Program Overview

Discover the natural environment in our exciting Study Abroad programme. With a strong emphasis on fieldwork, you’ll gain a wealth of knowledge and skills from our world-renowned lecturers.

Physical geography addresses the major components that make up the Earth system, such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere. Our Physical Geography degree has a strong emphasis on practical work. You will shape your degree from an extensive range of modules taught within a unique natural landscape.

Lancaster proves to be an exceptional location for studying physical geography. You will be able to explore some of the UK’s most unique areas of geographic interest and you will gain a wealth of experience with field trips to places such as the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbrian coast and Lake District. Our programme also allows you to explore international locations through field trips and your year abroad.

While studying at Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), you will have access to new teaching and research labs, computer systems and software and even our very own weather monitoring station. You will work in comfortable class sizes, giving you the opportunity to get to know your lecturers personally and benefit from their expert knowledge and helpful one-to-one advice.

First-year modules equip you with a well-rounded introduction to some of the key themes of physical geography. In addition to the Physical Geography modules, you will be given the opportunity to take two other subjects. LEC provides a range of subjects cognate to physical geography, including human geography, environmental science ecology and conservation. Subjects from outside LEC can also be taken.

In your second year, as well as taking core modules covering vital skills and knowledge, you will be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules, covering topics such as glacial and fluvial landscape processes and coastal processes.

There you will have the opportunity to learn about physical geography in a different climate and landscape context from that which we experience in the UK. You will also gain experience of living and studying in a different society and culture.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and complete your studies at Lancaster.

Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.

On return to Lancaster after your year abroad, in your fourth year, you will study at the Master’s degree level. This will provide you with an advanced level qualification, which will give you a competitive edge in the graduate jobs market by equipping you with advanced knowledge and skills. As part of this, you will carry out a dissertation project, guided by an academic adviser, which offers a chance to perform original geographical research on a topic of your choice