BSc (Hons) Geography (Physical) with Foundation Year · Keele UniversityBachelor's degree · 4 years
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Keele University · Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Geography (Physical) with Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at Keele University

BSc (Hons) Geography (Physical) with Foundation Year at Keele University integrates core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.

BSc (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Study Earth’s processes and systems, tackle real-world problems and gain practical skills on our Geography (Physical) BSc at Keele University. Learn more. From the provider’s course page.

BSc (Hons) Geography (Physical) with Foundation Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Keele University. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.

For Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Environmental Science, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

8.7
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent90

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90

Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent80

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 80% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

  • Academic, Professional and Field SkillsCompulsory
    Module details

    This module will introduce you to the essential skills required of Geographers, Geologists and Environmental Scientists. To introduce these skills to you we will explore our 'living lab' campus and take you on a series of four, one-day field courses in Staffordshire. The module will help you develop your own academic and professional practice, providing you with the foundations for not only completing your degree successfully, but also helping you think about future study or employment.

  • Environment and SustainabilityCompulsory
    Module details

    Understanding and managing environmental issues, from global to local scales, requires multiple disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches for effective action. We will evaluate some of the main environmental, ecological, and sustainability problems that society faces and how can we address them, and develop reflective practice skills to support learning.

  • Human and Physical Geographies for a Changing WorldCompulsory
    Module details

    This module explores the heart of Geography, connecting Human and Physical topics to help you achieve a detailed understanding of our increasingly complex world. Geography is an integrative subject, and we combine the study of landscape, climate change, and natural hazards with topics such as social exclusion, modernization, identity politics and (counter-) urbanisation. Putting this material in the context of big ideas like scientific uncertainty and Geography's colonial framing, the module pro

  • Roots and Futures: exploring sustainable placesCompulsory
    Module details

    In this module you will explore sustainability within the region, with a particular focus on Staffordshire (Keele's local area). Topics include environmental issues, renewable energy and community conservation efforts. You will examine regional case studies, engage with local sustainability initiatives and learn about how these activities build on the regions rich geology, geography and history. Through interactive learning on and off campus, you will develop your knowledge of sustainability pra

  • Conservation Policy and PracticeOptional
    Module details

    Whether it is natural resource depletion, changing climate, protecting wilderness, saving endangered species, or living during a pandemic, we worry about the impacts society has on nature and vice versa. Conservation practices have emerged to safeguard the parts of the natural world we particularly value. However, our ideas about nature are often multiple and contradictory; and discussions about our duties to nature often disguise deeper claims about economic benefits and social equity. This mod

  • Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment: Methods and Research DesignCompulsory
    Module details

    Enhance your employability with this hands-on module. You will acquire the specialist field, laboratory, social survey and computer-based research skills required to work in the environmental sector. You will acquire these skills by completing an Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment on Keele campus. By completing the module, you will also gain the research, fieldwork and data analysis skills required to conduct your third-year research project.

  • Lake District Field CourseCompulsory
    Module details

    The Lake District course provides you with hands-on experience in one of the UK's most iconic landscapes. This module involves a weeklong residential, intensive field study focusing on the region's unique physical geography, ecology, culture and built environment. You will conduct various fieldwork activities, including data collection, environmental analysis, and ethnographic observation. This immersive experience enhances practical skills in geographical and environmental research and fosters

  • Geographic Information Science and Remote SensingCompulsory
    Module details

    Literally, the term geography means Earth-writing and this module examines the diverse manners of representation of the human and physical worlds. We will explore the ways in which these have changed as geography has evolved as a discipline as well as the diverse methods used by geographers to represent the world. Particular attention will be paid to Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and spatial data analysis. The module will provide powerful analytical and mapping skills th

  • Earth's Changing LandscapesCompulsory
    Module details

    Glaciers, volcanoes, coastal erosion, floods... studying Earth's spectacular landscapes is increasingly significant in the context of climate change and its impacts on human and physical environments. Landscapes tell us about Earth's past, but also help us face the future as we battle natural hazards such as landslides and work to safeguard resources such as fresh water. This module explores Geomorphology, the science of landscapes, using a global range of examples supported by student-led analy

  • Water in the EnvironmentCompulsory
    Module details

    In this module you will explore key concepts and processes relating to water within the context of different Earth systems. You will learn about the need for responsible and sustainable use of our global water resources, and how to manage water in the environment to this affect. You will develop skills in presenting, interpreting and analysing numerical data through working with real-time data from, for example, the global ARGO network and the Environment Agency.

  • Palaeoclimatology and Quaternary StudiesOptional
    Module details

    This module will focus on the study of Quaternary deposits and how they can be interpreted to understand the processes that caused their formation, as well as understanding them as indicators of palaeoenvironmental conditions. The module will also cover the occurrence, evidence for and possible causes of climate change over geological time. A field excursion will be included to provide an understanding of how surface processes have affected landscape development during the Quaternary and to cove

  • Geoethics and Environmental JusticeOptional
    Module details

    In this module you will investigate the ethical dimensions of geosciences and their impact on environmental justice. Topics include principles of geoethics, the role of geoscientists and geographers in society, and the ethical challenges in resource extraction and management. The module addresses environmental justice issues, focusing on the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, the rights of indigenous and marginalized communities, and the development of sustainable practices. Cas

  • Human Impact on the EnvironmentOptional
    Module details

    Humans impact processes, conditions and components of our planet and biosphere on global, regional and local scales. Scientific understanding is key to managing these for better environmental and human well-being. You will explore issues from climate change and circular economy futures to pollution, biodiversity loss, and ocean health concerns. By the end of the module, you will be able to articulate the context of human impacts and evaluate the scientific evidence for potential solutions.

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

Who it's for

This course suits students with A-level qualifications or equivalent who are interested in understanding Earth systems, environmental processes, and landscape dynamics. The foundation year is designed for those who want additional preparation before starting their main degree. You should be curious about how physical geography applies to real-world environmental challenges and willing to engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical fieldwork.

University & format

This is a full-time Bachelor's degree (BSc with Honours) taught in English at Keele University, a university founded in 1949. The course runs for 4 years. It is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body and holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Most accepted students have held A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically with a UCAS tariff between 64 and 79 points.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
88%
Learning opportunities
87%
Assessment and feedback
91%
Academic Support
100%
Organisation and management
81%
Learning resources
91%
Student voice
89%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Contextual offersPublished by this provider

Contextual Offer Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.

PlacementPublished placement option

Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysOpen Days

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent100% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 64 - 79 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Keele University's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent100%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesDDDA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeF801quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F801). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Keele University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at Keele University →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 4 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Keele University funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Environmental Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£27,000£25,000 – £30,00020
3 years after£24,000£21,000 – £28,500165
5 years after£29,000£25,500 – £36,000175

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

90%
in work or further study 15 months on
80%
in highly skilled work or study
80%
continue past their first year
95%
find their work meaningful
90%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in environmental science · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Environmental Science nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£27,000
£24,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£24,000
£21,250 – £30,000
After 5 years LEO
£29,000
£26,350 – £37,200
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £20,000 – £38,500

National figures for Environmental Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

90 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

75% working10% working and studying10% in further study80% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Environmental Science courses at the same study level.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
  • Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction ProfessionalsSOC 2020 245 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,972
  • Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
  • Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
  • Conservation and environment professionalsSOC 2020 215 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,520

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 35; response rate: 75%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Environmental Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Environmental Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
65%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Environmental Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Environmental consultancies
  • Environment Agency
  • Energy & utilities
  • NGOs & local authorities

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.7 out of 10: NSS 89.6% · in work or study 90% · continued 80%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Keele University

All students13,680
International8.5%
Aged 25+29%

Geography, earth and environmental studies (social sciences) across the UK

Students11,970
Aged 25+17.6%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Keele University

88 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 35Anti Social Behaviour 18Burglary 9Public Order 8Other Theft 5

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Environmental Science right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Keele University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by Keele University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Keele University’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Keele University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 64 - 79 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Keele University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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