Geography

Experience a comprehensive exploration of the natural and human aspects of our world with the Geography undergraduate degree at King's College London. This interdisciplinary programme offers students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the physical environments, socio-economic processes, and spatial relationships that shape our planet. Throughout the course, students will engage with a wide range of topics including environmental sustainability, urban and regional planning, climate change, geographical information systems (GIS), and human-environment interactions. The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, empowering students with essential skills such as spatial analysis, critical thinking, research methodologies, and data management.

At King's College London, the Geography course is designed to prepare students for diverse careers in areas such as environmental consultancy, urban planning, international development, disaster management, and academia. The programme encourages overseas field trips, internships, and research projects to enhance experiential learning and global outlook. The faculty comprises leading experts who incorporate the latest research findings and industry developments into their teaching. Students will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including GIS laboratories and digital mapping tools, to facilitate hands-on learning. An optional year abroad or placement year offers valuable international experience and professional exposure.

The degree emphasizes active learning, critical inquiry, and the development of transferable skills highly valued by employers. Graduates will be equipped to analyze complex geographical issues, propose sustainable solutions, and communicate findings effectively to diverse audiences. Whether interested in studying the impacts of climate change, understanding urban development, or exploring spatial patterns, students will find this programme at King's College London to be a rigorous and rewarding pathway to a versatile career in geography and related disciplines.

The BA Geography programme is divided into 15 and 30 credit modules and you will take modules worth 120 credits per year over three years. There are no optional modules in the first year, but there is a greater emphasis on optional modules in subsequent years.  In the second year you will choose a thematic pathway for the rest of your degree from Developmental Geography; Society, Environment & Geography; Urban & Cultural Geography; Geocomputation & Spatial Analysis.  In your third year you must conduct your own research for a compulsory dissertation known as the Independent Geographical Study (or IGS). Students are encouraged to carry out their own research throughout the degree. 

Year 1

• The Changing Natural Environment I (15 credits)
• Geographical Foundations: the making of the modern world (15 credits)
• Geographical Foundations II: challenges of the modern world (15 credits)
• Principles of Geographical Inquiry I (30 credits)
• Geography in Action (15 credits)
• Geography Tutorials: Critical Thinking & Techniques (30 credits)

 There will be required and optional field work activities offered to complement and enhance learning. 

• Required Modules
• Optional Modules

Year 2

Second year students are required to take the following 15 credit modules:

• Field Research in Human & Development Geography (15 credits)
• BA Geography Research Tutorials (15 credits)
• Geographical Research Skills (15 credits)

 You will then choose from one of the four following themed pathways as the basis for the rest of your degree:

 Development Geography

• Society, Environment & Geography
• Urban & Cultural Geography
• Geocomputation & Spatial Analysis

 You must then take the 15 credit module(s) associated with the pathway you have selected:

• Development Geography Pathway: Livelihoods & Policy Contexts (15 credits)
• Society, Environment & Geography Pathway: Nature & Culture (15 credits)
• Urban & Cultural Geography Pathway: Space, Society &  Culture (15 credits)
• Geocomputation & Spatial Analysis Pathway: Geocomputation (15 credits) & Spatial Analysis (15 credits)

 *Note: Students opting for the Geo-computation & Spatial Analysis pathway are required to take 2 x 15-credit compulsory thematic modules.

 Optional Modules

 You will also take further modules to attain 120 credits for the year, selecting from a wide range of options that may typically include the following:

 Historical Geographies of Urbanism (15 credits)

• Urban Geography: Exploring the City (15 credits
• Territory, State & Nation (15 credits)
• The Nature of the Environment (15 credits)
• Water & Development (15 credits)

Any of the other pathway modules

You can also take any of the modules from the BSc Geography programme, which may typically include the following:

 Natural Hazards (15 credits)

• Landscapes: Ecology, Biogeography & Management (15 credits)
• Climate Variability, Change & Society (15 credits)
• Environmental Remote Sensing (15 credits)
• Physical Geography: Earth Surface Processes & Landforms (15 credits)
• Global Environmental Issues: Science & Solutions (15 credits)

 Please note: Second year field research modules will typically have a week of intensive teaching on a residential field trip.

 You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for either the second semester of the second year or for the whole year. Partner institutions currently include:

 University of Auckland

• Hong Kong University
• University of Melbourne
• Monash University (includes study options in South Africa and Malaysia)
• National University of Singapore
• University Brunei Darussalam (second semester only)
• University of California
• University of North Carolina
• University of Toronto (full year only)
• University of British Columbia
• University of Washington (Seattle)
• Australian National University (Canberra)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison

Year 3

In your final year, you will be required to select a 15 credit module relating to your chosen pathway. 

You are also required to take the Independent Geographical Study (IGS) 30 credit module as a piece of individual research, which is supported on a one-to-one basis by a supervisor from within the Geography Department.

You must then select an additional 75 credits from a wide range of options, which may include:

 Health, Lifestyles & Cities (15 credits)

• The Right to the City (15 credits)
• Hollywood & the Post-Industrial City (15 credits)
• Geopolitics: Power & Place (15 credits)
• Economy, Society & Politics in 19th Century London (15 credits)
• Political Economy of Hazardscapes (15 credits)
• Global Political Ecology (15 credits)
• Histories & Geographies of Climate Change (15 credits)
• Environmental Risk, Governance & Society (15 credits)
• Economic & Social Change in Southern Africa (15 credits)
• Directed Readings in Geography (15 credits)

 Or any of the modules on the BSc Geography programme, which may typically include the following:

 Global Environmental Change I: Climate Science (15 credits)

• Global Environmental Change II: Earth System Dynamics (15 credits)
• Environmental Remote Sensing II (15 credits)
• Tropical Forests in a Changing Environment (15 credits)
• Desert Environments (15 credits)
• Advanced Issues in Natural & Environmental Hazards (15 credits)

We offer a range of optional modules, which usually reflect the research of current members of our academic team. This is in keeping with King’s reputation as a research university and also ensures that our degree programmes are relevant and up to date. Therefore, not all module options will be available every year and may change, subject to staff availability. New and additional modules may be added.

Up to 30 credits can also be taken from outside the Department subject to approval from the Chair of Teaching.

• The Attestat o Srednam Obrazov is not considered suitable for direct entry to our undergraduate degrees without further study (such as international A-levels, IB, or the first year of a degree with high grades in any compulsory subjects). Please consider our International Foundation Programmes (see below) as a route to our undergraduate degrees.
• Students with the High School certificate should consider applying for our International Foundation Programmes.
• IELTS 
• TOEFL iBT

The Geography program at King's College London offers a range of financing options to support students throughout their studies. Prospective students can explore several avenues for funding, including government loans, scholarships, and bursaries. UK students are eligible for student loans provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC), which cover tuition fees and provide maintenance support. The amount of funding depends on various factors such as residency status and household income. International students are advised to seek alternative funding sources, including scholarships and external bursaries, as government loans are typically not available to them. King's College London offers a variety of scholarships specifically for Geography students, which are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both. These scholarships range from partial fee waivers to full tuition coverage and sometimes include living expenses. Additional financial support can be obtained through external funding bodies, charitable organizations, and government schemes in the student's home country. The university also provides information about part-time work opportunities during studies, which can help students manage their finances effectively. Furthermore, students are encouraged to apply early for funding to maximize their chances of success and to ensure sufficient financial planning. The university’s financial support services assist students in navigating the complexities of funding applications, budgeting, and financial management. For international students, visa regulations might include restrictions on work hours, making internal funding options crucial for financial planning. It is advisable for students to consult the official King's College London website and contact the university’s financial aid office for the most up-to-date and detailed information regarding available financing options for the Geography program. Overall, King's College London is committed to ensuring that capable students are not prevented from studying Geography because of financial constraints, and it provides resources and support systems to help students achieve their academic goals.

More information about the program: The Geography undergraduate degree at King's College London offers students a comprehensive understanding of the physical and human aspects of the Earth's environment. The curriculum combines core topics such as physical geography, environmental science, human geography, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) with opportunities to develop research, analytical, and fieldwork skills. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories and GIS software, enabling practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. The program encourages critical thinking about contemporary issues like climate change, urban development, sustainability, and global environmental challenges. It involves a mix of lectures, seminars, group projects, and independent research. Many modules incorporate field trips to various geographical sites, providing firsthand experience of geographical phenomena and environmental management practices. The course is designed to prepare students for careers in environmental consultancy, urban planning, conservation, research, and academia. Additionally, students are encouraged to undertake placements and work experience to enhance their practical skills and employability. The department emphasizes a global perspective, integrating case studies from around the world to illustrate key geographical processes and issues. The program also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting geography with politics, economics, and social sciences to analyze complex problems. Graduates of the program have gone on to work in international organizations, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector companies. The program is suitable for students passionate about understanding the Earth and its peoples and those wishing to contribute to solving global environmental and societal challenges.