Geography and Environment undergraduate brochure

Exploring the global landscape. Undergraduate degree programmes

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Contents

Contact us

Welcome 4

Key facts and figures 4

Research and learning 6

Our academics 8

Why choose Southampton? 10

Our academic programmes 13

Programme structure

BA and BSc Geography 14

Joint honours programmes:

BSc Geography with Geology 16

BSc Geography with Oceanography 16

BA Archaeology and Geography 18

BSc Population and Geography 18

The research project 19

Field trips 20

Teaching, learning and assessment 21

Teaching excellence 24

Employability and careers 26

Applying and funding 30

International undergraduates 31

Student life 33

Southampton and region 34

Visiting the University 37

How to get here 38

Undergraduate Admissions Geography and EnvironmentUniversity of SouthamptonHighfield CampusSouthampton SO17 1BJUnited KingdomTel: +44 (0)23 8059 3760Email: [email protected] www.southampton.ac.uk/geography

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Our students have a desire to learn and be challenged

Welcome to Geography and Environment

The University of Southampton is one of the UK’s leading centres for geography. As a member of the Russell Group* of top universities, we are internationally recognised for the excellence of our teaching and research, and we attract students and academics from all over the world.

Our subject tackles the major challenges facing the world today, from global environmental change to economic transformation. Through expanding geographical and environmental knowledge, we play a major role in informing and influencing government policy both at home and abroad.

Our students are a diverse group of individuals who share a passion for geography, a fascination with changing natural and social environments, and a desire to learn and be challenged. You will discover how to interpret a changing world and you will also develop the transferable skills that are key to professional success. Southampton graduates are highly successful in the job market. They enter careers in many different fields in the private and public sectors, ranging from environmental planning, consultancy and marketing to financial management, local government and IT.

We are looking for committed students to join Southampton’s Geography and Environment community. Please read this brochure, browse our website and discover what we can offer you.

Professor Peter Atkinson

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*The Russell Group is an association of 20 major UK research universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and the London School of Economics

Key facts and figures

Teacher rating Confidence (the highest rating) : Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), March 2008

Research rating 20 per cent of research activity classified as ‘world leading’ with 55 per cent at least ‘internationally excellent’ : Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008

Average tutorial size seven students

Employability 81% employed or engaged in further study (2011 Destinations of leavers from HE study)

Entry requirements AAB

Course intake 180

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Year two BSc students on a residential field trip to the Picos de Europa, Northern Spain

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Research and learning

Coring an ice covered lake in Alaska in collaboration with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks

As one of the leading research universities in the UK, we will focus on your talent and give you the chance to personalise your learning, providing you with the opportunity to study subjects not directly linked to your degree.

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You will be taught by academics working at the forefront of their fields and learn about world-leading research as it takes place, giving you the kind of education that will put you among the most sought after graduates. We will encourage you to give feedback about your experience that we will use to shape and implement improvements. Listening to feedback from our students means we are constantly exploring exciting changes to our programmes including offering more flexibility and choice to enable you to tailor your degree to meet your needs.

Depending on your chosen programme you could experience a wide range of innovative learning methods such as field trips, laboratory study, excavations, private and public sector placements, and group projects, all of which are supported by virtual learning environments. You will be challenged intellectually and encouraged to develop your ability to work and learn independently. Through group project work you will gain the transferable skills – such as communication, teamwork and project management – to put your subject knowledge into practice and help you achieve your career aspirations.

Exploring Alaskan climate changeFollowing work on identifying fossils from lake sediments in Alaskan lakes, Richard Smith was keen to use this knowledge in his dissertation.

The focus of Richard’s project was to assess whether these fossils could be used as indicators of methane release from the Arctic lakes. This is a major issue due to its impact on climate change, but little is currently known about the past behaviour of methane release. Richard’s research attempted to assess whether these midge fossils can be used as an indicator of methane content to help further understand the

natural variability of methane release from arctic lakes. Methane data on the lakes had previously been collected by Southampton Geographers and colleagues at The University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Richard’s laboratory work included identifying the fossils, synthesising and categorising the lakes according to methane content, and running a range of multivariate analyses on the results. He found that there was clear potential for using these fossils as past methane indicators; an important finding with implications for assessing past changes of methane release from Arctic lakes. Richard’s dissertation won the best dissertation in Quaternary Science, a prize administered by the Royal Geographic Society with the Institute for British Geographers (RGS-IBG) for the Quaternary Research Association.

Highlighting participation through dating researchRebecca Withey’s research project on teen dating abuse adopted a youth participation approach, inviting them to share their views on how this issue could affect them. She highlighted that current prevention efforts of teen dating abuse are dominated by adult reasoning and fail to directly engage with young people themselves.

A mixed methods approach involving a survey, focus group and interviews was used to understand young people’s views on teen dating abuse interventions. As a result the current knowledge on ways to tackle teen dating abuse has been added to, potentially providing preliminary suggestions for decision-makers. Furthermore the increased understanding gained by listening to young people supports youth participation in research. Rebecca was nominated for the national RGS-IBG Social and Cultural Geography undergraduate dissertation prize.

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Our academicsAs an undergraduate student at Southampton, you will be learning from and working with academics at the forefront of their disciplines. Here are just a few of our academics.

1. Dr Sally HaywardDirector of Student Support

Sally Hayward’s research and teaching focus is on periglacial geomorphology, such as earth hummocks in Norwegian mountains. In addition, Sally supports the pastoral care offered to all geography students as Director of Student support. Sally is dedicated to supporting all students make a successful transition from school/college to university level learning and thus fulfil both their personal and academic potential. From the student’s first day and induction sessions, through skills development in year 1 and finally to graduation, these early relationships provide a sound foundation for personal understanding and trust while at the University.

2. Samantha CockingsGeographic Information Systems Researcher

Samantha Cockings uses GIS and spatial analytical methods to model populations. Her research has been used by the Office for National Statistics to create zones for publishing 2011 Census data in England and Wales. She is also developing improved population estimates for specific times of the day, week and season. This exciting work has great potential for applications such as emergency planning, environmental management and health. Samantha also investigates links between environment and health, such as landfill sites, powerlines and water disinfection byproducts. Her teaching includes GIS and Geographies of Health.

3. Dr Peter LangdonReader in Palaeoenvironmental Change

Pete likes playing with lake mud and the fossils within, and using them to reconstruct past environmental change. He has developed datasets to allow the reconstruction of past temperatures from lake sediments, as well as assessing changes

in lake eutrophication. He has used these palaeoenvironmental records to provide evidence of multidecadal changes in regional ecosystem services and also to test for early warning signals of environmental change in system functioning. Pete’s teaching encourages students to learn about lake and ecosystem functioning, and their relationships with environmental change.

4. Professor Graham MoonGraham Moon is a health geographer and teaches modules on health and health care geographies, wellbeing, and global health. His research interests focus on health-related behaviours and post-asylum geographies. Recent projects have examined the relationship between ethnic segregation and smoking prevalence, the effectiveness of smoking cessation initiatives and the afterlife of former psychiatric asylums following their closure. Graham’s work is based in the UK, France, New Zealand and Canada.

Graham is co-convenor of the University’s Strategic Research Group in Population Health and Editor –in-Chief of the journal Health and Place.

5. Dr Jo NieldJo Nield is an aeolian geomorphologist who applies innovative techniques including terrestrial laser scanning and cellular automaton modelling to understand key controls on wind-driven processes in desert regions and how these systems may respond to climate variations. Her research takes her to field sites in Africa, USA and Iceland, and when she is not working in the Kalahari or Chihuahuan Deserts, you may find her teaching second year students in the semi-arid region at the top of the Mt Teide volcano in Tenerife or enabling students to explore dune fields on other planetary bodies (e.g. Mars and Titan) using computer simulation models.

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Further information

To find out more about our academics visit www.southampton.ac.uk/geography/about/staff.page

6. Dr Nick ClarkeNick Clarke is Lecturer in Human Geography and Head of the BA Programme. His research covers urban, political, and cultural geography. Overall, he is interested in globalisation and its implications for community. Specific research projects have included studies of migration to Australia, ethical consumption, the foreign policies of local governments, and localism in British politics. Nick leads the Berlin fieldcourse - which he loves because Berlin is a fascinating city in which to study urban geography, but also because he loves the music, politics, and cosmopolitan culture of what is a unique city.

Why choose Southampton?Academic excellenceGeography is an exciting, interdisciplinary subject, which makes a dynamic contribution to understanding natural and social environments. Our teaching draws on the research expertise of our staff and examples from the real world that impact on people’s lives. The University was recently ranked 7th in the UK for student experience (Times Higher Education). In the last Research Assessment Exercise, 55 per cent of our research activity was judged to be internationally excellent, with 20 per cent classed as world- leading (RAE 2008).

A vibrant communityWe have a lively community of around 600 undergraduate and postgraduate students and 35 full-time academic staff. You will engage with cutting-edge debates and develop a thorough understanding of the processes that are shaping the future of our planet. You will also acquire a range of skills that are highly valued in the national and international job market.

Supportive environmentWe aim to provide the best possible student experience. In addition to lectures and tutorials, you will take part in fieldwork, both in the UK and abroad. Practical work is embedded in our courses, developing key skills and enhancing employability, and the broad curriculum enables plenty of choice. While we are totally committed to providing an excellent quality of education, we also ensure that our students have fun.

Outstanding resourcesWe offer outstanding facilities to support your learning. These include recently refurbished environmental process laboratories and state-of-the-art GIS and Earth observation facilities. The main University library has recently undergone a £12m refurbishment and provides excellent resources for geographers, including electronic journals, databases and streamed media. Around 1,700 workstations across the University enable easy access to the latest online research and learning resources.

Welcoming diversityThe University of Southampton is a diverse, friendly and supportive environment in which to live and learn. More than 3,000 international students from 130 countries choose to study here. We welcome students of all backgrounds and ages to our inclusive student community.

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Highfield Campus

“The structure of the geography courses in the first year was really appealing, as it allowed me to study some biology modules. I was able to put this mix of expertise to great use in my final-year dissertation, with a project that focused on the implications of climate change for conservation management.”Joe Williams,BSc Geography, 2006

Crossing disciplinary boundaries

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“Studying human geography has helped to shape the way I think about the world, my attitudes and values. Each module is unique and research-led and the lecturers give plenty of support. Everyone I met on my course was really friendly and the Geography Society (GeogSoc) is the best!”Clare Rimmer,BA Geography, 2010

Our academic programmes

Year oneYear one provides a broad academic foundation in human and physical geography, with statistical and computing skills an important element. You will take a range of core modules and attend a compulsory field course in the UK, which looks in depth at topics in human and physical geography.

You will also take a module outside geography. You can choose from complementary subjects, such as politics, economics, sociology and psychology if you are taking human geography, or from environmental sciences, geology and oceanography if your interests are in physical geography. Alternatively, you may wish to extend your studies in other ways, for example by taking one of Southampton’s post-GCSE modules in French, Spanish or German.

At the end of your first year you can either confirm or change your choice of BA or BSc degree programme.

Year two In year two, BA students take core modules in human geography, while BSc students take core modules in physical geography. You will also choose optional modules in human or physical geography, or take two modules from outside geography, either in a closely related subject, such as geology, oceanography, demography, sociology or politics, or in a subject that is connected to geography in another way, such as a modern language.

It is also possible to substitute one or two optional modules with interdisciplinary study through the University’s Curriculum Innovation Programme (CIP). For further details visit www.southampton.ac.uk/cip/

You will attend a compulsory residential field course overseas, which focuses on human or physical geography depending on whether you are taking a BA or BSc.

Year threeA major part of all of our degree programmes is the research project, which begins in the second year and is submitted before Easter in the third year. The project, which involves personal fieldwork or documentary research in the UK or abroad, allows you to focus on what interests and enthuses you most. Working under academic supervision, it is an excellent opportunity to pursue and study in depth a topic that you find fascinating. See page 19 for details.

You will choose six advanced options from a wide range, based on the research interests of our academic staff. Whether your interests are in fluvial processes, environmental change, urban geography or healthcare provision, you will become immersed in cutting-edge issues and debates.

There are optional overseas residential field trips for both physical geography (for example, to the Swiss Alps) and human geography (for example, to Berlin) in the third year.

Designed for undergraduates who are thinking of a career in teaching, the highly popular Geography Ambassadors module involves a placement in a local school and the completion of a special project undertaken in a classroom which links geographical and educational issues.

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BA/BSc Geography (three years) | L700/F800

La Géode: view from Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Parc de la Villette, Paris: one of the sites studied on our BA Human Geography level 2 fieldtrip

Programme structure

BA and BSc Year one BA Year two BA Year three

Core modulesThe Earth System Geomorphological Processes Economy, Culture, Space Globalisation and Uneven Development Quantitative MethodsGeographical Skills

Optional moduleExternal non-geography or Curriculum Innovation Programme (CIP) module

Core modulesCritical Human Geographies Introductory Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Research Methods in Human Geography (field course)

Optional modulesGeographies of Wellbeing Economic Geography Cultural Geography

Students must take a minimum of two optional BA units. Two further units can be BA, BSc, CIP or external

Core modulesResearch project

Optional modules: choose six*Advanced Human Geography (field course) Advanced GIS Retail and Consumption Geographies of Health and Healthcare Development Theory and Practice Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme Geographies of Nature Urban and Regional Economies Regions in the Global Economy Global Urbanism Cultures of Globalisation Geographies of Gender and Work Innovation, Creativity, Space Geographies of Housing and Home *At least three must be BA

BSc Year two BSc Year three

Core modulesEnvironmental Monitoring Techniques Introductory GIS Research Methods in Physical Geography (field course)

Optional modulesQuaternary Environmental Change Drainage Basin Geomorphology Global Climate Change

Students must take a minimum of two optional BSc units. Two further units can be BA, BSc, CIP or external

Core modulesResearch project

Optional modules: choose six*Arctic and Alpine Geomorphology Palaeoecology and Landscape Change Advanced GIS Advanced Remote Sensing Arolla field course Glaciers and Glaciation River Basin Management Aquatic Systems and Environmental Change Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme Environment and Development Human–Environment Interactions Aeolian Processes Mediterranean Environments and Culture Introductory Remote Sensing Fluvial Sedimentological Processes * At least three must be BSc

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BA Geography (three years) | L700

BSc Geography (three years) | F800

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Year two BSc student studying the geomorphology of the Picos de Europa on a residential field trip

“Southampton is brilliant. If I were to do it all again, I wouldn’t choose any other university. The lecturers are superb and very hands-on. If you need help, they are always there. The courses are very interesting and challenging, especially as you progress through the degree and apply yourself more thoroughly.”Tom Sykes,BSc Geography, 2006

Joint honours programmes

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Geography with Geology Year one

Geography with Geology Year two

Geography with Geology Year three

Core modulesThe Earth System Geomorphological Processes Quantitative Methods Geographical Skills Dynamic Earth Earth and Ocean Systems

Optional moduleExternal non-geography or CIP module

Core modulesEnvironmental Monitoring Techniques Introductory GIS Research Methods in Physical Geography (field course) Geohazards and Earth ResourcesSedimentary Systems and ProcessesGlobal Climate Change

Optional modules: choose two Quaternary Environmental Change Drainage Basin Geomorphology Environmental PalaeobiologyIntroductory Remote Sensing Fluvial Sedimentological Processes

You can also choose up to two external modules including Curriculum Innovation programme (CIP)

Core modulesResearch project

Optional modules: choose six Choose at least two from these:Arctic and Alpine Geomorphology Palaeoecology and Landscape Change Advanced GIS Advanced Remote Sensing Arolla field course Glaciers and Glaciation River Basin Management Aquatic Systems and Environmental Change Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme Environment and Development Human–Environment Interactions Aeolian Processes Quaternary Environmental Change Introductory Remote Sensing Fluvial Sedimentological Processes External module

Choose up to two from these:Petroleum Geology and Mineral ResourcesSediments: Modern and AncientEnvironmental Geology

You can also choose up to two external modules including Curriculum Innovation programme (CIP)

BSc Geography with Geology (three years) | FF68

BSc Geography with Oceanography (three years) | F8F7

We offer joint honours programmes in Geography with Geology and Geography with Oceanography. In each case, geography forms around two-thirds of the programme, with the remainder comprising the second subject.

One of the main attractions of joint honours programmes is that they allow you to study across conventional disciplinary boundaries, gaining an in-depth understanding of two related subjects.

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Geography with Oceanography Year one

Geography with Oceanography Year two

Geography with Oceanography Year three

Core modulesThe Earth System Geomorphological ProcessesQuantitative Methods Geographical Skills Earth and Ocean Systems

Choose onePhysical OceanographyElements of Marine EcologyIntroduction to Ocean BiogeochemistryPhysical Oceanography

Optional moduleExternal non-geography or CIP module

Core modulesEnvironmental Monitoring Techniques Introductory GIS Research Methods in Physical Geography (field course) Physical Geography in Environmental Management

Core oceanography modules: choose one Coastal and Estaurine Oceanography I Coastal and Estaurine Oceanography II

Compulsory oceanography modules: choose onePhysical Oceanography IIPhytoplankton and Primary ProductionEcological Processes in Marine BenthosGeochemistrySedimentary Systems and ProcessesAny relevant Ocean and Earth Science or GEOG year two module

Optional modules: choose one Quaternary Environmental Change Drainage Basin Geomorphology Introductory Remote Sensing Fluvial Sedimentological Processes Advanced Geographic Information Systems Environmental Palaeobiology

You can also choose up to two external modules including Curriculum Innovation programme (CIP)

Core modulesResearch project

Oceanography modules: choose two Shelf Edge DynamicsLarge-scale OceansInshore Fisheries and AquacultureZooplankton Ecology and ProcessesPalaeoclimate ChangeCoastal Sediment DynamicsOceanography from Space

Optional geography modules: choose two to fourArctic and Alpine Geomorphology Palaeoecology and Landscape Change Advanced GIS Advanced Remote Sensing Arolla field course Glaciers and Glaciation River Basin Management Aquatic Systems and Environmental Change Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme Environment and Development Human–Environment Interactions Aeolian Processes Quaternary Environmental Change Introductory Remote Sensing Fluvial Sedimentological Processes

You can also choose up to two external modules including Curriculum Innovation programme (CIP)

Joint honours programmes

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BA Archaeology and Geography (three years) | VL47

Studying these two subjects together allows you to explore the relationship between the wider landscape and environment and the human societies that inhabited them in the past. In addition to the broad archaeological base, this programme covers social and cultural anthropology, historical archaeology, and physical and cultural geography.

You might undertake the chemical analysis of ceramics or human bones, or use theories drawn from anthropology or sociology.

The breadth of subjects available means that you can study the areas you are most interested in. Southampton is a world leader in maritime archaeology, and you can take these units in all three years.

This programme is run by Humanities. For further details please visit www.southampton.ac.uk/archaeology

BSc Population and Geography (three years) | L701

This interdisciplinary BSc degree focuses on people and the world around them, looking at the mechanisms that drive changes in populations and their implications for society and nature. It is an innovative collaboration between Social Sciences and Geography, linking geography with demography and population sciences. The course studies how populations evolve and the causes and consequences of that change, taking a global outlook. Exploring processes in both the developed and developing world, highlighting links between population, geography and development, poverty, environmental and social change.

For students interested in geography, the programme provides a specialisation that distinguishes them from other geographers. For those interested in population issues, it provides a broader theoretical and substantive background that widens opportunities.

– provides a grounding in the key concepts of both population and human geography, with the potential to explore a wide range of alternative subjects as optional modules in Social Sciences, Geography and throughout the university.

– enables students to understand the history of the population of the world, and the forces which are reshaping populations and societies in the 21st century.

– offers students the opportunity to study specific global issues and regions in depth, from reproductive health, migration and poverty to globalisation and climate change.

– responds to the need for quantitative analysts for social policymaking locally, nationally and internationally.

This programme is run by Social Sciences. For further details please visit www.southampton.ac.uk/demography/undergraduate “I chose Southampton because the diversity of the

course would give me a solid grounding in all areas of geography. The University offers the whole student experience. There is an amazing nightlife, a massive range of societies, one of the biggest libraries in the country and a genuinely friendly team of top academics.”

Marie Rushworth | BSc Geography, 2010

The research project

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The research project will give you the opportunity to conduct a significant piece of independent research on a topic of your choice.

The project usually involves students doing their own fieldwork or document-based research. You will begin preliminary work and data collection towards the end of year two and develop the project over the following months, supervised by a member of staff. You will submit your report before Easter in the final year.

An increasing number of students conduct their projects overseas, and many make valuable research contributions to geographical knowledge in their own right.

Coring lake sediments in Patagonia as part of a research project

Field trips

Fieldwork is one of the most valuable and exciting elements of a geography degree. Day trips and residential courses, ranging from visits to the New Forest to alpine adventures, will enable you to put what you have learned in the lecture hall into practice. Students gain a lot of technical and practical skills from their field trips, which are often the highlight of their degrees.

Field courses in the first year are based in the UK and introduce you to a range of general techniques. Second-year field courses take place overseas. They develop more focused techniques specific to your particular degree and prepare you for your research project. The University pays for these compulsory trips in the first and second years, so, apart from incidental expenses in the field, they are free of charge to students.

In year three, you may select advanced fieldwork modules in either human or physical geography. These are based at centres outside the UK and have recently included Barcelona, Berlin and Switzerland.

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Please note: Field courses in the first and second years are compulsory. If you think you may have difficulty participating, for reasons of disability for example, please contact us in advance.

These comments are from a survey of students following an undergraduate field trip to the Picos de Europa in 2011

“The tours allowed us to see the features for ourselves. The fact that we were encouraged to come up with our own project ideas was amazing. It really allowed us to get into a geography research mindset.”

“Overall the trip was fantastic. The most beneficial aspect was the interaction with the lecturers and being able to obtain advice whenever. The range of projects offered allowed the learning of multiple disciplines and a great opportunity to think about future paths to follow.”

“I really enjoyed being out in the field and learning through physical activity instead of pure theory.”

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“The field trips have been the highlight of my degree. I have visited the New Forest, Amsterdam and Berlin. People studying for the BSc have been on trips to Tenerife, Arolla and the Picos de Europa. The courses allow you to study a wide range of topics and get hands-on experience conducting your own research out in the field.”Steve Beakhust,BA Geography, 20011

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Practical engagement plays a key role as a learning experience

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learningWe employ a wide range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars and supervisions. Lectures are a way of passing on knowledge and enthusiasm for a subject and act as a springboard for independent study.

Seminars and supervisions cover basic study skills, explore key geographical themes and are a helpful forum for developing verbal and written work. They also provide an opportunity to discuss matters arising from lectures in more depth.

Acquiring statistical, laboratory and computational skills will be an essential part of your course. Computer practicals develop skills in data analysis, computer graphics, word processing and spreadsheets. Work in the laboratory will introduce you to practical analytical skills.

Fieldwork for all first- and second-year students, both UK and overseas, provides a strong and enjoyable basis for engagement with advanced-level option modules in the third year.

Assessment and feedbackThere are various methods of assessment, depending on the module. These include:

– essays and reports

– fieldwork reports

– oral presentations

– practical exercises

– websites and research posters

– written examinations

The modules you choose will have a range of different assessment methods, and coursework (in contrast with written exams) can form between 30 and 100 per cent of a module. You will receive written feedback on all assessed work.

Pastoral supportPastoral care is an important part of the University’s culture. A personal tutor will be assigned to you when you first arrive at Southampton. Their role is to provide you with support should you have any academic or personal problems during your time here. A student support manager will see you if you cannot find your tutor and you need to talk something through.

Our student office is open every day during term-time. Staff will answer your questions, take in your coursework and provide you with all the information you need.

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Our teaching received the highest possible rating in the most recent assessment by the government’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA, March 2008).

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Learning environmentWe have a spirit of research that is firmly embedded in our culture, which helps to set us apart from other universities. It is this environment that makes studying here a unique and exciting experience.

Further information

To find out more about our research centres and facilities, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/geography/research/facilities

LibrariesOur facilities are among the best in the country. The Hartley Library on the Highfield Campus is one of the leading research libraries in the UK. Facilities include a state-of-the-art learning centre, with consultation rooms, ‘walk in’ internet access, a language study area with computers linked to software for a range of languages, a café and a study lounge.

The Hartley Library houses specialist collections including the Broadland Archives, the papers of the Duke of Wellington, world renowned collections relating to Jewish history and culture, and the Ford Collection of British Official Parliamentary Publications.

Research centres and facilitiesWith a reputation for linking fundamental research with real-world applications, Southampton is home to cutting-edge research centres that consistently break new ground.

Our research centres have strong links with business, industry and government. For example, our National Oceanography Centre Southampton provides large-scale infrastructure and support for the entire

UK marine research community while collaborating with the oil, gas and communications industries. We also strive to bring together national and international experts to address critical issues facing society and this is the case in our Institute for Life Sciences where biosciences help tackle issues such as climate change and human health.

All our research centres at Southampton focus on global challenges that really impact on society. Our Optoelectronics Research Centre focuses on photonics research and the centre has played a major role in developing the optical telecommunications technology that underpins the internet.

Other facilities include the Southampton Wind Tunnels for aerodynamics testing, yacht and sail design and the University’s supercomputer, one of the most powerful university-owned supercomputers in the UK.

We also have our own flight simulator; the Southampton Flight Simulator is unique in the UK, developed by students, for students. It is a state-of-the-art facility and first year undergraduates can learn to fly from take-off through to landing, putting theory from lectures into practice.

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Geography and Environment facilitiesOur various laboratories and other facilities are the backbone of our rigorous research in environmental processes and modelling, palaeoecology, geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing.

Following a major laboratory refurbishment we can now offer a fully equipped purpose built student teaching laboratory for palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental analysis including a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with geochemical analyses.

Our field equipment includes a range of corers for sampling, as well as a boat equipped with a depth sounder and sub-bottom profiling (CHIRP).

The Environmental Processes Laboratory enables the integration of fundamental scientific processes of data collection, processing, analysis and visualization from a range of different environments and includes two terrestrial laser scanners, differential GPS and robotic total station.

We also have a modelling cluster and a range of GIS software.

The Chilworth Experimental Hydraulic Flume (pictured) is an important asset for our research activities in environmental processes and change.

The GeoData Institute provides an extensive range of generic and bespoke courses to develop skills in GIS and associated technologies.

Students undertaking practical work on Geography’s experimental flume

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Employability and careers

Many of today’s most pressing concerns emerge from the intersection of social and natural processes – think of climate change, globalisation, overpopulation and waste management. Geographers are ideally positioned to analyse, understand and address these issues. The project management and communication skills you will develop are also in demand.

Geography is a broad and inclusive subject, which examines the environmental make-up, cultural traditions and political dynamics of our diverse world. You will understand how environmental and social processes create and impact on villages and magacities, oceans and deserts, tropical rainforests and polar ice fields. You will also develop skills in critical analysis, problem-solving, teamworking and independent research. The fact that geographers straddle the natural and social sciences will give you particular advantages in the job market.

The University’s careers service, Career Destinations, offers face-to-face guidance and has an excellent library and online resources. Geography and Environment also provides a series of career-related workshops, featuring external speakers from a wide range of employers in the public and private sectors.

In addition, geographers participate in the Graduate Passport Scheme, an award that provides formal recognition of extra curricular activities such as community volunteering. This scheme, acknowledged in a certificate and transcript of activities undertaken, will enable you to develop your personal attributes in ways that are of great relevance to your future career.

A geography degree from Southampton will give you valuable knowledge and marketable skills for the future. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in a wide range of fields, including environmental management and planning, financial services, property development, local and central government, research, consultancy and teaching.

Further information

To find out more about range of careers our students have gone on to, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/geography/alumni/our_alumni.page

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SIFE members Mike Austin and Rebecca Willey

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“I have been 100% encouraged throughout my time here to reach my full potential. Additionally, schemes such as Southampton Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Graduate Passport have encouraged me to interact with the local community, through volunteering, and develop my employability skills. Ultimately, preparing me for life beyond university.” Perri ProbertBA Geography, 2012

Graduate careers

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“My joint honours degree allowed me to do 50 per cent of my modules at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. This gave me experience of the geological field, which includes oil and gas exploration and mining, as well as organisational and geographical skills (GIS and management).” Ben LordBSc Geography and Geology, 2005 Now signal processing engineer for an oil and gas exploration company

“I am currently working on a €11 million project funded by the European Commission, coordinating 37 partners from across Europe and ensuring that work gets delivered on time and on budget. I work on a daily basis with the major players in the European satellite and mapping industry. The organisational and communication skills I developed at Southampton, together with a certain level of confidence, attention to detail and background knowledge from my course, have been particularly valuable for me in this role.”

Natalie Levin BSc Geography, 2005 Now working with GIS

“My studies kept me open-minded about which career path to take, but I was keen to develop skills in a variety of business functions in the competitive retail sector. A geography degree has been valuable in a whole range of ways: the research project prepared me for structuring financial and personnel reports, while group work provided valuable experience of collating information through different channels and working with people. Field trips and practical classes taught me about information gathering in the field and producing accurate and concise reports.”

Nick Dyson BA Geography, 2004 Now working as a retail manager

“My human geography degree enabled me to learn about the history, culture, languages and social movements that give rise to the everyday fabric of places. I’m now working as an events coordinator for an IT journalism company in Sydney, Australia. My degree played a significant role in giving me the tools, support and open-mindedness to approach this opportunity with confidence.”

Kirstin Coughtrie BA Geography, 2005 Now working in IT and new media

My geography degree has definitely opened doors for me. The broad range of topics studied and issues covered helped to open my eyes to new interests and career paths. Without my degree I wouldn’t have the graduate job I have now. I am working as a Submissions Writer for a large civil engineering company within a team of writers who research and produce bids to win large engineering contracts.

Liz Stimson BSc geography, 2010 Now working in water research

“I had always wanted to pursue a field with a clear career path, diverse work schedule and opportunities to travel. Town planning offered all of these things. I am now employed by a successful planning consultancy in south-west London. My work involves project managing teams of land use professionals and negotiating with local planning authorities to achieve planning permission for a range of residential and commercial developments across the country.”

Sophie Hill BSc Geography Now working in town planning

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General entry requirements

To apply for undergraduate study you must satisfy our general entry requirements and any specific requirements of your chosen programme. Typical entry requirements for applicants with GCE A-levels can be found online.

Specific entry requirements

Standard entry requirements A level: AAB, including A in geography. General studies is not accepted. For joint honours programmes, an additional A level science subject (eg biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, mathematics or physics) is requiredIB: 34 points, 17 at higher levelScottish Highers: AAABB.European Baccalaureate: 80%BTEC and Access: Applications are considered on individual merit.

How to apply

Apply online at www.ucas.com, the website for UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Our UCAS code name is SOTON and our number is S27. All students should apply between 1 September 2012 and 15 January 2013. If you are an international student from outside the UK or EU, we may consider your application up until 30 June 2013, however we cannot guarantee there will be vacancies on our courses after the January deadline.

Admissions policy

1. The University of Southampton will: − recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds,

who we believe have the potential to complete their programmes successfully and make a valuable contribution to university life

− attract applicants who enjoy the challenge of forward thinking, the excitement of research findings in their programmes and the high standards of learning and teaching we set ourselves

− foster a diverse learning community in which our students will meet people from different cultures, thereby enhancing their skills of critical reasoning, teamwork and communication, and thus preparing them for successful participation in their chosen careers and roles

2. The University is committed to a system of admissions that ensures fairness, transparency and equal opportunities within the legal framework of the UK and best practice. All reasonable effort will be made to ensure that no prospective or existing student is unreasonably treated less favourably on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality,

ethnic origin, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender, marital or parental/carer status, political belief or social or economic class, or any other type of discrimination.

Tuition fees and funding

Tuition fees for students entering the University in the 2012/13 academic year are £9,000 a year. Your tuition fee will usually cover compulsory course costs, such as field trips and laboratory clothing, however a contribution may be necessary towards certain elements. Please check with your programme coordinator for more details. We offer a generous student support package that includes a tapered fee waiver based on household income supplied to us by the SLC, for students from lower income families.

The University offers a host of services to enhance and support your student experience. Some of these services, including Sports and Wellbeing membership, a uni-link bus pass and cultural events on campus, will be available to purchase using a Student Entitlement card. The card will be offered to UK and EU undergraduate students paying the £9,000 fees themselves or via the Student Loans Company. For more information about the scheme, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/entitlement

We recommend that you visit our website for up-to-date information on tuition fees before you submit your UCAS form.

If you are a UK student starting a higher education course in 2013/14, you can apply for loans to help pay for both fees and maintenance. For more details, visit our website, where you also have access to our Finance calculator, a useful tool to help you budget for university study and estimate living costs. www.southampton.ac.uk/money

For up-to-date information on tuition fees for international students, visit our website.

Scholarships & Bursaries

We offer a variety of scholarships and progression awards to the most talented students across our subject areas. For full eligibility criteria, visit our website. www.southampton.ac.uk/scholarships

In addition to our scholarship programme, we offer a generous range of bursaries designed to help UK undergraduate students in the most financial need. For more information, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/bursaries

Applying and fundingWe are committed to making our admissions fair and transparent. Higher education at Southampton is open to all students with the necessary skills and ability, regardless of age, background or financial circumstances.

Contact us

Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 4732 Email: [email protected] visit www.southampton.ac.uk/fees

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International Office

Staff from our International Office attend educational exhibitions around the world as well as making numerous visits overseas and to colleges in the UK. Face-to-face contact is the best way of getting to know the University, so if you are unable to visit us in Southampton, make sure that you book an appointment to meet us at one of the exhibitions. For full details of locations and timings of our overseas visits, please contact the International Office.

We provide advice and information to anyone who is considering applying to Southampton. Our aim is to make the process of joining the University as simple as possible. Visit our website, which has information available in many languages, for an introduction to the University.

Welcoming our international students

Before leaving home and arriving in the UK, there are a number of things you should do to prepare for university life. These include having the right documentation, filling in forms and registering for various services and programmes. Make sure you read our information for international students on our website, or contact the International Office for advice.

International Welcome Programme

We encourage all new international undergraduates to register for our Welcome Programme, specifically designed for international students. This takes place in September each year and includes general events to introduce you to our facilities, subject-specific events to begin your academic induction, and a range of social and cultural activities. The programme offers practical information and presents an opportunity to meet staff and other students.

On certain dates before the beginning of the academic year, we arrange to meet new international students from London Heathrow Airport (Meet and Greet Service). Our representatives will be there to meet you and transport you directly to the University for the Welcome Programme. www.southampton.ac.uk/welcome

Support

We have three specialist academic advisors, whose role is to support our international students with their studies. The Students’ Union Advice Centre also provides cultural and personal support.

Visas

Before you come to study in the UK, it is essential that you find out about the UK’s immigration procedures and how they will affect you. Our website provides information on student visas, police registration, working in the UK and links to other useful websites. www.southampton.ac.uk/visas

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate that you have reached a satisfactory standard in an approved English language test. For the majority of our courses we require an IELTS level of 6.5 or equivalent, achieved in the past two years. If you need to improve your English language skills, you can apply to our pre-sessional English language courses. For more information on general English Language requirements please visit our website.

International undergraduatesThe University has a thriving international community. In 2010/11 our student body included 5,000 EU and international students from more than 130 countries.

Contact us

International Office Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 9699 Email: [email protected] www.southampton.ac.uk/international

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“Geography has one of the largest student intakes each year, which means that there are literally hundreds of like-minded geographers to meet. GeogSoc is the University’s second largest society and hosts many events.”Steve Beakhust BA Geography, 2011

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Campuses

Our main Highfield Campus, in the north of Southampton, is home to the Students’ Union, the Jubilee Sports Centre, the Hartley Library, a 330-seat Uniplex cinema and three leading arts venues: The Nuffield Theatre, the Turner Sims concert hall and the John Hansard Gallery.

A few minutes’ walk from Highfield is Avenue Campus, which houses most disciplines within Humanities, and the Centre for Language Study. It has a library, lecture theatres, focused study spaces and catering amenities.

Three miles west of Highfield is Southampton General Hospital, one of the country’s leading teaching hospitals and the base for Medicine. The campus offers modern laboratories, computer suites, refurbished lecture theatres, catering facilities and a specialist health services library.

Located on the city’s waterfront, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton is one of the world’s leading research centres for the study of ocean and Earth sciences. The campus has its own fitness suite, sports hall and catering facilities.

Winchester School of Art is located 12 miles north of Southampton, in Winchester city centre. The campus provides purpose designed studios and workshops, an extensive specialist library, Students’ Union facilities, a café and a well-stocked art supplies shop.

Our branch campus for engineering is in EduCity, Iskandar in Malaysia and benefits from innovative world-class facilities for engineering and full access to the learning resources at our UK campuses. It offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study in a safe international environment.

Social life

As an undergraduate student you will automatically become a member of Southampton University’s Students’ Union (SUSU), one of the largest in the UK.

The Students’ Union provides a range of places to eat great food, hear top bands, see the latest films and get information and advice. The Jubilee Sports Centre houses a 25m swimming pool, badminton and squash courts and a fitness studio. Our outdoor facilities include eight tennis courts, two floodlit synthetic turf pitches and a number of grass pitches.

We also offer a wide range of water sports to cater for everyone, from beginners to elite athletes.

You can also take part in a whole host of clubs and societies, from snowboarding and mountain biking to photography and philosophy. Whatever your interests, SUSU organises a diverse range of events and activities to keep you entertained. Our societies range from the cultural and course-related, to the international, sporting and political.

Accommodation

With 20 halls of residence and first-class facilities it’s no wonder our accommodation is so popular. We have more than 5,000 places in 20 halls that provide a wide range of living arrangements that all offer excellent value for money. Our halls vary in size, character and facilities, but they all provide the same high-quality accommodation in a safe, diverse, inclusive environment. We have accommodation specifically for undergraduates, from standard packages to self-catered studio flats. We also have a limited number of properties suitable for couples and families.

If you are a UK or EU student, we welcome your application for a place in halls, which we allocate subject to availability. If we are unable to offer you a place in halls, we can give you help and advice on securing private rented accommodation.

International Students

If you are a full-time registered international undergraduate student, you are guaranteed an offer in halls for your first year of study, provided that you are unaccompanied, live outside Southampton and we receive your accommodation application by the advertised deadline.

Student life The University of Southampton’s six campuses all offer a friendly, vibrant and diverse atmosphere for work and leisure.

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Southampton and regionSouthampton is a thriving modern city, steeped in history and culture. Just over an hour south of London, Southampton has excellent transport links with the rest of the UK.

A lively cityClose to the city centre, the University forms an integral part of this dynamic, multicultural city. Our location offers a vibrant mix of recreation, culture and entertainment – from restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs to cinemas, sports facilities, internationally acclaimed arts venues and one of the south of England’s top shopping centres. The University is next to Southampton Common, a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest with extensive areas of public open space and managed woodland.

Whether you fancy a lunch with friends or dancing into the small hours, Southampton has the right venue. From intimate lounge bars and roof terraces to Leisure World, which houses a casino, bowling alley, several restaurants and bars, a 13-screen cinema and two nightclubs, there is something for everyone. Historic Oxford Street is home to Southampton’s finest restaurants, but wherever you are in the city you will be spoiled for choice, with restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines from across the

globe and catering for every budget. In the city centre you will also find West Quay, one of the south coast’s top shopping centres. Whatever your musical tastes there are great venues in Southampton for live music. The Joiners, for example, is known for up-and-coming bands – Coldplay, Oasis and Radiohead all played there before they were famous. The Guildhall is a multi-purpose venue that stages jazz and rock as well as a range of contemporary and classical music.

A connected cityJust over an hour from central London, Southampton has excellent transport links with the rest of the UK and internationally, by road, rail, sea and air. The city is serviced by two mainline train stations, with direct trains to London Waterloo and within easy reach of the Eurostar at St Pancras International. Southampton Airport offers regular flights to UK and major European destinations. Our own award-winning uni-link bus service connects all Southampton campuses and halls of residence, the city centre, the airport and both railway stations.

Less than half an hour from Southampton is the New Forest National Park, with vast open heathland and beautiful forest. The resorts of Bournemouth and Poole are just down the coast, while a short ferry ride

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Southampton offers a vibrant mix of recreation, culture and entertainment

takes you to the Isle of Wight, which hosts Skandia Cowes Week, the largest and most prestigious international sailing regatta in the world.

A historic citySouthampton has a fascinating history. It was from here in 1415 that Henry V set sail for Agincourt. The Pilgrim Fathers first set sail from here in 1620 on their historic journey to the New World, and the ill-fated Titanic sailed from Southampton in 1912.

Southampton has a rich aviation heritage, with the Spitfire, the fighter aircraft that won the Battle of Britain, developed in the region in the 1930s. As well as an area of outstanding natural beauty, the New Forest has a fascinating history. Created in 1079 by William the Conqueror as an area for hunting deer, it became an important source of timber for the Royal Navy. Today the forest retains many historical rural practices, such as pasturing of ponies, cattle, pigs and donkeys in the open forest by local inhabitants, known historically as the ‘commoners’.

A modern cityToday, Southampton has one of the biggest commercial ports in Europe, and the city is known across the world as the home of the giant cruise liners, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

Southampton’s thriving port handles in excess of 42 million tonnes of cargo annually. It is the cruise industry capital of northern Europe and is engaged in sustained and continued city centre development that continually strives to improve its already enviable facilities.

Its coastal location means that Southampton offers a vast range of opportunities for sport and leisure, with waterfront marinas and a major focus on water sports, sailing and ocean racing. The city hosts the largest on-water boat show in Europe – the annual Southampton Boat Show.

WinchesterThe historic city of Winchester – England’s ancient capital – is just 12 miles north of Southampton, and is home to the University’s internationally renowned Winchester School of Art. Popular for its bustling shopping streets and spectacular architecture, Winchester is perhaps best known for its 11th century cathedral and the Great Hall, which houses the mysterious Round Table of King Arthur. The city’s rich cultural heritage is complemented by a lively atmosphere and a wide variety of pubs and restaurants, museums, theatres and galleries.

3636Highfield Campus

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Visiting the UniversityIf you would like to visit the University before applying, we run open days every year in July and September. These events provide an opportunity to find out more about the University and meet staff and students.

For details visit www.southampton.ac.uk/visit

Geography visitsIf you receive an offer, you will usually be invited to attend a Geography Visit Day. These provide an opportunity to learn more about our programmes and the learning environment here at Southampton.

The schedule consists of illustrated lectures, an opportunity to meet academic staff and students, and an optional tour of a hall of residence.

Geography and Environment University of Southampton Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 3760 Email:[email protected] www.southampton.ac.uk/geography

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How to get hereBy roadSouthampton M3 – exit M3 at junction 14, following signs for Southampton (A33). Follow the A33 into Bassett Avenue and follow map/signs to University campuses.

M27 (west or east) – leave M27 at junction 5 (Southampton Airport) and follow map/signs to University campuses.

Winchester M3 – exit M3 at junction 9 or 10.

By railFast trains from London and Bournemouth/Weymouth stop at Winchester, Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway. Trains from Portsmouth and Bristol/ South Wales stop at Southampton Central. The uni-link U1 bus service runs between Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway via the University.

By coachSouthampton coach station is at Western Esplanade, in the city centre. uni-link U1 buses connect the University’s Southampton campuses and the city centre.

By airSouthampton Airport is about 20 minutes from the Southampton campuses by bus or taxi. There is a full UK domestic service, as well as flights to mainland Europe and the Channel Islands.

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Relevant web links are shown throughout the Geography and Environment undergraduate prospectus. Please also consult www.southampton.ac.uk/geography online for further details and/or any changes which have appeared since first publication of the Geography and Environment undergraduate prospectus or phone +44 (0) 23 8059 3760 for more information.

DisclaimerThe University of Southampton will use all reasonable efforts to deliver advertised programmes and other services and facilities in accordance with the descriptions set out in its prospectuses, student handbooks, welcome guides and website. It will provide students with the tuition, learning support, services and facilities so described with reasonable care and skill.

The University, therefore, reserves the right if it considers it to be necessary to alter the timetable, location, content or method of delivery of events provided such alterations are reasonable.

Financial or other lossesThe University will not be held liable for any direct or indirect financial or other losses or damage arising from changes made to the event timetable, location, content or method of delivery of various services and facilities set out herein.

Force majeureThe University will not be held liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from any delay, variation or failure in the provision of services and facilities set out herein, arising from circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control, including (but not limited to) war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, interruption in power supplies or other services for any reason, fire, boycott and telecommunications failure.

In the event that such circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the University arise, it will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise disruption as far as it is practical to do so.

© University of Southampton 2012This information can be made available, on request, in alternative formats such as electronic, large print, Braille or audio tape, and in some cases, other languages. Please call +44 (0)23 8059 7726 to request an alternative format.

www.southampton.ac.uk/geography UK and EU enquiries: [email protected] +44 (0) 23 8059 3760

International (non-EU) enquiries: [email protected] +44 (0) 23 8059 9699