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 commonly binding them together.

Programme structure

Year 1

Although many of our first-year students have studied geography at school or college before coming to university, you can start in first year as a novice to the subject. Our first-year course is designed to introduce you to a wide range of concerns and interests within both physical and human geography. The themes covered include a world of resources, an underdeveloped world, a world of changing environments, a shrinking world and a changing biosphere in a changing environment.

You will also study two other subjects of your choice in year 1: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2

Courses in your second year build on the foundations you have laid in first year in human geography and physical geography.

You will explore human and physical processes, examining environmental problems and their possible resolutions through policy, and you will be trained in statistical methods and laboratory analysis using a mixture of fieldwork and our own IT and physical geography laboratories.

You will also study one or two other subjects in year 2: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

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 computerised data analysis, modelling, geographical information systems, interviewing and interpretative methods. Optional courses complement the core courses and allow you to build a programme around your particular topical interests.

The large number of options taught currently include Africa, Celtic geographies, coastal processes and forms, environmental hazards, fluvial processes, landscape and culture, geovisualisation, glacial processes, GIS, geographies of development, political ecologies and social geography. We also have regional research expertise in Africa, South-East Asia and Polar environments.

Special features

Our international links

Career prospects

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

BSc

Highers: AAAA or AAABB (including two science subjects) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAB or AABBB (including two science subjects) at first sitting WILL receive either a conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional offer.

Additional conditional or unconditional offers MAY be made to applicants who achieved between ABBB and AABB (including two science subjects) at their first sitting.

A-levels: AAB including one, preferably two, science subjects

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

MA

Highers: AAAA or AAABB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAB or AABBB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AABB or ABBB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed.

A-levels: AAB.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

MA (SocSci)

Highers: AAAAB (including English or a humanities subject) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAA or AAABB (including English or a humanities subject) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AAAB, AABBB or AABB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed. 

Applicants who receive an offer conditional on second sitting results will be required to study Advanced Highers in relevant subjects as an integral part of their conditional offer. 

A-levels: AAB.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

Advanced entry

If you have exceptional A-level or Advanced Higher grades it's possible to gain exemption from Year 1 study and enter directly into Year 2 or follow a faster route advanced entry programme, both of which allow you to complete your degree in one year less than usual. See: Advanced entry

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

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.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships