PhysicalGeographyBSc Honours

UCAS code FH823 Years

www.ncl.ac.uk/ug/FH82Printed from the web page above on 03/01/2020

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Physical GeographyBSc HonoursUCAS code FH823 Years

This degree gives you the opportunity to focuson physical geography from the very start ofthe course. You will develop a deepunderstanding of the processes that shape ourplanet and how they impact on humanactivities.

You explore some of the key environmental issues facing ourworld today, as well as learning Earth science concepts andtechniques, with an emphasis on how landscapes evolve.

You will become skilled in an array of techniques forinvestigating and understanding the natural environment anddevelop laboratory and GIS skills.

You'll also enjoy fieldwork in both the UK and abroad, withfield visits ranging from nearby Northumberland to Moroccoand New Zealand.  

Highlights of this degreeQuality and rankingGeography at Newcastle is highly regarded. We rank:

• top 100 – Geography category – QS World UniversityRankings by Subject 2019

• top 200 – Social Sciences category – Times HigherEducation World University Rankings by Subject 2018

• 10th in the UK for research – Research ExcellenceFramework 2014

Boost your employability with a work placementApply to spend 9 to 12 months on anoptional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. Youcan apply to spend your placement year with anyorganisation and will receive University support to do so.

You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector,putting your learning into practice and developing yourprofessional expertise.

It will extend your degree by a year and is subject toavailability, however it isn't available if you're spending a yearstudying abroad.

Find out more about Work Placements.

FieldworkFieldwork is important throughout this degree. You will takepart in:

• an eight-day residential trip to put your technical skills intopractice at the end of Stage 1

• a field trip in Stage 2, examining landscapes in Moroccoor New Zealand 

• a residential field course in the UK in Stage 3

The North East provides an ideal environment in which tostudy physical geography and you'll take regular day trips toexplore:

• coasts and mountains• rivers and moorland• landscapes displaying a rich record of their evolution over

lengthy timescales

We are also only an hour from the Lake District, the ScottishBorders and the North York Moors, expanding the superblandscapes we engage with as part of your degree.

Study abroadYou have the chance to broaden your academic experienceby taking part in a study abroad exchange through theErasmus scheme. You can study abroad in a Europeancountry for between three and nine months.

We have partner institutions throughout Europe (some ofwhich teach in English). Our recent exchange students havestudied in:

• Denmark• France• Germany• Spain• Sweden

Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS)This degree is also approved by DTUS for entry to alltechnical corps.

DTUS is a Ministry of Defence sponsorship programme forstudents who wish to join the Royal Navy, British Army,RAF, or Defence Engineering and Science Group(DESG) as technical officers after graduation.

Find out more on the DTUS programme.

Facilities and supportThis degree is taught jointly by the School of Geography,Politics and Sociology and the School of Engineering so youwill spend time in both Schools.

FacilitiesYou will benefit from industry-standard equipment tosupport your studies, including:

• field instrumentation• GPS positioning equipment• a wide range of photogrammetric and image-handling

software and hardware• extensive computing facilities

Throughout your studies you will use state-of-the-artlaboratories, including:

• Geomorphology Laboratory• Cosmogenic Isotope Laboratory• Spatial Analysis Laboratory• Chemistry Laboratory

Take virtual tours of the facilities available to geographystudents at Newcastle University using the links above.

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SupportYou will have an academic member of staff as a personaltutor throughout your degree. They can help with academicand personal issues. You'll also enjoy close interaction withteaching staff. 

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellowstudents who can help you settle in and answer anyquestions you have. We also provide an extended inductionprogramme.

Social activitiesYou’ll become part of a really lively community of staff andstudents in both Schools. GeogSoc is one of the University'slargest student-run societies. They organise social eventsthroughout the year.

Students using a group study space in our RobinsonLibrary.

Course Details

Modules for 2019 entry

Please noteThe module and/or programme information below isfor 2019 entry. Our teaching is informed by research andmodules change periodically to reflect developments inthe discipline, the requirements of external bodies andpartners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers ofstudents interested (in an optional module). To find outmore read our terms and conditions.Module/programme information for 2020 entry will bepublished here as soon as it is available (end of May2020).Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts foran academic year and you need to complete modulestotalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Furtherinformation, including the credit value of the module, isavailable in each of the module descriptions below.

Stage 1

Compulsory modulesYou take compulsory modules that give you a firmfoundation in physical geography and essentialgeographic skills.CEG1702  Geographic Information SystemsCEG1705  An Introduction to GNSS and its ApplicationsCEG1706  Principles of Remote SensingGEO1005  Environmental IssuesGEO1019  Physical Geography Field CourseGEO1020  Introduction to Physical GeographyGEO1096  Geographical SkillsGEO1103  Quantitative Geographical Analysis

Stage 2

Compulsory modulesYou take the following compulsory modules:GEO2127  Doing Physical Geography Research: Theoryand PracticeGEO2137  Key Methods for Physical GeographersYou also choose one of the fieldtrips below: GEO2037  Ireland FieldtripGEO2125  Fieldwork at homeGEO2227  Physical Geography Fieldcourse: New ZealandOptional modulesYou also select 60 credits from the optional modulesbelow:

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Stage 2

GEO2136  Global Environmental ChangeGEO2226  Glacial EnvironmentsGEO2228  BiogeographyGEO2229  River Catchment DynamicsCEG2606  Geological ResourcesCEG2609  Research Methods in Environmental PollutionCEG2704  Geographic Information Systems: Theory andApplicationCEG2708  Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning ICEG2709  Applied Remote Sensing and ImageProcessingYou may spend Semester 2 studying abroad, subject toagreeing an overall selection of modules with the moduleleader and with permission from the DPD:GEO2112  Student Exchange Semester 2** In this case you still take GEO2137 and GEO2127,studied by blended learning semester 2.In addition, with the approval of the DPD, alternativeoptional modules to those listed above may be selected(maximum 20 credits). Recommended options include:NCL2007  Career Development for second year studentsARA2004  Animals, Plants and People: an Introduction toEnvironmental ArchaeologyWork Placement (optional)You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optionalwork placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can applyto spend your placement year with any organisation andwill receive University support to do so. It will extend yourdegree by a year and is subject to availability. It isn'tavailable if you're spending a year studying abroad. Findout more about Work Placements. 

Stage 3

Compulsory modulesGEO3099  Dissertation ORGEO3098  Dissertation for Study Abroad students (iftaking GEO3115)Optional modulesYou will select 80 credits from the following list if notalready chosen:GEO3128  Polar EnvironmentsGEO3144  Landslides from Pole to PoleGEO3147  PaleoclimatesGEO3152  Applied Fluvial GeomorphologyGEO3155  Geographies of RiskCEG2708  Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning ICEG3701  Advanced GIS FieldcourseCEG3707  Geohazards and Deformation of the EarthCEG3716  Geospatial InformaticsIf you did not take GEO2112 at Stage 2, you may spendSemester 1 studying abroad, subject to agreeing anoverall selection of modules with the module leader andwith permission from the DPD:GEO3115  Student Exchange**Students may not take GEO2112 in combination withGEO3115.

Stage 3

With the approval of the Degree Programme Directoralternative optional modules to those listed above may beselected. Recommended outside options include:ARA3004  GeoarchaeologyNCL3007  Career Development for final year students ORNCL3008  Advanced Career Development

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methodsWe use practical surveying classes, complemented bylaboratory work, computer-based scientific analysis, anddevelopment of models and theories, to deliver a ‘hands-on’approach to geography.

All of our geography courses enjoy a high level of staff andstudent interaction, including:

• tutorials• lectures• laboratory work• seminars

Assessment methodsYou will be assessed by a combination of coursework andexaminations. Coursework may include reports, essays,presentations and data analysis.

All modules also require a considerable amount ofindependent study, culminating in a dissertation underexpert supervision in Stage 3.

Find out moreVisit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about theoutstanding learning experience available to all students atNewcastle University.

Careers

Physical geography careersOur graduates’ excellent employment record is a sign of theflexibility and professionalism that our geography degreesdevelop.

The range of skills that geographers acquire is much soughtafter by employers, and our graduates therefore haveaccess to a wide variety of careers.

Our degrees provide experience of a host of general skillsincluding written and oral presentation, teamwork, projectmanagement, problem solving, numeracy, computing,mapping and graphics and research skills. 

Geographers are adaptable, and their broad understandingand range of approaches to the world and its problems arerelevant to many different jobs. Organisations that haverecruited our graduates in recent years include:

• the Scientific Civil Service

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• the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills• Raleigh International• the Armed Forces• the National Health Service• the Environment Agency• the British Council• Natural England• the Scottish Wildlife Trust• Newcastle City Council

Many of our graduates also enter management roles withcompanies such as Unilever, Nissan and KPMG; somebecome accountants, bankers, computer programmers,teachers or research assistants, whilst others take upcareers in environmental consultancy.

Others specialise in particular areas of geography by takingan MSc or PhD, and an increasing number travel abroad, insome cases doing voluntary work, before seeking paidemployment.

Find out more about the career options for Geography fromProspects: The UK's Official Careers Website.

What our graduates go on to do:employment and further studychoicesSee what our recent graduates went on to do and viewgraduate destinations statistics. These statistics are basedon what graduates were doing on a specific date,approximately six months after graduation. Take a look atthe most recent data available for our graduates.

The destination data is available in varying levels, beginningwith the University and moving through Faculty and Schooldown to individual course reports. This final level may giveyou some useful ideas about possible options after yourcourse or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability atNewcastleNewcastle University consistently has one of the bestrecords for graduate employment in the UK.

96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduatesprogressed to employment or further study within sixmonths of graduating.

85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment orfurther study within six months of graduating.

We provide an extensive range of opportunities to allstudents through an initiative called ncl+. This enables youto develop personal, employability and enterprise skills andto give you the edge in the employment market after yougraduate.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest andbest in the country, and we have strong links withemployers.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees (UK students)

2020 entry:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.Please note:The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UKstudents is set by the UK government.As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

2020 entry:£9,250 You will pay the same tuition fees as UK studentsfor the duration of your course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.Please note:As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Tuition Fees (International students)

2020 entry*:£19,200*Please note:You will be charged tuition fees for each year of yourdegree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchangeprogramme).The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightlyyear on year as a result of inflation.

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Tuition Fees (International students)

If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad aspart of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for thatyear.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UKstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support (EUstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

We offer a range of scholarships to eligible internationalstudents:Vice-Chancellor's International ScholarshipsVice-Chancellor’s Excellence ScholarshipsVice-Chancellor’s Global ScholarshipsWe also offer International Family Discounts which areavailable for all international students with a close familymember who has graduated from or is now studying atNewcastle University.Newcastle University offers Sanctuary Scholarships foreligible undergraduate students (excludes MBBS andBDS students) from asylum-seeker and refugeebackgrounds. Some of our subject scholarships and sportsscholarships are also available for international students.

Apply

Applying to Newcastle Universitythrough UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you mustuse the online application system managed by theUniversities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzwordAsk your teacher or adviser from your school or college forthe UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when youregister on the Apply system. This makes it clear whichschool or college you are applying from.

All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU andinternational establishments are registered with UCAS.

If you are applying independently, or are applying from aschool or college which is not registered to manageapplications, you will still use the Apply system. You will notneed a buzzword.

Making your applicationOn the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

• application deadlines and other important dates• offers and tracking your application

Application decisions and enquiriesFind out more about our admissions process and who tocontact if you need help with your application.

Newcastle's iconic bridges at night.