Physical Geography and Geology (BSc)

Applicants come from a diverse range of backgrounds and we accept a broad range of qualifications. Special consideration will be given to mature applicants, and we are happy to consider applicants with other qualifications, including QAA-approved Access to HE courses.

Students from overseas should visit the International| pages for further information on the entry requirements from their country and English language requirements.  Royal Holloway International offers an International Foundation Programme and English language pre-sessional courses, allowing students the opportunity to develop their study skills and English language before starting their undergraduate degree.

We make decisions based on achieved or predicted grades, personal statements and references. More information on how your application will be assessed, and tips for your personal statement can be found on our Applying| pages.

 

• Outstanding, state-of-the-art facilities for physical geography study, and some of the most modern research amenities of any department in the country. 
• The Geography Department is consistently ranked highly and many members of academic staff are acknowledged as international experts in their field.
• Our tutorial system supports your academic and pastoral needs.
• Fieldwork is a vital part of geography degrees at Royal Holloway. All students will have a chance to experience and learn about different geographical environments in both the UK and overseas.
• Choose from a wide range of optional course units, so that you can build the study content that matches your interests.

The course covers a wide range of physical geography and geology topics, including a first year foundation in surface and subsurface processes. Optional course units in the second and third years will enable you to develop your interests in particular aspects of the earth sciences. In the final year all students also do a 10,000 word research dissertation, which may be based in either department.

A personal tutor will work with you in providing guidance and support throughout your three years and a member of staff will act as your dissertation advisor to provide support throughout the research and writing-up process.

Throughout the course, you will:

• understand how the earth system functions at a range of levels
• develop an up to date knowledge of physical geography and geology, investigating key linkages, themes and debates
• be taught by, and have access to national and internationally renowned staff in both departments
• develop key skills in the laboratory and field, and learn how to investigate a range of geographical and geological problems
• develop a range of important transferable skills.

All undergraduate degree courses at Royal Holloway are based on the course unit system. This system provides an effective and flexible approach to study, while ensuring that our degrees have a coherent and developmental structure. In the case of combined degree courses, this approach also makes it possible to change the balance of your subjects during your time at Royal Holloway.

The websites of the Department of Geography| and the Department of Earth Sciences| give detailed lists of the course units taken for each different degree.

The course has a modular structure, whereby students take four course units per year, typically two units in each department. Some course units are compulsory while others are elective thereby offering flexibility and choice.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the course units you choose to take. In the final year, you will write a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice which you will research and write with individual guidance from your tutor. The first year is foundational and marks do not count towards your final degree. The second year and final year marks do count, with more importance being given to the final year marks in order to reward progress and achievement.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and small seminar groups, tutorials and practical workshops. The department has a substantial and varied programme of field training and laboratory work, giving you the opportunityto apply your skills and knowledge in a practical setting. Private study and preparation are essential parts of every course, and you will have access to many online resources including the University’s comprehensive e-learning facility, Moodle, which provides a wide range of supporting materials.

We use a range of assessment models to suit different learning styles, from fieldwork exercises and reports, individual and group presentations to coursework essays and examinations.  In your final year you will have the opportunity to write a research-led dissertation.

In your Geology modules, you'll find that teaching and learning is mostly by means of practical classes, which comprise 60 per cent of the timetabled study time. Lectures are used to introduce material and provide a context for private study. Tutorials supplement and reinforce knowledge and understanding. Field and laboratory project work carried out as individuals or in teams are valuable opportunities for students to develop in-depth knowledge of specialist areas and help bring the syllabus to life.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the chosen course units. Coursework can include literature research reports, fieldwork and laboratory exercises and reports, oral presentations and independent dissertations. In the final year, you will produce an independent geological map and write a research report with individual guidance from your tutor. The first year is foundational and marks do not count towards your final degree. The second year, optional year abroad and final year marks do count, with the final year marks being more heavily weighted in order to reward progress and achievement.

 

Studying Geography at Royal Holloway enables you to develop a unique skillset. You will develop a range of skills including communication through writing essays, project and laboratory reports, teamwork through regular field trips, analytical skills in the lab and technical expertise using specialist computing applications.

The Geography department is within the top ten UK Geography departments for employability|. The strong and flexible range of skills you will develop will help you stand out in the labour market. From environmental scientists, landscape architects, to international development consultants, our graduates have also gone into roles such as lawyers, business analysts, bankers, press officers, pilots and teachers. 

Geology graduates are highly employable and, in recent years, have entered many different geology-related roles including positions as geoscientists with various extractive and renewable energy companies and with environmental consultancies. All of our degrees are also accredited by the Geological Society towards Chartered Geologist Status. The research, communication, analysis and IT skills you will gain from this rigorous degree will make you a good candidate for a wide range of careers.| You will also gain laboratory and fieldwork skills, which, alongside extra study, will provide you with the perfect foundation to develop a career in Scientific research.

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