What you'll study
The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.
First year modules
Our BA and BSc programmes share a core first year, providing a thorough grounding in human and physical geography before specialising in your chosen pathways.
Fieldwork is integral to our programme and all core field trips, including our second year overseas trips, are provided free of charge. Hull is well placed to explore the geographical diversity of its region with areas from the North Sea Coast to the North York Moors all within easy reach.
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Compulsory
Planet Earth
A look at the planet we live on and its constituent systems and processes: oceans, atmosphere, biosphere and tectonics.
Worlds of Connection and Difference
This module will introduce you to key perspectives in contemporary human geography. It uses the themes of difference and connection to explore a wide range of case studies.
Exploring Worlds Around Us
You’ll find out about many different ways of studying the world around us by exploring a specific field trip location.
Landscapes of the World
This module introduces you to different landforms and landscapes found across the globe: from mountains and glaciers to rainforests, coastal and marine environments and deserts.
Interpreting Environments
This module introduces you to some key tools we use to interpret the environments around us, such as computer mapping and data analysis.
Development and Change
Our changing world faces many challenges, especially in developing countries. Learn how geographers approach development, inequality, sustainability and governance.
Second year modules
The second and final years of our BSc Geography programme allow you to specialise in physical geography while continuing to take some human geography modules.
You will choose modules from six academic pathways: hazards, Earth surface dynamics, environmental change, sustainability and development, cities and globalisation, and people, culture and place.
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Core
Frontiers in Physical Geography
This module gives you the tools needed to be a physical geographer and make an original contribution to our knowledge of the world.
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Compulsory
Field Studies (Physical Geography)
Visit field locations including Tenerife and Almeria, as well as UK destinations, where you'll design and conduct your own research projects.
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Choose one
Living in the Anthropocene
You'll consider profound questions about the scale of the impact of human activities on our planet and the prospects for sustainable global environmental stewardship.
Green Planet
Discover the fascinating world of photosynthetic organisms, from single celled marine algae to the giant trees of the tropical rain forests. Practical classes will teach you ways of investigating plants and algae in the lab and in the field.
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Optional
Environmental Change
Investigate how the environment, especially the climate, changes in the past, present and future through a combination of lectures and practical activities.
Geohazards
Explore what constitutes a geohazard, and the specifics of a range of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, flooding, and climate-related hazards.
Geomorphology
Look at Earth surface processes from the source in upland areas to the sink in coastal environments. You'll learn about sediments are eroded, transported and deposited.
Cities and Globalisation
Using real examples of cities from around the world, you'll examine urban development patterns and processes in an era of rapid globalisation.
Cultural and Historical Geography
You'll be using sources as diverse as films, music, art, landscape and maps to learn about the cultural, historical and social processes that make our world.
Sustainable Futures
Study key issues relating to the concept of sustainability and attempts to create more sustainable ways of living.
Geographical Information Systems
Develop your understanding of the principles and processes behind GIS, the nature and use of spatial data and the application of GIS on this practical module.
Year abroad modules
You will spend year 3 studying abroad at a university of your choice. During this year, you will follow a programme of study agreed between yourself and the department prior to your departure. You will take all assessments set by the host university while you are overseas, for which marks will be awarded and a final transcript released.
Final year modules
The final year of our BSc Geography programme allows you to specialise further in the areas of geography that you are most interested in.
You will have the chance to spend one semester gaining real-world experience working on a project with an outside organisation from the private, public or non-profit sectors.
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Core
Dissertation
You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.
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Optional
Conservation in a Changing World
Managing and protecting the natural environment is difficult enough, but we currently face rapid and dramatic change in climate, environment and socio-economic structures. Explore the challenges of planning effectively for conservation in a changing world.
Volcanoes and their Hazards
Explore the key themes and current research-led understanding of volcanological processes and hazards, volcanic monitoring and management of volcanic crises around the world.
Palaeoenvironments
This module will take you on a journey through the current Ice Age, which spans the last 2.6 million years.
Adapting to Climate Change
Investigate climate change, its impact on us and our adaptions to it, as well as future climate change scenarios. This module uses a combination of lectures, PC practicals and seminars.
Rivers and their Management
A practical look at how we manage rivers, both in terms of the water they carry and their influence of a changing landscape.
Cities and Regions
This module introduces you to key concepts and policies related to urbanisation and regional development, focusing on selected examples from North America.
Feeding the City
Explore the production and consumption networks that feed the city, following food from field to fork. Consider the complex systems of farming, food processing, retail and consumption that feed us.
Green Economy
Explore different theories, strategies and actions to green our economy and society in response to pressing issues such as climate change, resource scarcity and social inequalities.
Geographies of Oppression and Resistance
You'll cover topics such as neoliberalism and the ‘War on Terror’, totalitarianism, institutions of oppression, the civil rights movement, suffrage campaigns and climate change protests.
Professional Consultancy Project
Work with an external host organisation on a research project designed to be useful to them, while being supervised by university tutors.
Teaching Project
This module provides you with real world teaching experience and allows you to conduct a project with a school into an aspect of teaching and learning in your subject.
Geotechnologies A: Advanced GIS
Develop your geospatial analysis and modelling skills with GIS. This will provide you with key expertise when you enter the geographic job market.
Advanced Field Study
You’ll research first-hand the challenges of harnessing human and physical resources in a developing country to meet the needs for sustainable development.
All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.