Geography (Hons) Heriot-Watt University

Overview

Geography (Hons) from Heriot-Watt University will interest you if you want to specialise in physical geography and related topics such as coasts, rivers, glacial geomorphology, and global quaternary environmental change. Overall, this degree will help you understand the world around you, how landscapes are shaped and how humans interact with their natural environment.  

You’ll consider questions such as: 

• How can we work with natural processes to become more resilient to natural hazards such as flooding and landslides? 
• How has the climate changed over time and how has that impacted sea level and vegetation cover? 
• How do geomorphology, ecology, and humans interact in marine and coastal environments? 

Our BSc (Hons) Geography combines theory and practical learning to create graduates equipped with the knowledge and skills for 21st century careers. Our industry links and cross-disciplinary learning style ensures our teaching is relevant in the real world, and you’ll experience what it is like to be a professional geographer working in practice. Throughout your studies, you’ll hear from guest practitioners from industry to gain insight into current approaches to solving challenges.  

You’ll be taught through courses relevant to 21st century global challenges on topics such as climate change, sustainability, hazards and risks, sea level rise, and sustainable development, and you’ll gain employability skills such as digital mapping through geographical information systems and collaborative group working.  

In years one and two, you’ll cover a broad range of fundamental courses on physical geography (earth systems, hydrology, and geomorphology), human geography (social, economic, and urban), transferable and geography-specific skills, and practical fieldwork. You’ll specialise on physical geography in the later years of the degree, studying the processes that shape the natural environment including rivers, coasts, glaciers, and tectonics. 

You will develop field skills in surveying, mapping, and site assessment alongside important analytical and research skills. Through this cross-disciplinary, industry focussed, and problem-based degree, you’ll acquire the skills needed to work in multi-disciplinary teams and solve real-world problems. You’ll become flexible and creative with the ability to apply your skills and knowledge to a range of careers.   

Your learning environment  

Our BSc (Hons) Geography is taught though a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, projects, laboratory practicals, and field trips which allow you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You’ll be assessed by a combination of examination and coursework.  

During your studies, you’ll benefit from and have access to our specialist equipment, computing software and laboratories, including a soil hydrology lab with a range of soil testing equipment, and a hydraulics lab with three tilting flumes and state of the art measurement capabilities.    

You’ll utilise landscapes within our own Edinburgh campus, which is set within 360 acres of beautiful parkland during your degree. You’ll also visit locations on our doorstep such as the Pentland Hills to think about geomorphology, Gullane sand dunes to collect your own data and the city of Edinburgh to observe how urban landscapes are used by people.   

There are also residential field trips within the United Kingdom and abroad to enjoy, currently including Glencoe in year one, Orkney in year two, and the Italian Alps in year three. These field trips provide opportunities for you to strengthen your practical skills in field survey, site observation, data collection, and analysis.  

Customise your learning 

You’ll take eight mandatory courses in year one to provide the foundations for further study. You can customise your learning in year two through taking six mandatory courses and choosing two optional courses. You can transfer between our geography degrees until the end of year two, allowing you time at university to make final decisions on your area of specialism. 

Year one will introduce you to all aspects of physical and human geography. You’ll also take a course designed to inspire awareness of the contribution of your discipline to tackling global challenges, and its connection to other disciplines. You’ll work in teams, learn to cope with complexity, and gain core study skills.  

In year two, you’ll be introduced to catchment hydrology, urban geography, surveying and geographical information systems, geomorphology, data collection and analysis tools, and explore global challenges through the sustainable development goals. Optional courses will range from biology, business and management, critical writing, employability and professional skills to Scottish studies, economics, and film and cultures.  

Year three will see you specialise in physical geography, enhancing your knowledge, understanding and skills in marine and coastal geography, river geomorphology, global environmental change, geographical information systems, biogeography, and theories and methods used in geographical research. You will take seven mandatory courses and can customise your learning through choosing one optional course from a range of courses including practical marine biology, geology, and soils.  

You’ll take six mandatory courses in year four and choose two optional courses. Mandatory courses include catchment flood management, spatial environmental data analysis, professional practice in physical geography, and monitoring and modelling of the environment. You’ll also complete your dissertation in semesters one and two. 

Industry  

We work closely with industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.