Study Geography and graduate with a university degree

Geography is the integrated study of the world, its landscapes, places, people and their relationship with the environment. Geography seeks to make sense of the world we live in and is unique in bridging the environmental and social sciences.

While Physical Geography and Human Geography are disciplines in their own right, Environmental Geography combines these subjects to provide a much-needed capability to study and understand interactions between people, and between people and the environments in which they live. Environmental Geographers have expert knowledge and skills to research, analyse and communicate how the changing environment affects our lives. Their ability to visualise geographical issues at different spatial scales, from global to local and to offer solutions to some of our most pressing environmental problems, ensures that graduates in Environmental Geography are highly sought after by a wide range of employers.

Year 1

Highers BBBB.
A-levels BBC.
IB Diploma with a total of 32 points.
HNC or HND with Bs in graded units.
Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.

Year 2

A-levels or Advanced Highers ABB to include one of Geography/Geology/Environmental Science and Biology (only in single Environmental Geography degree).
General entrance requirements apply.

International students can study our Undergraduate Certificate if they do not possess the necessary entrance requirements to be admitted directly to the first year of an undergraduate degree course.

Other information

If examinations are taken over two sittings, or there are repeats or upgrades, the entrance requirements may be higher.

Required subjects

English Standard Grade (2), GCSE (C). For Education options' required subjects, see Primary Education and Secondary Education. English Standard Grade (3) will also be considered, although alternative entry conditions may be made in this case.

One of Geology, Geography, Environmental Science/ Studies, Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics Higher (B), A-level (C), IB Higher Level at 4 or equivalent; HNC/HND in relevant subject.

Other qualifications not mentioned above must include science-based subjects.

Mathematics Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent. Standard Grade (3) considered on an individual basis.

information on possible sources of funding

Full-time (three modules per semester).
Part-time (one or two modules per semester).

Environmental Geography is an integrated four-year degree course that provides you with training across the spectrum of the subject.Environmental Geography and Education provides graduates with a teaching qualification in Geography (and Modern Studies) as recognised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

This qualification is achieved within four years compared to the normal five-year route if you were to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) following on from an Honours degree.

Environmental Geography

Semesters 1 – 5

You will take the following core modules:

• People and the Environment
• Global Environmental Issues
• Building Planet Earth (Geology)
  
• Landscape Evolution (Geomorphology)
  
• Ecology
  
• Biosphere
• Statistical Techniques
• Advanced Analytical Techniques

You will choose from a wide range of modules including:

• Politics of the British Isles
• Environmental History
• Economics (Micro and Macro)
  
• Social Differentiation; Social Problems
• Environmental Policy and Management

Semesters 6 - 8

Year 1

• Building Planet Earth
• People and the environment
• Landscape Evolution
• Global Environmental Issues
  

Year 2

• Ecology
• Aviemore Field Course
• Environmental History
• Statistical Techniques
  

Year 3

• Environmental Policy and Management
• Advanced Analytical Techniques
• Residential fieldtrip to eitherSpain or Iceland
• Choice of modules from Semester 5-8 options
  

Year 4

• Honours Dissertation Project
• Environmental Geography Review Essay
• Choice of modules from Semester 5-8 options
  

Semester 5-8 options

• Environmental Policy and Management
• Environmental Hazards
• Environmental Economics
• Drainage Basins
• Sustainable Energy
• Sustainable Water Management 
• Sustainable Development
• Green Politics
• Soils, Sediments and Landscape History
• Agriculture and Food Security in the 21st Century
• Geographical Information Systems
• Remote Sensing
• Soil Quality and Protection
• Conservation Management
• Restoration Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Palaeoecology
• Glaciers and Landscapes

At all levels of the degree we emphasise practical local field studies. There’s a range of natural environments around Stirling, plus easy access to major urban and industrial centres, new towns and rural settlements. Assessment balances coursework and examinations.

Environmental Science, Environmental Science and Outdoor Education; Education (Primary); Education (Secondary).

Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES) within the School of Natural Sciences is a multi-disciplinary department that participates in research and teaching in a broad range of subjects in the biological and environmental sciences.  The principle focus of the research is at the interface between the environment and society. Within BES, staff conduct research in areas as diverse as the reconstruction of past landscapes; conservation, environmental impact assessment and environmental management; evolutionary ecology of plants and animals; and cellular biology and immunology.  BES is a friendly, vibrant, and dynamic place in which to learn and research with a great sense of belonging engendered in our students from their very first days at the University.

Research-led teaching is the key to deep learning and understanding.  The academic staff in Biological and Environmental Sciences at Stirling are typically world leaders in their respective fields, thus ensuring that research-led teaching is at the core of all of our courses.  Many students work closely with academics throughout their time and benefit from actively participating in research programmes. We have strong contacts with external conservation and environmental organisations who also contribute to the undergraduate experience.  This approach ensures that our students appreciate the transferable nature of a science degree and see how their learning can be applied to the real world.

As well as the exchange opportunities available to all Stirling students, Environmental Geography has well established course links with the University of Guelph in Canada. Students may spend either one or two semesters during Year 3, studying courses equivalent to those taken at Stirling and have the opportunity to broaden your geographical and cultural experience.

Robert McCulloch  BA (Birmingham University) PhD (Aberdeen University) is an enthusiastic champion of geography and all things geographical at Stirling.  He is one of the UK’s leading experts investigating the landscape history of southern Patagonia.  His research has also taken him from the Shetland Islands, Scotland, to the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica.  In collaboration with international partners he has been involved in challenging field work in awesome environments to map glacial landforms and to sample sediment cores for laboratory analysis, This research focuses on the reconstruction of past glacial fluctuations and the changing patterns of vegetation to better understand the changing climate of the world and the impact of prehistoric people on the landscape we see today.

Rebecca Barclay, an Environmental Geographer at the University of Stirling, was awarded the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) University Medal for her achievements in her studies and in her research dissertation.  The award ceremony was held at the Perth Concert Hall, near the new RSGS Headquarters in Perth and the medals were presented by HRH The Princess Royal. 

Rebecca graduated with a 1st class Honours degree and completed an outstanding Honours research project focused on Viking farming settlements in the north-west of Iceland.  Her research formed a valuable part of ongoing research carried by Professor Ian Simpson in conjunction with Icelandic archaeologists. She is furthering her academic career by studying for a PhD.

Graduates enter a wide range of professions and are considered valuable recruits given the broad range of skills that they develop throughout the course. These include both Communication and Information, and Communications Technology (ICT) skills.

Geography provides a unique combination of subject specific and generic skills so that geographers can enter a diverse range of careers, including education. Geographers are attractive to employers because of their understanding of relationships between environment and people, their spatial awareness and their skills in areas such as field investigation, problem-solving, team working, communication and information technology.