Skip to content Accessibility statement
Home>Study at York>Undergraduate>Courses 2025/26>Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year) (BA)

BA (Hons) Human Geography and Environment (with a placement year)

Training the next generation of human geographers to help create equitable places, communities, and environments.

Year of entry: 2025/26

UCAS code

L7F6

Institution code

Y50

Length

4 years full-time

Typical offer

AAB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2025 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£31,100 per year

Sign up for updates

Be the first to know when new on-campus events are announced.

Book your place

Discover the complex relationships between people, places, and environments.

Throughout the degree, you'll build essential skills, knowledge and abilities. These will help you to comprehend and address significant social and environmental issues. 

Insights from human geography and environmental studies have shaped the design of this course. You'll explore challenges and solutions to modern problems, such as:

  • inequalities in global development
  • how to achieve inclusive and sustainable change
  • creating sustainable food and transport systems
  • the challenges of moving to sustainable consumption

Accreditation

Our BSc and MEnv courses are accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences, in recognition of the quality of our teaching

Course content

You will study contemporary human geography and current environmental issues. You'll learn to use geographical concepts and skills to deliver solutions to global problems.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Year 1

The first year modules give you an introduction to the basics of the course, providing you with a foundation for advanced material in the future.

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

You will take a range of core modules to develop your knowledge of human geography and environment. You can then begin to tailor your degree to your own interests with a choice of option modules.

Core modules

Option modules

You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 3

Your placement year will start in June or July and will run for nine to twelve months. You'll be paid at a rate typical of the industry hosting the placement.

  • You'll have a supervisor in the department who will maintain links with you throughout the placement 
  • You'll write two 2000-word reflective reports on your experience
  • University fees are significantly reduced for the placement year

You'll be guided through the process of finding a placement by a dedicated member of staff. You'll be expected to perform well throughout the application process so that you secure the placement: helping you get practical experience that will be invaluable after graduation.

Placements can be found throughout industry, including environmental consultancy, government agencies, political bodies, construction, conservation and ecological charities (subject to availability).

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 4

You specialise further in the final year with your independent research project and a range of core and optional modules. 

Core modules

Option modules

You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Debate, interpret and explain local to global sustainability, development and environmental issues occurring on a range of scales using appropriate methods and norms, and engage critically with theory, knowledge and emerging issues in human geography [Knowledgeable and aware]
  • Obtain, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information on human geography and related areas from a wide range of reliable sources [Independent learner]
  • Cut across disciplinary boundaries to link knowledge and experience from a wide range of research areas to generate knowledge and understanding from experiences of the epistemologies of social statistics, development studies, human geography and environmental planning [Interdisciplinary thinker]
  • Plan, design and execute research as an individual or as part of a team using critically-selected methods including GIS, ethnography, social survey, focus groups, interviewing, observation, use of textual and archival sources [Creator of new knowledge]
  • Critically analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate tools to draw meaningful conclusions from research in the field of human geography [Analytical]
  • Effectively communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media [Effective communicator]
  • Recommend sustainable solutions to environmental problems that consider the broader social, political and environmental contexts, and the ethical implications of their application by applying knowledge, theories and approaches from social, political, economic and environmental disciplines [Problem solver]
  • Work responsibly as part of a team or as a team-leader to set challenging yet attainable goals and make an important contribution to understanding the impacts of global sustainability, development and environmental issues [Team player]

£12.5m facilities

Our superb state-of-the-art building contains purpose-built labs, lecture theatres and seminar rooms and features a spectacular living wall.

Committed to equality

We are proud to hold an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of the work we do to support gender equality.

Accreditation

Our BSc and MEnv courses are accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences, in recognition of the quality of our teaching.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £31,100

Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Additional costs

Field work is integral to your course and includes both residential and day trips. In year 1 and 2 there are core residential and day field trips. The travel and accommodation costs of these core trips are included in your student fees. Optional field trips are not paid for, and you will be asked to contribute to the cost of these. The destinations of our residential field trips change to meet the requirements of our students, acknowledge the pressing environmental challenges we face and meet our commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Teaching includes field-based learning, research-led teaching and a more traditional combination of lectures, tutorials, and seminars.

Practical work is a key feature, both in individual projects and in groups.

Field trips form an important part of your course, with excursions (residential and non-residential) each year.

You'll participate in residential field trips currently to Castleton and Whitby (Year 1) and the Netherlands (Year 2). In Year 3 there will be an optional UK-based field trip.

For the Placement Year, a dedicated member of staff will guide you through the process of finding a placement. You will be assigned a supervisor for your placement and be expected to contribute academic work based on your experience. Placements can be local, national or international.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures4-6 hours per week
Seminars1-2 hours per week
Workshops2-4 hours per week
Practicals2-4 hours per week
Field trips1 week

These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.

Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Environment and Geography which is based on Campus West. 

Each module will be assessed either by coursework, closed or open examination or a combination of both; where possible these will be real-world and solutions-based assessments.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

Each module will be assessed either by coursework, closed or open examination or a combination of both; where possible these will be practical and solutions-based assessments.

Coursework can include:

  • podcasts
  • policy briefings
  • practical write-ups
  • reports
  • reflective exercises
  • oral presentations
  • portfolios
  • essays

In your final year, you will complete an independent research project based on your interests and career aspirations.

Careers and skills

This course will equip you for roles tackling environmental issues at a local, national or international level. You will also develop transferable skills that can be used outside the geography and environment sector. Find out more about careers and employability.

Career opportunities

  • Environmental conservationist
  • Graduate policy analyst
  • Flood risk officer
  • Graduate environmental consultant
  • Environmental engineer
  • Energy analyst
  • International development worker

Example employers

  • Network Rail
  • Environment Agency
  • Anglian Water
  • Atkins
  • Department for International Development
  • WSP│Parsons Brinckerhoff Consultancy
  • Defra

Transferable skills

  • Project management 
  • Feasibility studies
  • Data analysis 
  • Research skills 
  • Time management

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

AAB including Geography

Access to Higher Education Diploma 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher including Geography-related units.
BTEC National Extended Diploma DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A level Geography or equivalent. If you are studying for the BTEC National Extended Diploma or a different combination of A levels and BTEC qualifications please contact us at ug-admissions@york.ac.uk for advice.
Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, M2 including Geography
European Baccalaureate 80% overall including Geography
International Baccalaureate 35 points including 6 in Geography at Higher level
T levels We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Geography has been taken.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Advanced Highers - B in Geography plus Scottish Highers - BBBB

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other qualifications We consider a wide range of academic and vocational qualifications as long as Geography is obtained at A level or equivalent and are happy to talk to you about your individual qualifications profile
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Additional requirements

You should also have GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent.

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers BBB including Geography.
More about contextual offers.
EPQ If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
Core Maths If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
Duolingo Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components
Other English language qualifications We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

All applications must be made through UCAS. Applicants who are offered a place are encouraged to attend one of the Departmental visit days during the Spring Term.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Learn more

Department of Environment and Geography

Discover York

Accommodation

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.

Student life

Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.

The city

Lively, full of culture and beautiful, York is regularly voted one of the best places to live and visit in the UK.

Meet us

Find out more about York. Chat to staff and students and take the tour, on campus or online.