Geography (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Are you inspired by understanding the world around you? Would you like the opportunity to gain industry experience as you learn?

Join our 5-year BSc (Hons) Geography (with a year in industry) and discover how, at both local and global levels, many of the main challenges facing the world in the 21st century are related to geography. Studying an exciting mix of physical, environmental and human geography, this course will equip you with the wide range of knowledge and skills needed for the modern workplace. This course also allows you to spend a year working in industry to gain invaluable skills and improve your CV, giving you greater career potential upon graduating from university.

You won’t find a better classroom in which to study than the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. With outstanding locations such as the newly inscribed Flow Country World Heritage Site (the first peatland World Heritage Site), Cairngorms National Park, and many more, we have, undeniably, one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’, all set in the spectacular natural habitat of the Scottish Highlands.

Field trips are a valuable and memorable part of studying geography. This course includes several day trips in the local area, as well as residential field trips in Scotland* and an international fieldtrip in Iceland*. 

You may also be interested in our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (with a year in industry or our BSc (Hons) Geography.

*you will be required to pay a contribution towards the costs of these trips. Further information is available upon request.

Special features

• Located in one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’ between the Cairngorms National Park and Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage site
• Join a course which has achieved 100% overall satisfaction ratings in the National Student Survey
• Take the opportunity to gain invaluable experience by spending a year working in industry
• Field trips locally, in the Scottish Highlands, and in Iceland
• Mix of online-timetabled learning and face-to-face teaching, with small group study on campus and in the field
• Online learning materials available 24/7 via laptops, tablets or mobiles
• Have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience by spending a year working in industry

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 3 Highers at grade BCC or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• These must include two science subjects*
• PLUS National 5, GCSE, Standard Grade Credit or Intermediate 2 at grade C or above, or equivalent, in a science subject
• Alternatively, SCQF Level 6 PLUS SCQF Level 5 Literacy and Numeracy PLUS an additional Scottish Higher at Grade C or above and National 5 at Grade C or above (or equivalent)
• International students whose first language is not English must also meet relevant language competency standards
• Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
• Advance entry to years two/three may be possible with a relevant HNC/D or with recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
   

*Recommended science subjects (Highers /A levels):

• Applications of Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Cruinn-eolas
• Computing science
• Design and Manufacture
• Engineering Science
• Environmental Science
• Geography
• Geology
• Gniomhachas Matamataigs
• Human Biology
• Matamataig
• Mathematics
• Physics

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Introduction to physical geography
• GIS for scientists
• Tree and forest science
• Introduction to environmental science

You will also study 2 of the following optional modules:

• Climate, land and people*
• Exploring economics in a changing world*
• Fundamental chemistry
• Introduction to global environmental issues*
• Introduction to human geography*
• Introduction to land reform and community land ownership*
• Overview of energy use*
• Urban forest practice

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Atmosphere, weather and climate
• Earth surface processes
• Employability skills for geographers
• GIS for scientists**
• Natural capital and ecosystem services

You will also study 2 of the following optional modules:

• Aquatic environments
• Community energy*
• Environmental conservation
• Exploring the urban and rural places, people and policies
• Sustainable development approaches in an international context (field trip)
• Woodland ecology and conservation

Year 3 - BSc

You will study the following core modules:

• Assessment of the environmental impact of development
• Climate science
• Remote sensing principles and practice
• Sustainable land management

You will also study 2 of the following optional modules:

• Community-based economic development*
• Environmental monitoring
• Peatland ecology
• Sustainable tourism and the environment*

Year 4 - Year in industry

You may have the opportunity to undertake an optional year-long work placement between your BSc and BSc (Hons) years. We will support you to find a suitable placement, however if a placement is not found, you will have the opportunity to transfer to the standard four year course.

Year 5 - BSc (Hons)

You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation
• Glaciation 
• Natural hazards

You will also study 2 of the following optional modules:

• Agroecology - regenerative food systems*
• Animal behaviour
• Applied marine ecology
• Conservation of biodiversity*
• Environmental science in practice
• Freshwater conservation science
• Managing biodiversity in upland woodlands

*Not available to international students requiring a visa to study in the UK
**Core for direct entrant in year 2 only

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes:

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Scottish students can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to be assessed for eligibility to have their tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Honours year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

This course is not currently available for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

This course includes several field trips, including residentials and an optional international field trip module to Iceland. You will be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the residentials and international trips.  The module option for Iceland trip may also require a visa; it will be your responsibility to research and secure your visa to travel to Iceland if necessary.