Geography

About

In first year human geography we introduce the range of our research specialisms and research methods, including fieldwork. Optional modules in the second and third year progressively lead to material that is specialist and at the cutting edge of research. The majority of modules in second and third year focus on human geography and social science topics, with others that cross the human/physical geography interface. In second year, students may take one module from the Geography BSc list.

Students on this programme learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, practical classes, tutorials, fieldwork, group projects, student presentations, and self-directed learning, such as research, reading, and writing. All of these are informed by the interplay between theory and practice: bringing the real world together with the scholarly world. Seminars, tutorials, and practical classes are much smaller groups than lectures, small enough to allow one-on-one interaction with a professor or lecturer. Practicals also allow hands-on experience of the work professional geographers perform. The same is true of fieldwork, which at Durham is subsidized (academic year 2015-16), and consists of engaging in geographical work in the field with members of academic staff. Students can also attend an extensive programme of research-focused seminars where staff and visiting scholars present their cutting edge research.

This emphasis on research-led small-group and practical teaching reflects a conscious choice to enhance the quality of the learning experience rather than the quantity of formal sessions. The degree programme is designed to feature fewer formal sessions and more independent research as students move from their first to their final year. Small-group teaching and one-on-one attention from the personal academic advisor (provided for all students when they enter the programme) are part of the learning experience throughout, but by the final year classroom time gives way, to some extent, to independent research, including a capstone dissertation—supported by one-on-one supervision—that makes up a third of final year credits. In this way the degree programme systematically transforms the student from a consumer of knowledge in the classroom to a generator of knowledge, ready for professional or postgraduate life.

Content

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Human Geography: Space and Place in a Changing World
• Introduction to Geographical Research (BA)
• Physical Geography.

Optional modules

Choose two optional modules from:

• Environment and Society 
• Geographies of Crisis
• Understanding Earth’s Challenges
• Module(s) offered by another department, subject to approval.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Social Research in Geography (includes compulsory residential fieldwork in the UK)
• Theory and Concepts in Contemporary Human Geography.

These form the required foundation for your Dissertation in the third year.

Optional modules

Choose three modules (the modules may vary from year to year but this is typical of the range):

• Environmental Processes and Governance 
• Geographies of Development
• Political Geography
• Social and Cultural Geography
• Urban Geography
• Economic Geography
• Climate Change: Geographical Perspectives
• One module from the BSc list or from another department (with permission and subject to timetables).

Year 3

Compulsory module

•  Dissertation (individual Research Project).

Optional modules (120 credits from the following):

(the modules may vary from year to year but this is typical of the range):

20 credits

• Urban Change in Europe (Berlin fieldtrip)
• The Arctic (Norway fieldtrip)
• Territory and Geopolitics (Jerisalem fieldtrip)
• Geographies of Energy Transition (Cape Town fieldtrip)
• Geographies of Difference and Identity
• People, Participation and Place
• Politics/Space– Drawing Lines, Writing the World
• Philosophy and Geography
• Natural Hazards in a Vulnerable World.

10 credits

• Cities and the Governing of Climate change
• Post-colonialism and Development 
• Spaces of Health and Well-Being
• Everyday Economies
• Waterworlds and Wellbeing
• Geographyies of Everyday Life
• Geographies of Contemporary Unfree Labour
• Geographies of Memory: Power, Place, Identities
• Geographies of Money and Finance
• Urban Governance.

Study Abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad during second year where we have exchange programmes and this can be a rewarding experience that is highly valued by employers. The latest information is as follows:

• National University of Singapore
• University of British Columbia
• Queen's University, Canada
• University of Otago, New Zealand.

Subject requirements, level and grade

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact us for more information or atgeography.admissions@durham.ac.uk
• Geography is accepted as a science subject
• We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking as part of our offer
• If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Centre offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.
• Please consult the University website for required evidence of English language proficiency
• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Preferred Tests:

a. IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0)

b. TOEFL iBT (internet based test): 92 (no component under 23)

c. Cambridge Proficiency (CPE): Grade C

d. Cambridge Advanced (CAE): Grade A

e. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English at Grade C or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

f. Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language at Grade B or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

g. GCSE English Language at grade C or above

h. Pearson Test of English (overall score 62 (with no score less than 56 in each component))

Alternative accepted tests when those listed in a.-h. above are unavailable to the applicant (if the applicant requires a Tier 4 visa to study, advice on the suitability of these alternatives must be sought from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office):

i. Certificate of Attainment (Edexcel)

j. GCE A-levels (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR, WJEC) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

k. International Baccalaureate with a minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English or a minimum of grade 5 if taken at Higher Level.

l. NEAB (JMB) Test in English (Overseas)

m. Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

n. Singapore Polytechnic Diploma and Advanced Diplomas at GPA 3.0 or above

o. WAEC and NECO Grade B3 or above from Nigeria and Ghana