University of Sheffield
UCAS Code: F800 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Access to HE Diploma
Award of Access to HE Diploma in a Social Science or Arts and Humanities subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE Maths grade 4/C
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
+ A at A Level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
in a relevant subject
Scottish Higher
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
+ AA at A Level
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Examine patterns and processes in the natural environment with our physical geography degree. You’ll develop practical skills in the field and address global issues such as natural hazards, climate change and rising sea levels.
**Explore the natural environment and learn how to tackle the climate crisis, natural hazards and rising sea levels in the context of the diverse, intricate interactions between the Earth’s systems.**
Studying geography at Sheffield is your opportunity to analyse patterns and processes in the natural environment and learn how to tackle contemporary global issues.
Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, this three-year physical geography course is a blend of field-based learning, technical training and building practical skills.
You'll learn how to use geospatial techniques such as computer programming and satellite observations, and Geographical Information Systems to observe and monitor the Earth.
We use the space around us as our living laboratory: you'll spend time learning in Sheffield and exploring the nearby Peak District National Park during field classes. And the University is happy to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and food to ensure everyone has the chance to take part.
Gain the specialist, practical and transferable skills you’ll need for your future career on this BSc Geography course.
Typically our physical geography graduates progress to careers in research, sustainability, meteorology, environmental consultancy, GIS analysis, business, policy and government.
**This programme has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.**
**Why study this course?**
- We cover field trip costs: To ensure everyone has the chance to carry out fieldwork, all costs for the core residential field classes are met by the school. This includes the costs of travel, accommodation and food during your residential stay.
- Fully accredited: Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), the course gives a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills – preparing you to address the needs of the world beyond higher education.
- Top 10 in the UK for student voice: Our geography courses rank in the top 10 for student voice in the UK according to the National Student Survey 2024.
- Student life: Get involved in GeogSoc and become part of one of the biggest societies at the University of Sheffield. Members enjoy socials, spending time in the Peak District, career and academic support, volunteering, sports and more.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
University of Sheffield
School of Geography and Planning
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Physical geography
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Physical geographical sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Physical geographical sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£21k
£26k
£33k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Course location and department:
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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