Geography BA (Hons)

Key information

Duration:
3 years full time
Typical A-level offer:
ABB
View full entry requirements
UCAS code:
L700
Start date:
September 2025

Geography is all about understanding the world around you and how natural landscapes interact with human activities. By studying this course, you’ll learn how to help solve real-world challenges like climate change, deforestation, natural disasters, and urban growth.

As a student, you’ll join the Department of Geography in our School of Global Studies, home to leading academics who are shaping policy. Whether you are studying migration and development, conflict, inequality, urban development or climate change adaptation, we’ll guide you through as you develop your own set of interests and expertise.

By studying at Sussex, you will:

  • develop your understanding of the global changes taking place in the world
  • connect with experts who specialise in research-informed teaching
  • gain the expertise to analyse and map data, understand patterns and make informed choices.

You’ll also have a choice of excellent local and global field-trip destinations, giving you the opportunity to take your learning out into the field. Recent destinations have included the Mojave Desert, Los Angeles, China, Corsica and Greece. Plus our setting – within the South Downs National Park – means you’ll have the opportunity to take your learning out into the field on your doorstep.

Our student-led, prize-winning GeogSoc society, can help you settle into student life. They organise social events, trips abroad, talks from guest speakers as well as providing peer support.

You’ll graduate with practical skills including research, numerical, analytical and resource-management. This will enable you to pursue careers in fields like environmental research, international relations and development or policymaking.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

BSc or BA?

  • BA: explores human geography and the social sciences.
  • BSc: looks at geography from an environmental and natural sciences perspective.

Whichever you choose, you’ll have the flexibility to combine human and physical geography, or focus more on one over the other.

Coming to Sussex has broadened and enriched my understanding of geographical knowledge and has equipped me with the tools to address real-world challenges.” Zaha Zahir
Geography BA

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Entry requirements

A-level

Typical offer

ABB

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You will also need GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics, with at least grade 4 (or grade C).

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Extended Project Qualification

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.  We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer

Overall result of at least 77%.

Additional requirements

You must have a good level of Mathematics.

 

Other international qualifications

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about IELTS

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

 

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

English language qualifications

Country exceptions

Admissions information for applicants

Transfers into Year 2

Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Don’t meet our entry requirements?

If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:

If you don't have the required language skills for this course you could consider the International Study Centre. The ISC offers a range of foundation courses in combination with English language teaching.

Modules

This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.

Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course

At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.

As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in three electives – two in Year 1 and one in Year 2 – helps enrich your learning experience.

Discover our electives

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

Field trips

Get involved in fieldwork from the start of your course. You develop research, analytical and team-working skills in regions where our academics actively conduct research. 

In Year 2, you can pick from an exciting range of locations: recent destinations include Los Angeles, China, Greece and Corsica. There is also a UK-based field trip.

Find out more about Geography field trips at Sussex

Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course

At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.

As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in three electives – two in Year 1 and one in Year 2 – helps enrich your learning experience.

Discover our electives

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Study abroad (optional)

Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student

Beautiful scenery, welcoming people, and unforgettable experiences, from the Barrier Reef to the Snowy Mountains. I’m so grateful for the opportunity!”James Johnson
Geography and International Development BA
Studied abroad in Australia 

Placement (optional)

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.

Find out more about placements and internships

Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

I have particularly enjoyed the supportive and friendly approach from all the staff at Sussex, which in fact seems embedded in the structure of the place. What’s more is this support has helped me exceed my own expectations of what I can achieve.” Ellie Hickey
Geography BA
TEF 2023 silver

Silver

The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)

Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive

Our staff

I advise international policy organisations, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.”Professor David Ockwell
Professor of Geography 

Fees

Home students:
£9,535 per year
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
£9,535 per year
International students:
£26,250 per year
Study abroad:
Find out about grants and funding, tuition fees and insurance costs for studying abroad
Placement:
Find out about tuition fees for placements

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our Tuition fees page.

Additional costs

Note about additional costs

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.

Field classes

On this course, all students go on assessed field classes. You may opt for a 30-credit overseas field-class in the second year of this course. Locations change every year but recent destinations have included the USA, China and Greece. Students pay for their airfares, while transfers, meals and accommodation are partly subsidised. Prices vary but the total cost to students usually ranges from £500 to £1,500. An initial deposit of £150 is required by semester 2 of year 1 for all overseas trips.

Alternatively, you can attend a 15-credit Southeast England field-class, which is subsidised by the University and free for students.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.

Careers

On our Geography BA, you develop research, numerical, analytical and resource-management skills. This means you can go on to wide range of careers in the public, private and third sectors, including:

  • civil service and government
  • international development and environmental conservation
  • teaching and education.

Throughout your degree, you will receive support from your department and the university careers and employability centre, and can attend specialist careers events and workshops.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates have gone on to jobs such as:

  • policy and campaign manager, Wildlife and Countryside Link

  • emergency food security adviser, Oxfam

  • planning adviser, Environment Agency

  • senior finance policy manager, Ofgem.

(Department of Geography careers database)

Working while you study

Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

Throughout my course, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a range of different areas of Geography. I’ve learnt some areas just aren’t for me but have been able to focus my attention instead on modules that I excel in and enjoy, which has been very helpful in figuring out what careers paths I may be best suited for.Issy Sidebottom
Geography BA

Design your future at Sussex

Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.

As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:

  • our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
  • one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
  • entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.

Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you

National Enterprise Educator Awards logo

Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services logo

Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024

Rate My Placement Awards - Celebrating the Best Student Employers and Universities for Work Experience

Top 50
Best Universities for Work Experience in the UK
2025 RateMyPlacement Awards

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