Geography
By studying how places, policies and landscapes are being made and reinvented in a changing world, this degree will equip you with a deep understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political processes transforming our human and natural environments.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Open University |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Open University |
Duration
How long it takes
Part time – 6 years
Full time – 3 years
Time limit – 16 years
Study method: Distance learning.
How much time do I need?
• Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
• This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some skills that you'll need to succeed. If you're not quite ready for OU study we can guide you to resources that prepare you, many of which are free.
Careers / Further progression
Career relevance
Geographers are highly employable social scientists. They go on to a wide range of destinations after graduation, including:
• environmental consultants
• data analysis and visualisation using geographical techniques
• transport planners
• commercial analysts
• financial services
• international development
• field centre instructors
• teachers
In addition, nearly one in five geography graduates choose to pursue postgraduate study, including specialist pathways in education, GIS or other fields. Dr Catherine Souch, Head of Research and Higher Education at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), noted: “These statistics illustrate that the skills, knowledge and understanding gained during a Geography degree are held in high regard across all sectors."
Other careers
The broad range of skills developed through an interdisciplinary Geography degree opens up many quality graduate-level jobs across sectors including banking, finance, IT, media, and the public sector.
Other careers identified by ‘Prospects' includes commercial surveyor, town planner, logistics manager and market researcher.
Exploring your options: see 'Course Web Page' link below for further information.
Further information
Register for this course.
Start dates
• October 2024: Registration closes 05/09/2024
• February 2025: Registration closes 09/01/2025
Credit transfer: apply by 08/08/2024
BA (Honours) Geography
Geographical thinking is now fundamental to how we understand and might respond to the most pressing issues of the twenty-first century such as climate change, social inequality, migration and urbanisation. By studying how places, policies and landscapes are being made and reinvented in a changing world, this degree will equip you with a deep understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political processes transforming our human and natural environments. Developing your geographical imagination through innovative virtual fieldwork, you'll gain the knowledge, concepts and transferable skills to investigate, analyse and communicate how geography matters in our everyday lives as you work towards an independent research project to complete your degree.
Key features of the course
• Develop an advanced understanding of the dynamic relationships between human and natural environments in a changing world.
• Undertake innovative virtual fieldwork to open up new perspectives on how the world is made and the possibilities for how it could be remade differently.
• Learn to generate, analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative geographical information to make connections across local and global challenges.
• Gain vital transferable skills to undertake independent research and communicate effectively with a range of different audiences.
We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Geography (W81) that is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of this degree.
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
• In Stage 1 you’ll study with two interdisciplinary modules – one that focuses on environmental issues and one that spans the social sciences.
• Next, in Stage 2, you'll explore the relationship between environmental and social issues in more depth and the changing geographies of the United Kingdom.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll investigate practical and policy responses to environmental change and develop your independent research skills.
See 'Course Web Page' link below for more information on modules.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
• Knowledge and understanding.
• Cognitive skills.
• Practical and professional skills.
• Key skills.
The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Tel: +353 1 678 5399
Our advisers are available to take your call Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:00, excluding public holidays.