Geography with International Relations, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Course summary

Discover the core principles of human geography while also exploring key international political and economic issues. In your geography modules you study the relationships between people, place and environment, while in International Relations the focus is on understanding the international political landscape. Gain knowledge and skills our supportive academic staff who are expert researchers in their field. Study abroad, international field trips and placement opportunities are available.Our geography degrees make the most of geography’s strengths in tackling head on the biggest global challenges we face. Modules have been designed to address many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – developed by the UN as the 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all' – all of our degrees are fully accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

• Our newly designed Geography curriculum places sustainability challenges at the centre, with modules designed to help address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

• Choose from an exciting range of human geography and international relations choice modules.

• Our supportive staff are expert researchers and many are world leaders in their field.

• Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support.

• Learn to use Geographical Information Systems to analyse and communicate complex spatial data.

• Take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programmes.

• Experience a valuable work placement programme, opening up a range of career opportunities such as consultancy, policy development and management, teaching, planning and conservation.

• LABplus is a unique open access laboratory and resource centre designed for students studying science and engineering courses. The lab provides a flexible workspace, computing facilities, specialist software, access to microscopes, microscope cameras and bespoke resources.

• We’re very proud of our National Student Survey (NSS) 2020 return which shows student satisfaction overall at 96 per cent for human geography.

• Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.

• In your first year, lectures, tutorials, practicals and local fieldwork introduce you to the key concepts and theories in human geography and international relations. You are given training in research techniques such as data analysis, statistics and fieldwork. You can also select an optional module from a range of disciplines.

• In your second year, an overseas fieldwork option may also be chosen with trips recently having run to the USA, Iceland, Portugal, Ireland and France. You also have the chance to study abroad (Europe, North America or Australia). Develop your knowledge further by choosing optional modules which explore many important themes of human geography such as nature and society, social and cultural geography, transport, travel and mobilities.

• This is your opportunity to spend a year working in industry to improve your knowledge of applied geography and gain invaluable work experience, leading to a Certificate of Work Experience. Our employability service will help you find a placement from our extensive network across all sectors.

• In your final year, you’ll write a dissertation on your choice of topic. You can also choose from geography and international relations optional modules, including: political geography, the competitive city, global environmental politics and economic development in developing economies.