MGeog Physical Geography Degree at the University of Lincoln
MGeog Physical Geography at University of Lincoln. Rather than treating physical systems in isolation, you'll study the connections between human societies and the landscapes, climates and ecosystems they inhabit.
About this course
At Lincoln, we believe that meeting these challenges requires a focus on the unity of geography to understand the links between humanity and the environments we inhabit - a theme that runs through our teaching and research. From the provider’s course page.
MGeog Physical Geography is a Degree (Degree) at the University of Lincoln, based in Lincoln Campus. 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, 65% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (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.
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)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (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.
First Year 6 modules
- Earth Observation & GISCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to teach students the fundamental theory and practical applications of Earth observation (remote sensing) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Geospatial technologies (involving remote sensing and GIS) have changed the way businesses and policymakers solve problems and the way scientists understand Earth system processes and hazards. These technologies are routinely used by people in their work and their daily life (e.g. via Google Earth). This module aims to intro
- Geographical Knowledge: Creation to ApplicationCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to introduce students to how geographical knowledge is created, developed, communicated, and applied to students' careers, and to local and global challenges. Students will engage with a series of weekly sessions that focus on key skills and knowledge that students will require throughout their degree. Students will be introduced to the tools required to search and evaluate academic literature relevant to their studies, the philosophical constructs around which geograph
- People, Places, Patterns and ProcessesCore
Module details
Certain forces are shaping the structure of human populations and societies in the 21st century. The aim of this module is to help students gain foundational understanding of these different forces as well as their effects on human population structure. Students will get an opportunity to explore different aspects of population dynamics across developed and developing societies. From this quantitative starting point, students will be progressed into qualitative exploration of different place ide
- Social & Environmental Justice: A Field PerspectiveCore
Module details
This module uses the "laboratory" of the local environment to study global issues related to social and environmental justice within the University's "local to global" remit. Local fieldwork introduces students to contemporary issues in the social and natural environment through in-depth studies. We visit three nearby environments: the urban, rural and coastal, and will study environmental hazards, social-economic geographies and ecosystem sustainability, as well as the interactions between thes
- Sustainable Environments & EcosystemsCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the links between ecosystems and human health. The module focuses heavily on the role of human activities in changing ecosystems, covering aspects of human impacts on ecosystems as well as policy and regulatory actions to improve and safeguard vital ecosystems. Impacts are assessed in terms of both human and wider environmental factors such as quality of life and access to safe and healthy resources as well as biodiversity, landscape assets and
- The Earth System: Processes & HazardsCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the general principles of physical geography for students with diverse backgrounds. Using a systems-based approach to physical geography, four environmental systems will be examined: geosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The final part of the module will consider the interactions between physical systems and also the causes and consequences of system change, such as climate change, over time and space. The occurrence and impac
Second Year 6 modules
- Climatology and Quaternary ScienceCore
Module details
This module will examine the environmental changes, particularly climate, at global, regional, and local scales of the past and present. Students will gain an understanding of these changes and processes that have implications for past, and present climate and environments. The first part of this module will cover climate and environmental change over the last 2.6 million years of Earth's history (Quaternary period). Students will gain knowledge in how natural variability can be distinguished fr
- Earth Observation, Modelling & Visualisation: Representing Reality & Understanding ChangeCore
Module details
The ability to model the behaviour of natural and human systems, and their interaction, is an increasingly vital tool in understanding both these systems and the consequence of changes such as population growth or climate change; it is therefore essential for assessing the safety and health of the inhabited Earth. This module uses lectures and computer practicals to introduce the numerical modelling of geographical processes and systems. The science and art of model formulation, construction, an
- Geographical Data Analysis MethodsCore
Module details
This module equips students with highly employable data analysis skills which they will use both in their studies and their careers beyond. Students will learn from a lectures series and accompanying practical classes. As part of the module students will deliver a project related to real-world geographical problems.
- Hazards & Society: Views from the FieldCore
Module details
Modern societal development has created new exposures and risks to such hazards that are not fully understood, or may be perceived in different ways – even within the same community. Such vulnerabilities are often only brought into view in the aftermath of a disaster, when losses of life, capital and livelihoods have already occurred, making it vital to assess the physical and social dimensions of hazards in order to increase preparedness. This module is focused around a field-week that will exp
- Human Impacts on the EnvironmentCore
Module details
This module uses the concepts surrounding environmental health to introduce students to a wide range of critical environmental issues facing the world today. Using a range of global and regional environmental problems, incorporating case studies on climate change, natural resources, land-use change and agriculture, pollution, degradat
- Physical Geography Theory and ResearchCore
Third Year 1 modules
- Biogeography & Planetary HealthOptional
Level 2 1 modules
- PlacementOptional
Modules 1 modules
- SoG International Study YearOptional
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.
What you'll study
At Lincoln, this course emphasises the unity of geography to understand the links between humanity and the environments we inhabit. You'll usually begin with Earth systems science, ecology fundamentals and environmental data mapping. Year 2 typically moves to climate change science and policy, pollution and environmental management, supported by residential fieldwork. In Year 3, a course like this normally offers specialist options such as climate science, conservation, GIS and remote sensing, environmental policy, and water and pollution studies. You'll usually undertake work-based learning on live environmental problems and complete an independent research project or dissertation that applies field or data methods to real-world questions.
Who it's for
You're drawn to understanding Earth's physical systems, how mountains form, how water moves through landscapes, how climate shapes life, but you're equally curious about why human choices matter to those systems. You think geographically: connecting the local to the global, the social to the natural. You're comfortable with quantitative analysis and fieldwork, but also interested in how knowledge is built and applied in the real world. You want depth and breadth: time to specialise in topics that grip you, alongside exposure to the broader discipline. You're prepared for sustained study at degree level.
Careers & job market
Across Environmental Science degrees nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Among those working, 65% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National earnings for Environmental Science graduates sit at £24,000–£30,000 starting out, £21,250–£30,000 after three years, and £26,350–£37,200 after five years. These figures reflect the breadth of careers available: research, environmental management, policy, education, and consultancy all employ graduates from this field.
University & format
The MGeog Physical Geography degree is studied full-time over 4 years at the University of Lincoln, a public university based at Lincoln Campus. Teaching is in English. The degree is a nationally recognised UK qualification and holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
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.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
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
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
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.
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.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F802). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write 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.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results 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.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Lincoln →For students who normally live in England
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.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
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.
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.
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
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,000 | £25,000 – £29,000 | 10 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in environmental science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Environmental Science nationally
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.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; 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 15-month median earnings compare with Environmental Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 560 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Conservation and environment professionalsSOC 2020 215 · 30% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,520
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
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: 50; response rate: 60%. 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.
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.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Environmental consultancies
- Environment Agency
- Energy & utilities
- NGOs & local authorities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Environmental Science graduates.
Environmental Science Graduate Leadership Scheme, HybridEnvironment AgencyRemote Environmental Science Evaluator – AI Output QAObsidianRemote Environmental Science Evaluator (Contract)MercorAssistant Professor: Ecology & Environmental Science and AISONICOMStrategic Leader, Environmental ScienceUK Research and Innovation (UKRI)Assistant Professor: Ecology, Evolution & Environmental ScienceImperial College LondonIs 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 £28,000. 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 8.5 out of 10: NSS 81.1% · in work or study 90% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Lincoln
Geography, earth and environmental studies (social sciences) across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Lincoln Campus
1,962 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
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 University of Lincoln from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Lincoln; 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 University of Lincoln’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 University of Lincoln and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Lincoln
Environmental Science at other universities
BA (Hons) English Studies and Climate ChangeAberystwyth UniversityBSc (Hons) Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year in industry)Aberystwyth UniversityBSc (Hons) Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year studying abroad)Aberystwyth UniversityBSc (Hons) Environmental Earth ScienceAberystwyth UniversityCommon questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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