Degrees Offered

• BSc Single Honours Geography (UCAS Code: F800)
• BSc Single Honours Geography with Extended Studies in Europe (4 years) (UCAS Code: F8RX)
• BSc Joint Honours Archaeology-Palaeoecology and Geography (UCAS Code: VF48)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3350/3829
E: gap@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/gap

Entrance Requirements

BSc Geography

• A-level
  BBB normally including A-level Geography + GCSE Mathematics.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 normally including Higher Level grade B2 in Geography + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.

BSc Geography with Extended Studies in Europe
You should indicate your preferred language in the choices section of your UCAS application.

• A-level
  BBB normally including A-level Geography + GCSE Mathematics.
  For French option: A-level French grade B.
  For Spanish option: A-level Spanish grade B.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B1B2B2B2CC/B1B2B2B2B2 normally including Higher Level grade B2 in Geography + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.
  For French option: Higher Level grade B1 in French.
  For Spanish option: Higher Level grade B1 in Spanish.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

The Subject

Geography embraces the study of human societies and their physical environment. It is one of the few subjects in which human and physical aspects of the environment are integrated. At Queen's, our flexible degree programme enables students to gain an understanding of the major global, regional and local processes that shape our world and the challenges we will face in the future.

Course Content

Our degree programme provides fundamental skills and knowledge while allowing you to tailor your degree according to your interests and ambitions. The programme has three levels, outlined below:

Year 1
You will take a foundation year of Human and Physical Geography modules:
Dynamic Earth
Environmental Issues
Human Geographies of the Modern World
Researching Globalisation

The modules are delivered through combinations of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and field work. They provide an introduction to the subject and analysis of the inter-connections between global, regional and local scales. Associated essays, practicals and research projects contribute to the overall assessment.

Year 2
Students proceeding to a Single Honours Degree in Geography take core modules that explore contemporary approaches to geographical inquiry and the acquisition and analysis of geographical information. In addition, students select from a range of optional human or physical geography-based modules. Single Honours students have an opportunity to attend a residential field course in the second semester. In the past, these have included field sites in Mallorca, Cyprus, Malta, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Level 3 Modules
An element of independent study is required at Level 3, offering you an opportunity to carry out a supervised research project on a topic that interests you (the dissertation), where you can tailor your degree according to your interests. You also select five other specialised modules which vary from year to year. Examples of research topics include:

• Geoforensics
• Global finance
• Palaeoecology
• Science and society
• Sea-level change
• Social geography
• Tropical environments
• Urban development

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

Within Geography and Archaeology we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.   Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals:  where students will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.  Many Archaeology, Geographic Information Systems and Physical Geography modules have associated practical classes, ranging from 3 to 9 hours study per week, depending on the module content.
• E-Learning technologies:Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work.
• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements and Field Classes:  Students taking ‘Geography at Work’ undertake a work-placement during Level 3 and undertake internal work with the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork (CAF) as part of ‘Archaeological Excavation’ in Year 2.  These modules provide significant learning and employability enhancement opportunities.
• Supervised projects:  In final year, students will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that they have chosen.  They will receive support from a supervisor who will guide them in terms of how to carry out research and who will provide feedback on a number of occasions during the write up stage.
• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during levels 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work. 

Careers

Overview: Studying for a Geography degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Geography. 

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in geography-related areas (town and country planning, environmental impact, Land and Property Services [formerly Ordnance Survey]) significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.  The following is a list of the major career sectors that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Employer Links – Consultations: We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, National Trust, Geological Survey of N.Ireland, who provide both snapshot advice on their work, as well as run more in-depth advice sessions, the latter often at taught Masters level. We also run a careers seminar programme with guest speaker employers and further study coordinators (teacher training, Masters and PhD degrees).

Placement Employers: Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

Other Employer Links:One of our key employer links is via our Level 3 module – ‘Geography at Work’, a highly vocational course based largely on a placement that is written up as a project. The module has proven to be of great benefit to students, to the quality of our degree and to employers. Other modules of course maintain employer links with guest lectures and by obtaining recent case studies of work that can be demonstrated in class.

Please take a look at www.prospects.ac.uk for further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Geography graduates.

Further study is also an option open to Geography graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, see: http://www.qub.ac.uk/gap

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Study Abroad: the degree in Geography with Extended Studies in Europe allows students who study a language to spend an extra year of their degree studying Geography in a European University. This extends language skills and lets you experience a different academic and cultural environment. Funding is available to support this year of study under the EU's Erasmus student mobility programme. Opportunities also exist for study abroad for Single Honours Geography students in the United States (Study USA, formerly the Business Education Initiative), the Netherlands and Sweden (Erasmus Programme).