working with local creative workers and looking at artist hubs, co-working spaces, maker-spaces, freelance and home-based businesses, you'll explore who can be a creative worker, how/where they can perform work, and how this can change or gentrify our neighbourhoods.
You'll think about how cultural and creative industries have become the answer for de-industrialised cities looking for a new economic role. You’ll consider the role of the Creative Economy to drive sustained urban economic growth and regional development.
Working with local creative workers and looking at artist hubs, co-working spaces, maker-spaces, freelance and home-based businesses, you'll explore who can be a creative worker, how/where they can perform work, and how this can change or gentrify our neighbourhoods.
You’ll learn essential data analysis skills you’ll need for your future career, including how to produce a carbon audit to current Defra standards and how to present data to a range of stakeholders.
You’ll also produce a consultancy-style report evaluating environmental impacts and potential savings, and explore the role of environmental impact assessment in the planning system.
You’ll become familiar with the main environmental pollutants, how they’re transferred within and between various media and how they interact with biota to create an environmental risk.
You’ll explore the waste management hierarchy and the scientific and technical processes involved with waste management operations.
As well as exploring the theoretical approaches to gender and development thought, and especially feminist thought, you’ll also examine a series of axes of diversity in relation to women's and men's lives in the South.
You’ll focus on the obstacles in achieving equality between men and women, and think about the theoretical and conceptual approaches to understanding and analysing gender issues in the global South.
You’ll consider these hazards from a number of angles, including how these are expressed upon landscapes, the nature of natural hazards through a range of spatial and temporal scales, and the effect these have on past and present human populations and civilisations.
You’ll look at geophysical hazards like earthquakes, biological hazards such as pandemics, hydrological hazards like droughts, climatological hazards such as wildfires, and anthropological hazards like nuclear war.
You’ll get familiar with the big issues and contemporary debates in education studies as well as the role and expectations of a teacher.
You’ll develops fundamental knowledge and skills that teachers require, as well as your capability to structure and critique a lesson plan.
On this module, you’ll study Quaternary geology - the branch of geology that studies developments from 2.58 million years ago to the present day.
You’ll investigate past environments and associated landform-sediment assemblages of relevance to engineering geologists, geologists and geographers, including glacial and periglacial ground models, fluvial sediments and interglacial environments.
You’ll learn the fundamentals of atmospheric physics (radiation, hydrological cycle, pressure patterns) and how this creates weather patterns across the globe. Topics include extreme weather events, storm patterns, jet streams, atmospheric teleconnections and circulation.
You’ll also look at spatial variation in climate, and examine controls of micro, local and regional climates, including urbanisation, vegetation, topographical and coastal influences.
Boost your employability by taking an industry-based work placement year with a relevant organisation or immerse yourself in another culture by studying for a year at one of our partner universities worldwide.
This is an amazing opportunity to either put everything you’ve learned so far into action in a real workplace or expand your horizons and set yourself up for your future career by studying abroad and becoming a student ambassador for our university.
Depending on what you choose, we’ll help you find and secure an exciting placement opportunity within an appropriate company or organisation, or you’ll expand your global perspective and develop additional skills to boost your future career during a study abroad year.
This is a Connected Degree
We're the only university that gives you the flexibility to choose when to take a work placement. Take it after your 2nd year, before returning to finish your studies. Or after your final year, connecting you into the workplace.
If you're not sure if or when to take your placement, don't worry. You'll have plenty of time to settle into your studies and explore your options before making your choice.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- coursework
- examinations
- contributions to electronic discussion forums
- web page design
- posters
- projects
- presentations
- portfolios
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- one-on-one tutorials
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who’ll teach you on this degree course.
Clare Boston, Senior Lecturer
Clare specialises in glacial processes, landforms and sediments. Her research includes work on past glaciation in Britain and recent glacier change in Norway and Greenland, and encompasses fieldwork, remote sensing and GIS.
Clare teaches on the following modules: L4: Practical Fieldwork Skills, Tools for Geographical Enquiry, Environmental Processes and Hazards, L5: Glaciers and Glaciation, L6: Independent Study (dissertation).
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Geography degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as tutorials, lectures, practical classes and workshops and external visits for about 11 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU residents – £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £19,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Compulsory fieldwork
Your course fees cover the cost of travel and accommodation for compulsory fieldwork, but you’ll need to budget for meals and subsistence costs.
Optional fieldwork
On some of the optional units in the final year of the course, you’ll need to contribute to the cost of field trips. These costs are often £300–£2000. You can take optional units in your final year that have no field trips.
If you take an optional placement unit or placement year, you’ll need to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence. These costs will vary depending on the duration and location of the placement. The cost will usually be £50–£1000.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,430 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,430 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – F800
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.