Geography
Explore our planet – develop solutions for a sustainable future
Why ²ÝùÊÓƵ?
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(
Choice of national and international field trip destinations*
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,Stunning coastal location bordering Dartmoor National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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'Benefit from an extensive network of placement providers
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<Flexibility between human and physical geography
Welcome
Geography explores the relationships between people, places and the environment, focusing on contemporary global challenges such as sustainability and climate change. Our graduates have careers in government, conservation, environmental consultancy, teaching, aviation, and transport and planning, among others. We provide a supportive, student-centred environment where lectures are given by research-active academics – many are world leaders in their field. Lecturers use innovative teaching methods to bring geography to life in the classroom, in our state-of-the-art laboratories, and during fieldwork. The field trip schedule offers exciting overseas destinations and the chance to explore our coastal location close to two national parks and several areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Enjoy exploring our range of degree courses, which are accredited by the
Royal Geographical Society
and allow you to move between geography BSc and BA or to combine geography with ocean science or international relations.
Fieldwork
An essential part of studying geography
We provide a leading fieldwork programme taught by geography academics who are expert researchers in their field. Students gain experience of hands-on research, investigating critical contemporary social and environmental issues in a wide variety of environments.
Exchange programme
One of the exciting opportunities that we offer at ²ÝùÊÓƵ is the ability to take part in our exchange programme. This gives you the opportunity to study in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA and other locations abroad. This can offer students the ability to grow an international network, enhance their CV and have an amazing time during their studies!
Read about our student and staff success in our latest newsletter.
Recent edition:
Spring 2025
Professor Jon Shaw
Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
The differences between BA and BSc geography
Geography explores the relationships between people, places and the environment, focusing on contemporary global challenges such as sustainability and climate change. Our BSc (Hons) Geography degree uses predominantly scientific techniques to explore the natural world. BA (Hons) Geography typically focuses on human geography and the impacts of people on societies, mobilities and environmental governance.
Our degrees are flexible, allowing you to move between BA and BSc pathways through our choice of human and physical geography modules.
Discover facilities in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
As a student in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences you will have access to a range of cutting-edge resources and facilities.
These will support your learning in the field and in the laboratory – whether in a traditional chemistry lab or a high-performance computing room. Many are solely for the use of our students and researchers, and you will also have access to
LABplus Resource Centre
and the
Marine Station
.
Discover our range of postgraduate taught programmes
A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do.
Find out more about
equality, diversity and inclusion in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science
.
Find out more about
Academic staff
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![Professor Ian Bailey Professor of Environmental Politics]( "Professor Ian Bailey")
Professor Ian Bailey
Professor of Environmental Politics
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![Professor Will Blake Professor of Catchment Science]( "Professor Will Blake")
Professor Will Blake
Professor of Catchment Science
Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute
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![Dr Tim Daley Associate Professor of Physical Geography]( "Dr Tim Daley")
Dr Tim Daley
Associate Professor of Physical Geography
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![Dr Stephen Essex Associate Professor in Geography]( "Dr Stephen Essex")
Dr Stephen Essex
Associate Professor in Geography
MSc Planning Programme Leader
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![Professor Ralph Fyfe Professor]( "Professor Ralph Fyfe")
Professor Ralph Fyfe
Professor
Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Science and Engineering
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![Dr Nichola Harmer Lecturer in Human Geography]( "Dr Nichola Harmer")
Dr Nichola Harmer
Lecturer in Human Geography
Admissions Tutor, Year 2 Tutor and International Exchanges Co-ordinator
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![Dr Mark Holton Associate Professor in Human Geography]( "Dr Mark Holton")
Dr Mark Holton
Associate Professor in Human Geography
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![Professor Anne Mather Professor in Geomorphology]( "Professor Anne Mather")
Professor Anne Mather
Professor in Geomorphology
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![Professor Clive Sabel Professor of Big Data and Spatial Science]( "Professor Clive Sabel")
Professor Clive Sabel
Professor of Big Data and Spatial Science
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![Professor Jon Shaw Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences]( "Professor Jon Shaw")
Professor Jon Shaw
Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
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![Dr Paul Simpson Associate Head of School - Research]( "Dr Paul Simpson")
Dr Paul Simpson
Associate Head of School - Research
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![Mr Nick Smith Lecturer in Spatial Planning]( "Mr Nick Smith")
Mr Nick Smith
Lecturer in Spatial Planning
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![Dr Matt Telfer Associate Professor of Physical Geography]( "Dr Matt Telfer")
Dr Matt Telfer
Associate Professor of Physical Geography
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![Dr Kim Ward Lecturer in Human Geography]( "Dr Kim Ward")
Dr Kim Ward
Lecturer in Human Geography
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![Dr Ruth Weaver Interim Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience]( "Dr Ruth Weaver")
Dr Ruth Weaver
Interim Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience
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![Dr Matt Westoby Associate Professor of Physical Geography]( "Dr Matt Westoby")
Dr Matt Westoby
Associate Professor of Physical Geography
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![Professor Richard Yarwood Director of Doctoral College]( "Professor Richard Yarwood")
Professor Richard Yarwood
Director of Doctoral College
MSc Human Geography Programme Leader
.jpg "Mr Nick Smith")
*Fieldwork is an essential part of studying geography. Our Royal Geographical Society accreditation means that all of our degree courses include learning through practical experience from the field. In recent years field trips have run to the Pacific Northwest of the USA, Brittany and Dartmoor, among other locations. Fieldwork may be subject to change due to staffing and external factors.
Explore recent field trip destinations
.