Overview

    A foundation year helps you develop the study skills and self-confidence needed for higher education when you don’t reach the entry requirements for your subject.

    Examine the Earth’s rapidly changing landscapes with a dynamic and multi-disciplinary Geography degree from Canterbury Christ Church University. Study Geography to grasp the connection between the social and natural sciences and interact with innovative research.

    Guided by the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals, you’ll explore prominent issues that affect the global population. From climate change and global inequalities to economic development and biodiversity, studying Geography will readily prepare you for a variety of sectors.

    Explore new landscapes and immerse yourself in local cultures through our range of field trips. Previous trips have included India, Iceland, and Malta.

    Whilst studying Geography at CCCU, you’ll increase your confidence in the laboratory as you’ll develop a wide range of lab skills to complement your geographical knowledge and field techniques.

    At CCCU, you’ll also be able to get involved with current research that our lecturers undertake. There are currently multiple projects that you can work on, including the reintroduction of bison in Kent; the use of geographical evidence in forensic investigation; and using invasive mussels as a sustainable method to clean polluted rivers.

    Over four years, you will develop the skills to collect, manipulate, analyse, map, visualise and communicate geographical phenomena independently as you research topics of your own choice, often with specific employment goals in mind.

    91% of our Geography students were satisfied with their course. National Student Survey 2022

    In our fantastic new facilities, you will address the major issues facing humankind today – from global warming, scarce resources and biodiversity to overpopulation, hazard risks and globalisation.

    Naomi Rintoul-Hynes, Course Director

    Entry requirements

    Qualification type

    Grades

    A Levels

    DDE

    BTEC

    MPP

    Access

    Pass 45 Credits

    International Baccalaureate

    TBC

    Combinations

    A combination of qualifications totalling 64 UCAS points minimum

    Applicants without formal level 3 qualifications will also be considered.

    Find out more information about entry requirements.

    International students

    Find out about IELTS requirements. Depending which country you're from, there may be specific entry requirements. Check your country to see if this is applicable to you.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements for this course, please contact our Course Enquiry Team.

    64
    UCAS Points

    Module information

    As well as the core modules, you may also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules in your second and third year. Option modules will not be pre-selected for you. We provide examples of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. The offer of an option will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module to ensure the appropriate student experience. The offer of option modules may also be affected by staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular optional module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.

    Core/optional modules

    How you’ll learn

    You will be taught through a combination of workshops, field visits and trips, laboratory practicals and seminars.

    Workshops will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will meet with your Personal Academic Tutor at least once each semester, but you are encouraged to arrange additional meetings as required.

    You will use industry-standard software. You will also have access to specialist facilities and equipment throughout your course.

    In the final year, you will conduct an independent research project that can cater to your particular interests and skills development. You will be supervised by a member of our academic team and guided in undertaking independent research, data analysis and presentation of your results. Depending on the topic of your project, you may also have the opportunity to collaborate with an industry partner on an industry-relevant research project.

    Your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select.

    91% of our Geography students were satisfied with the learning opportunities on their course. National Student Survey 2022

    When not attending workshops, practical sessions, or other timetabled activities you will continue learning through self-study that will be structured for you by the module leader for each module. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, engaging with online learning materials (videos, quizzes etc.), undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops, and seminars.

    Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.

    For the Honours Project module in the final year you will undertake independent research. You will work under the supervision of a member of our academic team, with support of other members of the teaching team where necessary. You will meet with your supervisor regularly.

    The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience.

    All our team members hold doctoral and teaching qualifications. They are research-active. They have experience in delivering research-informed teaching.

    Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.

    Teaching is at the heart of what we do and this is reflected in the number of contact hours we offer students, especially for practical skills development.

    Dr Chris HarveySection Director of Natural and Applied Sciences
    100%
    of our recent graduates agreed that the course is intellectually stimulating and provided them with opportunities to apply what they have learnt
    National Student Survey 2022

    How you’ll be assessed

    The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.

    There is also a formal or 'summative' assessment element for each of the modules. Assessment methods a range of coursework assessments such as laboratory reports, literature reviews, skills assessments, presentations, and your final year major project. Some modules also have a formally assessed exam. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

    Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

    The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.

    Typically, there will be two coursework assessments weighted at 50% each a practical skills portfolio. Some modules from Level 5 will have an exam that replaces the 50% piece of coursework.

    Feedback

    You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module leader or personal academic tutor.

    We aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of hand-in (formal coursework assessment).

    Your future career

    Our recent graduates have gone on to a wide range of exciting and satisfying careers, such as GIS landscape technician, urban planning officer, wildlife foundation fundraiser, flood risk technician, environmental health officer, secondary teacher and sustainability consultant.

    The CCCU Geography course provides a huge variety of geographical coverage right from the first semester; with field trips based in Kent, Tenerife and Malta all providing fantastic opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve been taught. Additionally, the freedom to explore numerous areas of geography - whether it be biodiversity, natural hazards, glacial landforms or tourism accessibility - ensures the course caters for all interests.

    Ben StainesAviation operations

    Fees

    The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:

      UK Overseas
    Full-time - Foundation Year 0 £9,535 £15,500
    Full-time - years 1-3 £9,535 £15,500

    Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.

    The tuition fees relate to 2025/26 only. Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.

    Home (UK) Fees

    Home (UK) tuition fees for Foundation Years at Canterbury Christ Church University will be set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for foundation years in classroom-based subjects or non-classroom based subjects, as set by the UK Government.

    Home (UK) tuition fees for subsequent years 1-3 are currently set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for standard undergraduate degrees set by the UK Government.

    The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 onwards, our undergraduate home tuition fees for subsequent years of study are expected to be £9,535.

    Overseas/International Fees

    Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government. 

    Apply now

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    Duration:

    4 years

    UCAS code:

    L701

    Location(s):

    Canterbury
    Apply via UCAS