The University of Birmingham is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingham, and Mason Science College, making it the first English civic or 'red brick' university to receive its own royal charter. The University have a long and proud history of firsts, at the University of Birmingham; they were the first – and are now one of the largest - civic universities in the UK.

At Birmingham, the institution teach and research across the full breadth of academic disciplines, creating a vibrant community with multi-disciplinary opportunities for research and education. The University is a truly international community consisting of more than thousands of staff, students, and alumni. The student community is not only one of the largest of any UK university, it is highly diverse, with 82 per cent of home undergraduate students from state schools, 32 per cent from a BAME background, and 35 per cent in the first generation of their family to attend university.

First year
The modular structure allows you maximum flexibility in developing your own interests without channeling you into decisive choices too early. In the first year you will study issues crucial to the shape of the world and our place within it such as natural hazards landslides floods global environmental change and cultural landscapes as well as contemporary urban issues using Birmingham as a real-world laboratory. There are also fieldtrips to the likes of Ironbridge and the Lake District.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Contemporary Human Geography
Global Environmental Issues
Environmental Research Frontiers
Research methods field work and data analysis
Tutorials and Study Skills for Geographers
Second year
The second year will provide you with deeper subject knowledge in areas of your choice. You will be introduced to specialist techniques such as computer cartography and the use of databases. You will also learn how to develop a research proposal which may be the starting point for your dissertation in the final year. Training in more advanced fieldwork skills is provided by courses held in European centres.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Statistical Methods and Applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Dissertation Labs and Fieldwork: Theory and Practice - Human Geography and Planning
Research Methods for Human Geography
Research Labs and Fieldwork: Theory and Practice - Human Geography and Planning
Optional modules - Example optional modules may include:

Geomorphology and Palaeoenvironments
Catchment Water and Soil Management
Ecological Systems
Hydroclimatology: Climate and Water
Environmental Assessment and Management
Geological Natural Hazards
Social Geographies
Political Geographies
Cultural Geographies
Development Geographies
Urban Policy Design and Planning Analysis
City Challenges and Policy Responses
You will take a 120 credit Year Abroad based on module assessments taken at an overseas university. The allocation to the university abroad is based on student preference and availability of places. The Year Abroad is weighted at 12.5% of your whole degree.

Year 3

You will take a 120 credit Year Abroad based on module assessments taken at an overseas university. The allocation to the university abroad is based on student preference and availability of places. The Year Abroad is weighted at 12.5% of your whole degree.

Fourth year
In your final year you select from a wide range of modules that provide the more specialised knowledge and skills in the areas of Geography that appeal to you. You also undertake a supervised dissertation on a topic of your own choice.

Year 4

Compulsory modules

Geography Research
Optional modules - Example optional modules may include:

Advanced Fieldwork Research
Catchment Processes and Environmental Change
Conservation: theory into practice
Embodiment and the Carceral
Environmental Research in High Latitudes
Geography in the Classroom
Geographies of the Global South
Professional Placement for Geographers
Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems
Geographies of Childhood and Education
Geographies of Russia in a Regional and Global Context
Micrometerology Weather Climate and Society
Palaeoclimates
Climate change in the Earth System
Resource Governance
Politics of the Environment
Pollution impacts and waste management
Work Migration Alternative Economies

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2023. On rare occasions we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules after that date; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it