Physical Geography (Study Abroad)

MSci Hons

  • UCAS code 4R64
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 8

    8th for Geography

    The Guardian University Guide (2024)

  • 12

    12th for Geography and Environmental Science

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2024)

  • Joint 96th for Environmental Science in the QS University World Rankings by Subject 2024

Discover the natural environment in our exciting Study Abroad programme. With a strong emphasis on fieldwork, you’ll gain a wealth of knowledge and skills from our world-renowned lecturers.

Physical geography addresses the major components that make up the Earth system, such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere. Our Physical Geography degree has a strong emphasis on practical work. You will shape your degree from an extensive range of modules taught within a unique natural landscape.

Lancaster proves to be an exceptional location for studying physical geography. You will be able to explore some of the UK’s most unique areas of geographic interest and you will gain a wealth of experience with field trips to places such as the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbrian coast and Lake District. Our programme also allows you to explore international locations through field trips and your year abroad.

While studying at Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), you will have access to new teaching and research labs, computer systems and software and even our very own weather monitoring station. You will work in comfortable class sizes, giving you the opportunity to get to know your lecturers personally and benefit from their expert knowledge and helpful one-to-one advice.

First-year modules equip you with a well-rounded introduction to some of the key themes of physical geography. In addition to the Physical Geography modules, you will be given the opportunity to take two other subjects. LEC provides a range of subjects cognate to physical geography, including human geography, environmental science ecology and conservation. Subjects from outside LEC can also be taken.

In your second year, as well as taking core modules covering vital skills and knowledge, you will be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules, covering topics such as glacial and fluvial landscape processes and coastal processes.

There you will have the opportunity to learn about physical geography in a different climate and landscape context from that which we experience in the UK. You will also gain experience of living and studying in a different society and culture.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and complete your studies at Lancaster.

Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.

On return to Lancaster after your year abroad, in your fourth year, you will study at the Master’s degree level. This will provide you with an advanced level qualification, which will give you a competitive edge in the graduate jobs market by equipping you with advanced knowledge and skills. As part of this, you will carry out a dissertation project, guided by an academic adviser, which offers a chance to perform original geographical research on a topic of your choice

Assessment

We offer flexible programmes with a strong emphasis on practical learning. You will engage in a wide range of fieldwork and lab-based modules that span the breadth of geographical topics and infuse content from across the physical sciences. Your work will be regularly assessed by a combination of classroom and lab-based assignments, in addition to written examinations and project reports.

Careers

A degree in Physical Geography will help you to understand the way our natural environment works and changes, and will stand you in excellent stead for embarking on careers tackling some of the biggest contemporary issues, such as climate change and flood risk management. Graduates from our Physical Geography courses have gone on to many exciting careers, from Environmental and Land Consultants, to Data Analysts and Flood Risk Specialists. Physical Geographers are also well placed to secure roles and opportunities in sectors that might not be obvious such as marketing and sales, teaching, travel and tourism, and commercial business. This is down to your transferable skills in communication, software competencies, project management and data analysis. Graduates from our courses are also well-paid, with the median starting salary of graduates from Lancaster Environment Centre being £24,347 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022).

Here are just some of the roles that our BSc and MSci Physical Geography students have progressed into upon graduating:

  • Research Assistant – Western Sydney University
  • Data Maintenance Team Leader – Yorkshire Water
  • Environment and Energy Lead – Avanti West Coast
  • Environmental Safety Engineer – EDF Energy
  • Case Worker – Office of Cat Smith MP
  • Assistant Land Consultant – Mott MacDonald
  • Low Carbon Analyst and Consultant – Gemserv
  • Project Delivery Fast Streamer – UK Government
  • Graduate Catchment Scientist – Mott MacDonald
  • Geography Teacher - Bedfordshire County Council

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

Required Subjects A level Geography is recommended, or alternatively one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Physics.

GCSE Mathematics grade C or 4, English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including Geography or alternative cognate subject at HL grade 6

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in a related subject but may additionally require a supporting A level in Geography or alternative cognate subject at grade B. Please contact the Admissions Team for further advice.

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £29,820

Please note

Course fees for undergraduate home students are currently under review for 2025 entry, following the recent UK Government announcement.

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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