The University of Winchester
Geography (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)
The University of Winchester

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Learn about the climate emergency and responding to it, how the natural world interacts with today’s changing society and how we can plan for the future

Geography is a subject valued by employers and graduates have high employability rates. The course prepares you for a variety of potential career paths.

Experience a wide range of teaching and learning methods, including fieldwork, class seminars and workshops, laboratory and IT sessions and independent research.

From glaciers to megacities, geography is the study of the earth’s processes, both natural and human. As a subject it has the capacity to take you almost anywhere, and field exploration is a major component of study. Our course explores some of the most pressing issues facing the planet in the 21st-century: climate change, pressures on the natural world and society and how these can be mitigated and managed.

The course takes a hands-on, practical approach. You could be advising imaginary governments on globalisation, population growth, resource shortages, geopolitical instability and managing natural hazards. You could be planning and carrying out a day surveying a site subject to sea level rise and erosion threats, or gathering samples from the field to analyse past climates. We are set on the edge of the South Downs National Park half an hour from the coast and an hour by train from London. We are perfectly placed to make the most of the diverse and beautiful landscapes that surround Winchester, for both fieldwork and for recreation.

The Foundation Year (first year of study) gives you the chance to commence your studies with us if you have not quite achieved the entry qualifications required or if you feel you would benefit from the opportunity to develop your study skills and subject knowledge prior to embarking on your degree. Through a range of engaging, small-group lessons and practical placements, you will be equipped with the academic, professional and personal skills to help you succeed at university.

Each year of study has a distinctive emphasis. In Year 1 (second year of study) you receive a broad introduction to geography and geographical issues. You receive detailed teaching on the climate emergency, consequences for society and responses. In Year 2 (third year of study), you are encouraged to develop your geographical practice through specialised modules including the option for international fieldwork, laboratory and technology-based elements. An international study abroad semester is available. Skills development (geodata analysis and GIS) and ‘cultural agility’ (the ability to understand and work across cultures and environments) are emphasised strongly.

By the final year (fourth year of study), you are ready to apply your expertise to understand complex geographical problems through original research and to understand the potential external impacts of your work. You will engage in critical thinking and more complex data analysis, building on your studies to date. A final-year project enables you to work alongside our highly respected research staff and showcase your skills to employers.

This combination of solid world knowledge and awareness of impact produces well rounded, confident graduates ready to enter a variety of growing areas of employment in government, science and industry.

Throughout your studies, your future employability is a key priority for us and careers guidance is on hand. Our Geography graduates have the analytical and research skills to secure roles within the Government, the public, private and voluntary sectors, teaching, cartography and surveying, planning, environmental consultancy, nature conservation and sustainability.

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Geography (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) at The University of Winchester

20% Customer service occupations
20% Business and public service associate professionals
20% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
15% Elementary occupations
5% Business and Financial Project Management Professionals
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Administrative occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for geography (non-specific)

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.

We accept a wide range of non-UK qualifications and use UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre) guidelines to confirm their equivalence.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Geography (with Foundation Year), BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Geography (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
EU £16700 year 1
International £16700 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • Foundation
  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2
  • year 3

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Winchester in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Winchester in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #67 
    • #601 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 11 university rankings of The University of Winchester

About The University of Winchester

The University of Winchester is a publicly funded university, formally affiliated with the Anglican Christian faith, but they make it clear that they accept students from all faiths, or even none at all. As an educational institution, they pointedly disassociate themselves from the anti-intellectualism sometimes present in religious sectors, and instead seek to promote critical thought and intellectually robust students. The university’s primary campus, King Alfred, is situated close to Winchester city centre.

List of 141 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Winchester - Course Catalogue

Student composition of The University of Winchester

undergraduates:
6495
postgraduates:
935
Total:
7430
  • Vlog: Day in the life of a Winchester Student
  • Open Days at the University of Winchester
  • Residential Assistants - student support
  • MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology at University of Winchester
  • Vlog: Halls vs Commuting
  • Arrivals Weekend and Welcome Week - What to do

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Daearyddiaeth BSc (Hons) Aberystwyth University - - - £9000 £18830 - Aberystwyth On campus Full-time
Environmental Geography with a Year of Study Abroad BSc (Hons) Cardiff University - - - £9000 £25450 £28200 - Cardiff On campus Full-time
Economics and Geography BSc (Hons) University of St Andrews 91% 0% 0% £9250 £30160 213 St Andrews On campus Full-time
Human Geography and Environment with a placement year BA (Hons) The University of York - - - £9250 £28800 - York On campus Full-time
Film & Visual Culture and Geography BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University - - - £9250 £12500 - Liverpool On campus Full-time
Education Studies - Geography BA (Hons) Durham University - - - £9250 £23800 - Durham On campus Full-time
Human Geography and Environment BA (Hons) The University of York - - - £9250 £28800 - York On campus Full-time
Geography BSc (Hons) Royal Holloway, University of London - - - £9250 £25200 - Egham On campus Full-time
Geography BSc (Hons) York St John University 82% 10% 10% £9250 £14000 111 York On campus Full-time
Geography BA (Hons) University of Brighton - - - £9250 £13842 - Brighton On campus Full-time