Earth Surface Processes
Geography
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Full-time
Part-time
With placement
Three year
Six year
Four year
September 2022
In a nutshell
Mitigating the effects of climate change is vital to the survival of the human and natural world. With our BSc Geography degree, you can build an understanding of the processes that shape the natural environment and how they affect our planet - delivered in a dynamic and engaging way.
Accredited, engaging learning
Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, our course is designed to immerse you in physical geography. Across a range of carefully-designed modules packed with real-world relevance, you will explore the ecological impact of changes in our natural world. Led by research-active practitioners, you'll learn about climate change and its effect on people and places. You'll explore glaciers and global water resources. You'll examine fluvial processes, river restoration and management strategies.
Out in the field
Fieldwork is at the heart of your learning. We've aligned trips with specialist modules, so you develop applied skills and gain practical experiences that reinforce your knowledge. Typical destinations include the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Sheffield and Liverpool. You'll also experience residential field courses across the UK and other international locations - a recent trip took us to Scandinavia. You can also include a placement to boost your real-world experience.
Career-focused approach
With a focus on your future career, we'll nurture you to critically evaluate policy and research, and be confident with computer-based mapping and modelling using Geographical Information Systems and Science (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. You'll also experience small group teaching and support from our friendly, accessible academic team, who will include you in exciting environmental research projects at Salford.
In the National Student Survey 2021 our BSc (Hons) Geography course scored 90% for overall satisfaction, and 100% of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things(University of Salford analysis of unpublished NSS 2021 data).
Learn more about studying geography, explore course modules, tour our Peel Park campus and speak to the course team, by attending our next Open Day
You will:
- Learn about climate change, glaciers, fluvial processes and river restoration and how they impact on people and the environment
- Gain real-world, hands-on experience as you participate in fieldwork trips
- Build a strong skillset as you benefit from a small group teaching approach
options available
students accepted
Course accreditations

This is for you if...
You're passionate about the world around you and want a degree with fieldwork
You're swayed towards the more physical and scientific aspects of geography
You want to develop practical and technical skills opportunity and experience a broad range of field trips
All about the course
Course delivery
For three years of study - or four, if you choose to include an industry placement, you will develop a comprehensive range of geography-focused knowledge and skills.
- In year one, you will build knowledge across the breadth of the subject. Core modules focus on sustainability, natural resources, earth processes and the impact of people on places. You will also experience field and laboratory work.
- As you progress into year two, you will enhance your research skills and expand your knowledge in areas such as geographical information systems. The year includes fieldwork and our optional real-world focused consultancy project.
- In your final year, you will choose four modules in areas that you'd like to build specialised knowledge, and also undertake a research project based on a subject topic of your choice.
Learning experience
Fieldwork is a key element of our course, and trips are aligned with the specialist modules to develop applied skills and gain practical experience. Residential field trips typically take place in the UK and the European Alps. Day trip destinations often include the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and cities such as Sheffield and Liverpool.
Small group teaching is another key course benefit, and there are strong links between course content and the University's research projects. Study and IT skills are embedded throughout the course, with a focus on managing field data and using Geographical Information Systems and Science (GIS) for environmental mapping and modelling.
You can also study modules that enable you to collaborate with industry:
- The Consultancy Project is your chance to work exclusively with real world organisations to solve real world problems
- The GIS module will see you work with organisations involved in providing digital mapping
- The River Restoration and Management module provides you with an opportunity to work with a range of external agencies and consultancies to explore real world projects
Industry Placement
On this course, you will have the option to take an industrial placement year between years two and three. Although you will be responsible for securing your placement, a tutor will support you, monitor your progress and assess your final placement report.
An introduction to the physical processes operating across the geosphere and biosphere to provide a solid basis to understand their influence on the landscape and ecosystems. The module looks at the inter-relationships between both environmental and ecological processes with a focus on the impact on human activity. Case studies explore key concepts such as climate change, geohazards and biodiversity.
Environmental Resources
Environmental resources include food, energy and water. Spatial and temporal variation in the availability of these resources is arguably the most important issue for society in the twenty first century. This module introduces energy, water, minerals, and food resources as fundamental topics in environmental resources management and examines current problems related to climate change, food security, water availability and pollution. You will explore these themes through a combination of case study work, site visits, and field and laboratory work.
People, Place and Space
This module examines the role of people in shaping the human environment and focuses on key concepts such as place, power, scale and networks. You will learn about how the shape and form of cities is influenced by social and political issues, and how new technologies are changing the nature of human interactions in cities, states and across the world.
Sustainability and Environment
You will examine sustainability at local, national and global scales and explore a range of case studies. Sustainability is a concept that cuts across disciplines and provides a framework for managing environmental issues. Project work will allow you apply your knowledge of the principles of sustainable development to assess and classify real-world problems and suggest solutions.
Academic Tutorial
The module develops your academic skills and helps you develop your personal and professional skills for study and for work. You will work on a range of geographical/environmental management problems linked to the core first year modules. Academic Tutorials module comprise lecture\workshop sessions and a weekly one hour tutorial with a member of academic staff in groups of between six and eight. The tutorials involve discussion, debate, and problem-solving, and provide you with a regular forum for monitoring your progress through your first year.
Applied Skills and Field Course
The Applied skills and fieldwork module provides lectures and associated practical activities (in trimester 1) to identify and source data, describe, and utilise environmental statistics to develop writing and analytical skills associated with spatial and temporal variations in real world data.
In Trimester 2 lectures investigate the role of qualitative research methods and build background detail before the residential field course takes place. Post field course sessions provide opportunities for feedback, questions and guidance before the final assessment. This module introduces water, glaciers, climate change and a mixed methods approach to both desk and field based activities. You will explore these themes through a combination of lectures, practical computer lab sessions and field work.
Geographical Information Systems and Science
This module introduces you to the theory and practical implementation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to solve environmental and geographical problems. The module will explore the principles relating to how we represent the world inside a computer, before looking at the analytical methods that can be applied to solve spatial problems. You will learn how to be a critical user and how to design and implement solutions using industry standard GIS software. Part of the module is delivered in conjunction with industry partners.
Research in Action
This module equips you with the range of research skills relevant for further study and the workplace and prepares you for your Dissertation in final year. You will learn about the research process, the nature of scientific writing, research design, risk assessment and ethical considerations, and how to write a research proposal. You will gain experience of international fieldwork in an environment relevant to thematic areas being studied. The work is supported by six, small-group tutorials with a member of academic staff.
Environmental Protection
This module develops an understanding of planning and regulatory frameworks and their role in achieving environmental sustainability. You will learn through a combination of lectures, workshops, field and laboratory work. The learning will draw on case studies from the fields of planning, contaminated land, and noise regulation to enable you to explore the relationships between regulatory frameworks, environmental standards, and sustainable development decision-making. Key agencies, such as ARUP, Jacobs and others, will also play a role in delivery, providing students with a flavour of employment opportunities in the sector.
Choose one option from the following:
Economic Geography
In this module you will examine the connections between the global economy, and society and environment, in the developed and developing worlds. The scale of study is from local to global and the work involves coursework based on a 'dragon's den' activity where you will work on a project in a group, and the pitch and report your findings to a panel of experts.
Monitoring Environmental Change
Monitoring Environmental Change explores the concepts and provides the practical experience of contemporary techniques for environmental monitoring of human impacts in a range of environments. The module provides necessary skills and techniques to undertake field work in selected environments, generate data and explore its analysis and interpretation.
University Wide Language
Courses are available in: Arabic, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
And one option from:
New
Educational Principles and Practice in STEM
The module will provide you with an introduction to teaching and learning at key stage 4 (level 2 GCSE qualifications) through the application of core educational concepts. You will design and deliver an educational activity for a laboratory, workshop or through an online interactive system. The module will provide a taster for students considering teaching as a career.
Consultancy Project (BSc)
This innovative module supports the development of personal and professional skills. You will carry out a group-based project for an external client and learn about teamwork, project planning and time management. You will work with an academic advisor to write a project plan, allocate tasks to the team, carry out an investigation, and report the results to a client.
Mitigating Climate Change
You will develop a detailed understanding of the scientific principles underlying how changing climate has an effect on the natural world, urban environments and society. Through this knowledge you will be able to appreciate the implications of climate change on biodiversity, ecosystems and society, and identify what adaptions can be made to mitigate climate change.
Sustainable Cities
Overall, Sustainable Cities is a broad module covering a wide variety of topics, allowing you to focus on elements relevant to your specific field of study. This module will engage with a host of ideas and concepts, from urban agriculture, which involves farming in cities, to methods for greening cities and the role of key actors in managing these spaces. Semester two focuses on the rise of megacities, with a specific focus on the social and environmental issues present in such complex environments; it builds on the themes from semester one and enables you to focus on a topic which is of interest to you.
Dissertation (40 credits)
You will undertake independent research guided by the literature relevant to your chosen field of study, to deploy techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline. Provided by the practical skills you will be supported by an academic supervisor to design and execute a dissertation project with an understanding of the roles of ethics and risk assessment.
Choose one option from the following:
Development and Global Challenges
In the first part of the module, we will critically engage with the evolution of development theories and approaches, and their relationship with wider global phenomena such as colonialism and globalization. In the second part, we will understand the concept of Sustainable Development and investigate a range of global challenges such as food security, poverty, inequality, migration, energy security and climate change. The module will draw upon a range of diverse case studies from the global south and the global north and will allow students to focus more in depth in the study of one of the indicated global challenges.
Environmental Remote Sensing
This module will explore the principles and applications of remotely sensed data with an emphasis on terrestrial applications and optical remote sensing systems. You will learn about the use of satellite and aircraft sensor data to solve environmental problems. You will carry out a real-world, group-based, problem-driven project for a client using remotely sensed imagery.
Modelling Environmental Systems
This module will give you an introduction in the role and implementation of models to solve environmental problems. Environmental modelling is an important tool across policy and decision making in fields such as conservation, wildlife management, biodiversity and climate change. The module consists of a combination of lectures and computer practicals where you will get hands on experience of different types of models and how they are used to inform environmental decision making. The module is focused on the use of models rather than on mathematical or technical aspects of model development, and so will benefit anyone interested in the rapidly increasing role of models in environmental policy.
University Wide Language
Courses are available in: Arabic, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
Plus one option from the following:
Global Rivers in a Changing Climate
This module will explore in detail the concepts and theories that underpin fluvial and glacial systems including hill slope processes, fluvial network development and glacial systems. You will explore the stability and characteristics of fluvial systems in UK-based fieldwork, and undertake detailed site and desk-based methodological approaches to build your understanding of natural dynamic systems and managed river environments.
Environment and Wellbeing
This module explores the relationships between human health and environment and the epidemiology and geographical distribution of disease. You will assess the availability and accessibility of health services and their influence on well-being in communities and explore the principles and techniques for health promotion. The module is set in the context of the impacts that environmental factors (including socio-economic factors) have on health and wellbeing.
University Wide Language
Courses are available in: Arabic, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our degree courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers and industry leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to become unstoppable in your career.
Facilities
You will experience a modern learning environment, enriched with accessible lecture theatres and AV-equipped classrooms, computing suites and multimedia libraries, with access to industry journals, databases, and simulation software.
As a geography student, you will have access to our state-of-the-art, integrated teaching laboratory known as the Bodmer Lab. The Bodmer Lab is a specialist, purpose-built facility and ensures our students benefit from the latest technologies to support their learning and remain on the cutting edge of innovation and discovery.
Industry partnerships
We are heavily-invested in research and industry collaboration focused on enhancing sustainability and tackling climate change. An example of this is our Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Living Lab.
The Lab is part of the ground-breaking IGNITION project - a £4 million EU-funded initiative that brings together 12 organisations in the Greater Manchester area.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
We've designed the course so you can develop a range of technical and transferable skills and make you highly-employable. In-demand skills for the contemporary geographer include report writing, presentation and communication, data interpretation, software and I.T proficiency, collaboration and project management.
There is growing demand for professionals with environment-based skills. A wide range of organisations need skilled professional to help them to comply with legislation and conform to standards. Many environment-focused not-for-profit organisations are also increasing the range of roles to help tackle the impact of climate change.
Geography graduates typically secure roles with environmental consultancies, utility companies, and not-for profit organisations. Global interest in the natural world often takes many overseas. Some graduates share their knowledge through education and teaching roles. A growing number are also choosing postgraduate studies in fields such as sustainability to enhance their knowledge.
FURTHER STUDY
You might find you want to learn more about the environment through further study. Building on our subject expertise, we offer a range of focused postgraduate courses where you can gain specialist knowledge. Salford graduates and alumni also receive a generous fees discount.
MSc Environmental Assessment and Management
MSc Health and Global Environment
MSc Safety, Health and Environment
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
We welcome those coming from school or college, with or without an A level in geography but with interests in geography and a passion for fieldwork. We also welcome those returning to education, either via Access qualifications or by taking the foundation year route.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.
GCSE
English language and mathematics at grade C or 4 or above. Equivalents are accepted.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below
UCAS tariff points
104 - 112 UCAS points - Geography preferred but not essential.
A level
104 - 112 UCAS points - Geography preferred but not essential.
BTEC National Diploma
DMM - Geography preferred but not essential.
BTEC Higher National Diploma
Possible entry to year three
Foundation Degree
Possible entry to year three
Access to HE
104 - 112 UCAS points from QAA approved Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Highers
104 - 112 UCAS points from Higher Level. Geography preferred but not essential.
Irish Leaving Certificate
104 - 112 UCAS points from Higher Level. Geography preferred but not essential.
European Baccalaureate
Pass in Diploma of at least 60% including at least one science subject
International Baccalaureate
30 points. Geography preferred but not essential.
International Students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2022/23 | £9,250per year |
Full-time international | 2022/23 | £15,900per year |
Part-time | 2022/23 | Your annual fee will be calculated pro rata to the full-time fee according to the number of credits you are studying |
Full-time home | 2023/24 | £9,250per year |
Full-time international | 2023/24 | £16380per year |
Part-time | 2023/24 | Your annual fee will be calculated pro rata to the full-time fee according to the number of credits you are studying |
Additional costs
All field trips are funded by the school but you may need to consider additional costs such as food and spending money.
International field trips that are part of core modules are also funded by the school but you will need to pay towards international field trips that are part of optional modules (although these are subsidised by the school) and you will be made aware of these costs before selecting the module.
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
International Student Scholarships
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. We offer a range of scholarships worth between £3,000-£5,000.
Learn more about our latest international scholarships.