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University of Plymouth
School of Geography

The University of Plymouth is one of the UK’s most prominent and dynamic modern universities. With over 30,000 students, almost 3,000 staff, and an income in excess of £110 million, the University is a major element in the economy of Southwest England. Consistently ranked as one of Britain’s top three modern universities, Plymouth’s vibrancy and friendly atmosphere, together with its strong record of excellence and innovation in teaching, research and enterprise activities, earned it top place in The Guardian 2007 league tables. A mark of Plymouth’s reputation for teaching innovation is its selection as one of the national pilots for two-year degrees.

Recent years have seen major investments in the development of the campus including the opening of facilities for the highly successful Peninsula Medical School and the construction of an award-winning new arts building, which is accessible by the wider community and was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the South West Regional Development Agency. Last year, the country’s first new dental school in over 40 years was opened in the University, and a further £23 million project will soon provide further facilities for the Medical School, the faculty of Health and Social Work, and for related science and technology disciplines.   

Committed to research into environmental sustainability, a new research institute has recently been established to support the wave hub project (wave energy for power generation) in Cornwall, and the University has also opened a Centre for Sustainable Transport.

Academic strengths

Established almost 35 years ago, Geography at Plymouth enjoys an international reputation for the quality of its courses and its teaching. The School comprises 32 enthusiastic staff who provide a first-class education for students who achieve high standards and go on to secure worthwhile and rewarding careers. In the world of Geography, the Plymouth School is recognised as a UK leader for teaching Geography. The Government has awarded two grants for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. We are privileged to work in an exceptionally beautiful location. Plymouth is set within an area of outstanding natural beauty. We enjoy some of the most glorious and spectacular countryside to be found anywhere in Europe. The coastline has ‘national heritage’ status on account of the importance and beauty of its natural features. The unique moorland landscapes of Dartmoor form one of the UK’s largest national parks. We are also within easy reach of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.

Undergraduate degrees

We offer courses that are equally attractive to students with a background in either the Arts or the Sciences, or a mixture of the two. Geography can be studied for a BA or a BSc as a single honours, a combined honours major, or a joint honours subject; or a combined honours minor subject.

Research degrees

During the past decade the School’s research community has grown rapidly. Post-doctoral fellows and postgraduate students currently number 25 and we also enjoy the association of several visiting research fellows who work in close liaison with members of staff. Each postgraduate student benefits by their link with one of the School’s four main research groupings:

Catchment and Coastal Environments
Quaternary Environments
Policy and Governance in Europe
International Studies and Development

Doctoral students in the School of Geography undertake individual original research under the direct supervision of a leading academic expert in their field. The School aims to develop its doctoral students as mature, professional geographers able to make significant contributions to the theory, practice and application of the discipline. There is a flourishing University-wide research student community in which Plymouth’s Geography postgraduates play a major part.

MSc/MA taught courses

If you are a graduate of Geography (or have a degree in a closely related science or social science subject) and you would like to continue with your studies by taking a one-year Masters degree course or a postgraduate diploma course, the University of Plymouth offers a choice of one-year taught postgraduate programmes that cater for a wide range of interests and career aspirations. The MSc/MRes degree in Sustainable Environmental Management and the MA in International Relations are Masters level courses for which Plymouth is particularly noted.

COURSES AVAILABLE

Undergraduate Courses

BA (Hons) Geography www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=14809
BSc (Hons) Geography www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=16135
BSc (Hons) Geography Combined www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=14812
BA (Hons) Geography Combined www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=16139
BA (Hons) Geography and Language www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=14814

Graduate Courses

MA/MSc taught courses www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=15046
MSc/Mres Sustainable Environmental Management www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=21928

Contact information

School of Geography
University of Plymouth
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 8AA
UK

General Enquiries
Tel: +44(0)1752 233053

Admissions
Tel: +44(0)1752 232864
Email: ssbadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk