Unravel how Earth's features and natural processes influence our surroundings.
Year of entry: 2025/26
F801
Y50
4 years full-time
It's important to understand the physical environment and its effects on humans.
This understanding will help us to address the world's environmental challenges. During the course you'll explore physical geography. This includes glaciers, rivers, and coastal environments as well as environmental hazards. You'll explore other aspects of geography such as climate change, ecology and sustainability.
Throughout your studies, you'll delve into the relationships between environment and humans. You'll develop academic knowledge and practical skills to tackle real-world sustainability challenges presented in our physical environment.
This course was formerly known as Environmental Geography (with a placement year) (BSc).
Our courses are currently accredited by the Institute of Environmental Sciences.
Our Department has strong links to global policy makers including UNEP and the World Health Organization.
Understand the physical processes at work in our environment. See how they respond to our changing environments. You'll develop the tools to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
For example, you will learn about the impact of humans on the environment. You will learn how climate change is altering landscapes. You will also consider the changes needed to solve complex sustainability problems.
The first year modules give you an introduction to the basics of the course, providing you with a foundation for advanced material in the future.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You will take a range of core modules to develop your knowledge of environmental geography. You can then begin to tailor your degree to your own interests with a choice of option modules.
You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject or an interdisciplinary topic.
Your placement year will start in June or July and will run for nine to twelve months. You'll be paid at a rate typical of the industry hosting the placement.
You'll be guided through the process of finding a placement by a dedicated member of staff. You'll be expected to perform well throughout the application process so that you secure the placement: helping you get practical experience that will be invaluable after graduation.
Placements can be found throughout industry, including environmental consultancy, government agencies, political bodies, construction, conservation and ecological charities (subject to availability).
You specialise further in Year 4 with your independent research project, and a range of core and option modules.
You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £31,100 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Field work is integral to your course and includes both residential and day trips. In year 1 and 2 there are core residential and day field trips. The travel and accommodation costs of these core trips are included in your student fees. Optional field trips are not paid for, and you will be asked to contribute to the cost of these. The destinations of our residential field trips do change to meet the requirements of our students, acknowledge the pressing environmental challenges we face and meet our commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our superb state-of-the-art building contains purpose-built labs, lecture theatres and seminar rooms and features a spectacular living wall.
We are proud to hold an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of the work we do to support gender equality.
Our BSc and MEnv courses are currently accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences, in recognition of the quality of our teaching.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching includes field-based learning, research-led teaching and a more traditional combination of lectures, tutorials, and seminars.
Practical work is a key feature, both in individual projects and in groups.
Field work is integral to your course and includes both residential and day trips. In year 1 and 2 there are core residential and day field trips. In year 3 there is also optional field module.
For the Placement Year, a dedicated member of staff will guide you through the process of finding a placement. You will be assigned a supervisor for your placement and be expected to contribute academic work based on your experience. Placements can be local, national or international.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 4-6 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 1-2 hours per week |
| Workshops | 2-4 hours per week |
| Practicals | 2-4 hours per week |
| Field trips | 1 week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Our bespoke building contains purpose-built labs, lecture theatres and seminar rooms.
You will be based in the Department of Environment and Geography, which is based on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Each module will be assessed either by coursework, closed examination or a combination of both. Coursework can include:
Your degree in physical geography and environment will help you become a numerate graduate with practical, applied skills. You'll also learn to communicate clearly in written reports and during oral presentations. Find out more about careers and employability.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB including Geography or Geology plus a second science (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Life and Health Sciences) |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher including Geography and Science-related units. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A level Geography or Geology. If you are studying for the BTEC National Extended Diploma or a different combination of A levels and BTEC qualifications please contact us at ug-admissions@york.ac.uk for advice. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 including Geography or Geology plus a second science (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Life and Health Sciences) |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall including Geography or Geology plus a second science (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Life and Health Sciences) |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points including Geography or Geology plus a second science (Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations), Physics, Psychology or Life and Health Sciences) at Higher level |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Geography has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - BB in Geography or Geology plus one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology plus Scottish Highers - BB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You should also have GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent.
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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