BSc Geography with Foundation Year
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Geography with Foundation Year, a geography degree centred on human and physical environments, spatial analysis, and sustainability. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Project Management, and Historical Research. The course begins with a foundation year at the Carlisle Fusehill Street campus before transitioning to the Ambleside campus located within the Lake District National Park. The first year introduces foundational academic skills, basic biology, scientific investigation principles, and environmental sciences. The second year establishes core themes through modules such as Global Challenges, Geographical Techniques, People and Place, and The Earth System. The third year advances methodologies via Research Design, Valuing the Environment, Environmental Change: Past Present Future, and Geographical Information Systems, alongside optional studies in areas like catchment processes and rural economies. The final year involves advanced investigation supported by compulsory modules including Dissertation, Researching Environmental Change: Field-course, and Science and Politics of Climate Change. Optional modules allow students to focus on areas such as cultural geographies, upland resource management, cold environments, and advanced GIS, culminating in independent research projects.
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Entry requirements
48 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table . GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science at grade 4/C or above. Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths and Adult Literacy and Numeracy are also accepted. A full list of acceptable level 2 qualifications can be found here: Level 2 Acceptable Entry Requirements . GCSEs: English, Maths and Science at C/4 or above. A-levels: A – must have studied Geography or Environmental Science at level 3. T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course. Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass – Environmental Science based. Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points to include Geography or Environmental Science. Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points to include Geography or Environmental Science. Selection criteria: As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Forensic Science. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained. The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 81%
- Organisation and management: 60%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 41%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 11%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 3%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 7%
- Wales: 8%
- Scotland: 4%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Essential University Skills 1
- Essential Biology
- Scientific Investigation
- Essential University Skills 2
- Environmental Sciences
- Dynamic Earth
- Global Challenges
- Geographical Techniques
- People and Place
- Environment and Resources
- The Earth System
- Ecological Knowledge, Interactions and Change
- Research Design
- Valuing the Environment
- Environmental Change: Past Present Future
- Geographical Information Systems
- The Catchment: Summit to Sea
- Culture, Identity and Place
- Rural Economy and Society
- Habitats and Ecosystems
- Dissertation
- Researching Environmental Change: Field-course
- Science and Politics of Climate Change
- Creative Cultural Geographies
- Upland Resource Management
- Cold Environments
- Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
- Aquatic and Catchment Resource Management
- Contemporary Global Conservation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Geography with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria earn?
The median salary is £19,000 after 3 years, £24,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £28,000. The £24,500 median after five years is £7,500 less than the UK median for Physical geographical sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Geography with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Geography with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
80% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BSc Geography with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
The average entrant had 106 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Geography with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.