Metadata
Title
Undergraduate study
Category
undergraduate
UUID
b39f408e27c8489e9f26d4460b9cc83b
Source URL
https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/geography/
Parent URL
https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/how-to-apply-for-an-undergraduate-degree/cho...
Crawl Time
2026-03-24T07:16:38+00:00
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Undergraduate study

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/geography/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/how-to-apply-for-an-undergraduate-degree/choosingyourdegree/advanced-entry/

Undergraduate

Geography BSc/MA/MA(SocSci)

Geography is the study of the surface of the Earth as the site of human living and working. It considers the variability in physical and human landscapes, along with the interrelationships binding them together. It is a dynamic, relevant and ever-changing subject at the heart of many local and global current issues, ranging widely from river/coastal management and conservation to migration, development and urban geography.

Our Honours programme is highly flexible and is a combination of core and optional courses. This allows you to tailor your option choices towards a wide range of potential careers.

Register your interest for more information

Year of entry 2026 2027 2028

Country of residence

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Apply via UCAS

Programme structure

Geography can be studied as one of three different degrees in Arts, Science or Social Sciences. The Geography component of each degree is identical; the difference is additional subjects that can be taken in years 1 and 2.

Year 1

You will explore an equal balance of physical and human geography themes including a world of resources, a world of development, a world of changing environments, a shrinking world, a world of conflict and a world of interactions.

Year 2

You will explore human and physical processes, examining environmental problems and their possible resolutions. You will be trained in statistical methods, geographic information systems (GIS) and laboratory analysis using a mixture of fieldwork and our own IT and physical geography laboratories.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2, to pursue your interests and ensure maximum flexibility; see Flexible degrees.

Years 3 and 4

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will study both core and optional courses.

Core courses are related to advanced training methods such as data management, modelling, GIS, interviewing & interpretative methods and dissertation training. Core courses also support the development and articulation of graduate attributes and communication strategies for beyond the academy.

A wide range of optional courses complement the core courses and allow you to build a programme around your particular interests. Some Environmental Geoscience optional courses may also be available to Geography students.

Course details

Geography can be studied as one of three different degrees in Arts, Science or Social Sciences. The Geography component of each degree is identical; the difference is additional subjects that can be taken in years 1 and 2.

Arts students taking Geography in their first year should choose their additional courses from other Arts degree programmes.

Year 1

Core courses:

You will explore an equal balance of physical and human geography themes including a world of resources, an underdeveloped world, a world of changing environments, a shrinking world, and a changing biosphere in a changing environment.

Year 2

Core courses:

You will explore human and physical processes, examining environmental problems and their possible resolutions. You will be trained in statistical methods, geographical information systems (GIS) and laboratory analysis using a mixture of fieldwork and our own IT and physical geography laboratories.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2, to pursue your interests and ensure maximum flexibility; see Flexible degrees.

Year 3 and 4

Core courses:

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will study both core and optional courses. Core courses are related to advanced training methods such as data management, modelling, geographical information systems, interviewing and interpretative methods, dissertation training and development of key graduate attributes. A wide range of optional courses complement the core courses and allow you to build a programme around your particular interests. Some Earth Science optional courses may also be available to Geography students.

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Programme alteration or discontinuation\ The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Special Glasgow feature

If you intend to continue to Honours, you will attend a week-long residential field course in year 2 to extend the field, laboratory and statistical skills introduced during the academic year. Our school is very conscious of our carbon footprint and we have made the choice to have this fieldtrip in an area that can be reached by public transport or coaches. When in the field, you will work in groups, collecting data and testing your ability to problem solve and communicate. These skills will be further developed in year 3 in a week-long overseas field class focusing on dissertation-related project work.

You will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities as part of your degree. This will not add any extra time to your studies. See Study abroad.

Entry requirements

for entry in 2026

You should refer to the entry requirements for both subjects and the degree award when applying for a joint honours degree programme. The higher entry requirement (where applicable) and additional requirements must be met for both subjects.

Summary of entry requirements for Geography

SQA Higher entry requirements

Applicants to Geography BSc:

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)

* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.

Applicants to Geography MA:

SQA Higher entry requirements

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)

* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.

Applicants to Geography MA(SocSci):

SQA Higher entry requirements

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)

* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.

A-level standard entry requirements

All applicants

IB standard entry requirements

*Applicants to Geography BSc:*

Applicants to Geography MA:

*Applicants to Geography MA(SocSci):*

Entry requirements for advanced entry to Geography

Applicants who achieve exceptional grades in their Advanced Highers, A-levels or International Baccalaureate may be considered for advanced entry, meaning that an Honours degree can be completed in three years instead of the normal four years, or four years for five-year integrated Masters programmes. Not all joint honours subjects are available for advanced entry and applications to joint honours programmes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Choose point of entry 2nd year on your UCAS application to indicate you wish to be considered for advanced entry.

SQA Higher requirements for advanced entry

A-Level requirements for advanced entry

IB requirements for advanced entry

Advanced entry is not available for Geography BSc.

Admissions guidance

Glasgow International College

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation certificates.

English language

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

English language requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

Pearsons PTE Academic

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

Oxford ELLT

LanguageCert Academic SELT

Password Skills Plus

Trinity College Tests

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

School Qualifications

International School Qualifications

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Alternatives to English Language qualification

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

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Pre-sessional courses

We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact External Relations

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

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Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study

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Career prospects

Recent graduates have been employed as coastal and river engineers, field studies tutors, public engagement officer and hydrographic surveyors. Our students have found opportunities with:

Explore our LinkedIn profile for a flavour of where our most recent graduates work.

Degrees and UCAS codes

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Which degree should I choose for Geography?

Geography is offered as three different types of honours degrees: BSc, MA and MA (Soc). The Geography courses within these degrees are identical but the programme structure includes a selection of other subjects in years 1 and 2, which may vary according to the degree. There may be small differences in entry requirements between the degrees as well. This means that you should choose your degree according to the context in which you plan to study Geography and the subjects that you have studied previously. Here is some guidance.

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

If you have a background in Science you may be particularly interested in the areas of the Geography degree that cover scientific topics, such as the role of data gathering and imaging techniques in studying the environment and how it is changing.\ The first year comprises Geography and two other subjects, which are typically drawn from the sciences: often Earth Science, Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry or Archaeology. This is the most common choice of degree. Combined honours courses are also available such as Geography/Mathematics or Geography/Archaeology.

Master of Arts in Social Science (MA SocSci)

This option is intended for students who have a background in Social Sciences and are particularly interested in the areas of the Geography degree that investigate the economic, social or behavioural aspects of society.\ An obvious subject to take alongside Geography in first year is Sociology and you might be interested in Economics as well. Indeed if you want to take a degree in Economics or Business with Geography, then the only route is via the MA SocSci. Other combined honours courses are also available such as Geography/ Sociology or Geography/Politics.

Master of Arts (MA)

This is a more specialised route with fewer course choice options, and is typically chosen by students with a background in English or Languages, who are particularly interested in the areas of the Geography degree that explore the geographical context of language, literature or philosophy.\ The first year comprises Geography and two Arts courses, such as English or another language and Philosophy. Combined honours courses are also available such as Geography/Spanish or Geography/French.

When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:

BSc (Hons)

Geography: F800 (4 years)

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Apply to F800

Geography/Archaeology: FV84 (4 years)

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Apply to FV84

Geography/Computing Science: FG84 (4 years)

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Apply to FG84

Geography/Mathematics: FG81 (4 years)

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Apply to FG81

MA (Hons)

Geography: L702 (4 years)

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Apply to L702

Geography/Archaeology: LV74 (4 years)

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Apply to LV74

Geography/Celtic Civilisation: LQ75 (4 years)

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Apply to LQ75

Geography/Celtic Studies: QL57 (4 years)

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Apply to QL57

Geography/Classics: LQ78 (4 years)

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Apply to LQ78

Geography/Digital Media & Information Studies: GL57 (4 years)

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Apply to GL57

Geography/French: LR71 (5 years)

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Apply to LR71

Geography/German: LR72 (5 years)

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Apply to LR72

Geography/History: LV71 (4 years)

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Apply to LV71

Geography/History of Art: LVR3 (4 years)

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Apply to LVR3

Geography/Latin: QL67 (4 years)

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Apply to QL67

Geography/Music: LW73 (4 years)

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Apply to LW73

Geography/Philosophy: LV75 (4 years)

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Apply to LV75

Geography/Portuguese: 3T5Y (5 years)

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Apply to 3T5Y

Geography/Scottish History: LVR2 (4 years)

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Apply to LVR2

Geography/Scottish Literature: LQ72 (4 years)

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Apply to LQ72

Geography/Spanish: RL47 (5 years)

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Apply to RL47

Geography/Theatre Studies: LW74 (4 years)

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Apply to LW74

MA(SocSci) (Hons)

Geography: L700 (4 years)

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Apply to L700

Geography/Business & Management: LN72 (4 years)

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Apply to LN72

Geography/Central & East European Studies: RL77 (4 years)

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Apply to RL77

Geography/Economic & Social History: LV73 (4 years)

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Apply to LV73

Geography/Economics: LL17 (4 years)

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Apply to LL17

Geography/Politics: LL72 (4 years)

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Apply to LL72

Geography/Social & Public Policy: LL47 (4 years)

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Apply to LL47

Geography/Sociology: LL37 (4 years)

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Apply to LL37

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.

Field trip costs

These are heavily subsided and students can expect to pay field trip costs of approximately £200 over the duration of a four-year honours degree.

Scholarships

The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.

STEM in Scotland Award

College of Science and Engineering is excited to offer this unique stipend to support international students studying any of the eligible STEM programmes.

University of Glasgow/Glasgow International College University Degree Progressi

The University of Glasgow has a number of University Degree Progression Scholarships available to international students progressing directly from Glasgow International College (GIC) to register on a full-time Undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow in Academic Year 2026/27.

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU)

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow. 

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU) to new incoming EU students starting an undergraduate programme for Academic Session 2026-27. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £5,000 for every year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has a number of World Changers Global Excellence Scholarships available to new International and EU Undergraduate students for 2026 entry.

The scholarship is awarded as an annual tuition fee discount, based on the academic college of your chosen degree:

Scholarships are renewable each year, subject to satisfactory academic progress.

World Changers RUK Excellence Scholarship

The RUK Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree new entrants who have attained academic excellence in one sitting at A Level.

Beaconhouse Schools

The University of Glasgow offer a 15% discount on the first year of tuition fee to students from Beaconhouse Schools and who enrol on an undergraduate programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount does not apply to Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Dentistry programmes.

World Changers RUK Access Bursary

The bursary supports talented students who may not be able to take their place at University for reasons of financial hardship. It is available to new entrant full-time, undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow who are fully registered for the up coming academic session, ordinarily domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and paying full annual tuition fee.

Care Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary

The University of Glasgow is offering five bursaries specifically for Care Experienced and Estranged Students. These bursaries aim to support students who have been in care or are living independently due to family estrangement. Definitions of these terms are provided below, and further details are available here.

Care Experienced\ "Care-experienced" refers to anyone who has ever been in care, regardless of the duration. This includes individuals who have been in the care of a local authority at any stage, whether through residential care, foster care, kinship care, or under a supervision requirement at home. This category also includes those who have been adopted from care.

Estranged\ Estranged students are young people studying independently without family support due to a breakdown in family relationships. These students often have limited or no contact with their families, and any contact that does occur is usually infrequent or strained. Causes of estrangement may include emotional or physical abuse, conflicting family expectations, personality clashes, or differing values.

Each bursary is typically valued at £1,500 per year for each consecutive year of the degree programme.

James McCune Smith Undergraduate Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has up to 30 undergraduate scholarships available for students of African/African-Caribbean backgrounds. The scholarship supports students who could face financial difficulties taking up their place to study at the university. The value of the scholarship is £4,000, paid in instalments for year one of undergraduate study. The scholarship is open to new applicants to the university for 2026 entry. Current students who have previously been in receipt of the award may reapply, however, preference will be given to applicants entering their first year of study.

Undergraduate Talent Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is awarding c.50 undergraduate Talent Scholarships to support students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2026 entry. The value of each scholarship is typically £1,500 p.a. for each year of the degree programme, subject to satisfactory progress. Talent Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University's Colleges.

Dental School students are eligible for a Talent Scholarship in their first year of study only. They are eligible for the NHS Dental Student Support Grant in the following years.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship - CLOSED

The University of Glasgow and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation (CSF) will offer a scholarship to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from socio-economically challenged backgrounds.  Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK and commencing an undergraduate study programme.

The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation wants to fund 100 Black British students through UK universities in the next decade. More information on the Foundation can be found here.

Travel Bursaries

The University of Glasgow is offering travel bursaries to assist with public transport travel costs, to support undergraduate students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2026 entry. The value of the bursary is 50% of your monthly public transport travel costs to get to University, up to a maximum value of £50 per month. Priority is given to new entrants to the Univeristy. Continuing students previously in receipt of the bursary can apply, however, preference will be given to new entrants.

The Scottish Government’s Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel scheme gives free bus travel to young people under 22 years of age. Please note that if you are under 22 years of age and can reasonably travel to Campus by bus, you will not be considered for the travel bursary.

GyanDhan Scholarship

The GyanDhan Scholarship 2026 is a test-based program for students across the globe, reflecting GyanDhan’s commitment to rewarding talent fairly. Open to students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, it supports higher studies in India and abroad, ensuring that ambition isn’t limited by past academic scores.

Sanctuary Scholarships

The University of Glasgow Sanctuary Scholarship has been created to support applicants with Refugee or Asylum Seeker status who are currently living in the UK and hold an offer to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2026/27. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship.

As a University of Sanctuary, we are committed to ensuring that those with the ambition and determination to pursue higher education have the opportunity to do so. This scholarship provides a full tuition fee waiver along with financial support for living costs, helping recipients focus on their studies and thrive both academically and personally.

Through this initiative, we aim to offer meaningful opportunities to talented individuals seeking sanctuary, enabling them to rebuild their futures and become part of our global #TeamUofG community. Full eligibility criteria can be found below.

The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs.

This scholarship is not available to PGdip, PDGE or part time programmes.

Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.

Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award incoming students to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants who are joining us for 2025/26 entry.

The Dima Alhaj Scholarship

The Dima Alhaj Scholarship was set up in 2024 in memory of a University of Glasgow alumna. After graduating, Dima worked in Gaza with the World Health Organization as a patient administrator at the limb reconstruction centre, as part of the trauma and emergency team and was tragically killed in Gaza in November 2023.

The University is offering the Dima Alhaj Scholarship to 1 undergraduate applicant and 1 postgraduate taught applicant joining us in September 2026. Please note that you must have a programme application in progress before applying for this scholarship. If you have not yet started a programme application, please submit this first and then return to complete the scholarship application process.

This scholarship is not available to PhD, PGdip, PDGE or part time programmes.

This scholarship can not be combined with any other University of Glasgow scholarship. In the event you are offered 2 scholarships, the lower value scholarship will be removed from your student account.

Travel Bursary for Forced Migrants

The University of Glasgow is offering travel bursaries to assist with public transport travel costs, to support undergraduate and postgraduate students are currently asylum seekers and who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2026 entry. The value of the bursary is 50% of your monthly public transport travel costs to get to University, up to a maximum value of £50 per month.

Glasgow Highland Society Scholarship

The University of Glasgow is excited to promote this scholarship opportunity on behalf of the Glasgow Highland Society. 

The Glasgow Highland Society is offering multiple grants of up to £500 for new and continuing students of Glasgow university who fit the eligibility requirements of the scholarship

The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

How to apply

Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.

International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciencescan also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.

Application deadlines

We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.

It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.

How to apply for Advanced Entry

Apply for year 2 (Y2) on your UCAS application. If the specific subject is unavailable for Advanced Entry or your application for year 2 entry is unsuccessful, you will be automatically considered for year 1 entry. You do not have to submit a separate UCAS application.

Apply via UCAS

More information about this programme

UK top 20

Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Geography & Environmental Science]

Subject league tables

UK top 20

Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Geography & Environmental Science]

World top 100

QS World University Rankings [Geography]

UK top 20

Complete University Guide [Geography & Environmental Science]

World top 15

ShanghaiRanking's Global [Geography]

World top 100

Times Higher Education World University Rankings [Social Sciences]

Environment & Sustainability

Geographical & Earth Sciences

Undergraduate events