This degree programme in the heart of London covers main branches of geography and offers a wide choice of modules; choose predominantly physical geography for BSc. Working and studying at the frontiers of research are considered essential components of a successful geography degree.
KEY BENEFITS
- One of the largest geography departments in the country, providing state-of-the-art modules in a wide range of disciplines.
- Amongst the best geography departments in the world, students are taught by staff who are acknowledged leaders in their fields.
- Recently refurbished accommodation offers state-of-the-art teaching and social facilities.
- Central location offers access to numerous libraries as well as the cultural and other facilities offered by one of the world's great cities.
- Graduates go on to have successful careers in a range of different sectors, including the financial services industries, non-governmental organisations, and research.
UCAS code
F800
Programme type
Single honours
Duration
Three years
Location
Strand Campus
Year of entry 2014
Offered by
School of Social Science and Public Policy
Department of Geography
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
Department of Geography
King's College London
Strand Campus
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
Email
Tel
020 7848 1403
Fax
020 7848 7200
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
This programme covers the main branches of geography whilst offering a wide choice of module options. The programme comprises a total of 360 credits taken over three years. Students registered for a BSc are expected to choose predominantly physical geography courses.
The third year includes a compulsory dissertation, known as the Independent Geographical Study (or IGS), which involves individual research. Students are always encouraged to undertake their own research, whether it is for coursework, practicals or the IGS. Working and studying at the frontiers of research are considered essential components of a successful geography degree.
ABOUT THE Department of Geography
CAREERS
Geography at degree level provides a broad education leading to a range of opportunities to pursue a career doing further research or finding employment in a range of sectors, from London’s financial services industries to non governmental organisations in areas such as development and environmental justice. The College’s Careers Service ensures that a very high percentage of graduates find suitable employment on leaving the programme. Recent graduates have found employment as…. • Account Executive, Mind Share • Analyst, GPM Trading Ltd • Company Director, a garden equipment company • Executive Risk Assessor, a risk management company • Marketing Internship, Jimmy Choo • Public Relations, Marriott Hotels • Research Assistant/Economics and Planning consultant, a consultancy company • Management Training Programme, network rail
TEACHING STYLE
One of the largest geography departments in the UK, we provide state-of-the-art BSc and BA Geography programmes taught by acknowledged leaders in their fields. We use a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials together with workshops, laboratory sessions and field trips to teach a very wide range of modules covering all areas of geography. This means that students are taught large volumes of information, yet have the opportunity to process, synthesize and discuss what they have been taught in small groups and one-to-one sessions with academic staff. Combinations of one-term and two-term modules are available with greater emphasis on optional modules as you progress through the degree.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Students take and pass 120 credits each year comprising 30 credit and 15 credit modules. After a set of core introductory modules in the first year, students have the opportunity to specialise by following research-rich pathways in human, physical, development and integrative geography. In the final year, all students undertake an independent geographical study which is research-based and for which they receive individual tutorial support from an expert in their field. Modules are assessed by a combination of examinations, coursework and presentations designed to make up a variety of assessment types. All students receive a dedicated personal tutor drawn from the faculty to advise and support them throughout their degree experience.
Undergraduate pathways
In the first year all students study the same modules but from year two you will specialise in one of five different pathways: Development Geography; Human Geography; Spatial Analysis and Technologies; Physical Geography; and Society Environment and Geography. Each pathway consists of specialist modules and field work. These pathways provide opportunities to follow your own specific interests in different fields of the subject. They also allow you to learn advanced analytical and technical skills that can be applied to understanding a range of real world issues. You will leave at the end with a defined set of skills, determined by your pathway and appropriate to specific careers where your learning is valued and used.
LOCATION
In 2006 the Department of Geography moved into extensively refurbished accommodation in the King’s Building on the Strand. This refurbishment programme has created a state-of-the-art environment for the Department’s teaching and research activities and the maximization of the student experience. Examples include high-level provision of lecture theatres, laboratories, computer suites and social facilities, all right in the centre of London.
London is our laboratory
London provides an unrivalled set of learning opportunities. We use London in many different ways to explore the physical and human geography of the city. The Field Activity week in year one is an opportunity to explore different facets of London’s geography and to try out some field work techniques. London is also the focus of several modules, ranging from its historical development to the challenges posed for the city by climate change. Field trips accompany these modules and several take place linked to specific modules in human geography. Our methods teaching in all years use geographical data relating to London as a way of learning new analytical and mapping techniques as well as finding out about the city itself. In these many ways, London is our laboratory.
SPECIAL NOTES
All students undertake a compulsory field trip in the second year. Currently we offer four: Morocco (for Geography BSc), Kerala, Paris and San Francisco (for Geography BA). There are also opportunities to take a term or a year abroad during the second year of study on one of our exchange programmes to Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore, or the USA.
Currently, students study the following core modules (all are 15 credits unless otherwise indicated). If there are optional modules available the current choices are also shown. King's reviews its option modules on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the School/Department for further advice. Students must take and pass 120 credits each year. All Compulsory modules and Core modules must be taken and passed.
Students on the BSc programme may specialise in pathways in Spatial Analysis and Technologies or Physical Geography.
YEAR 1
Students study four core modules, listed below.
YEAR 1 CORE
Geography Tutorials: Critical thinking and techniques (30 credits)
Geography concepts, skills & methods I (30 credits)
Geography, Society & Development (30 credits)
The Changing Natural Environment (30 credits)
YEAR 2
Students should take the modules outlined plus three (15 credit) options as listed below.
YEAR 2 CORE
Fieldwork in Physical Geography (15 credits)
Methods in Physical Geography (15 credits)
Geography Concepts, Skills & Methods II (30 credits)
Plus at least one 15 credit thematic module from the Physical Geography stream.
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
Please note not all options run each year.
Cities: Explorations in Urban Geography
Development Geographies: Livelihood & Policy Contexts
Ecological & Cultural Biogeography
Economic & Social Change in Post-war Europe
Environmental Remote Sensing
Earth Surface Processes
Climatic Variability, Change & Society
Historical Geographies of Urbanism
Natural Hazards
Territoriality, State & Nation
Urban & Social Inequalities
Water & Development
Up to 30 credits can also be taken from outside the department, subject to approval from the Chair of Teaching.
YEAR 3
Students should take the dissertation, one thematic module, plus five (15 credit) options as listed below.
YEAR 3 CORE
Independent Geographical Study (dissertation) (30 credits)
YEAR 3 OPTIONS
Please note not all options run each year.
Advanced Issues in Natural & Environmental Hazards
Cultural Landscapes - North American Style
Desert Environments
Directed Readings in Geography
Discovering Order in Geography
Economic & Social Change in Southern Africa
Economy, Society & Politics in 19th-century London
Environmental Remote Sensing II
Environmental Risk, Governance and Society
Gendered Geographies of Development & Globalisation
Global Cities
Japanese Environments
Landscape Ecology
New Geographies of Economic Development in the Global South
Political Economy of Hazardscapes
Social Theory and the Environment
Third World Political Ecology
Tropical Forests in a Changing Environment
Urban Climatology
Urban Governance & Regeneration
Urban Japan
Water and Development
Up to 30 credits can also be taken from outside the department subject to approval from the Chair of Teaching.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
96+-97+ ATAR, or an OP of band 3-2 for Queensland
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 17-18/20
Brazil
Brazil
High School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 85%-90% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 85%-90% at five grade 12 4U subjects. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 31-33.
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80%
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 18-19 plus at least an additional foundation/Access year
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 10-11 i
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5 and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 6
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The Baccalaureat with 13-14/20 overall
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.5-1.3 overall
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAB
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolyterion with 18-19
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Three elective subjects at minimum Levels 5, 5, 5 plus Level 4 in each of the four core subjects.
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian university.
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkar) with 16 OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB-AAA
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level unless otherwise stated)
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at AAB-AAA OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year.
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 8-9 lus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 , plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres bien i
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAB
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of AAB
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 7.5-8.0
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A-A1 , plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university
Poland
Matura
Matura with 80%-85% in extended level subjects
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 8-9
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 , plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB-AAA
Singapore
Singapore A Level
AAB in three content-based H2 subjects. Knowledge and Inquiry is not considered as part of the offer
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 2-1
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAABB
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 8-9 overall
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with with an overall mark of 4, plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university
United Kingdom
A levels
AAB
Compulsory subjects
No compulsory subjects at A-level or equivalent. GCSE (or equivalent) requirements: Maths and English at grade B or above.
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities (or similar) Diploma with 33 Level 3 credits from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining credits at Merit. Supplementary information and achievement e.g marks for certain credits/subjects may be required depending on course content.
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 M2
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
AAABB and AB at Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate
35 points and 665 HL
European Baccalaureate
80% overall
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 554 . Or SAT with a total score of 1800 with at least 600 in each section or the ACT with a score of 27 plus 3 SAT-S with a score of 600 in each
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
Students’ application forms are carefully reviewed by the admissions team and all those who receive a standard offer are invited to visit the department on one of our open days. This introduces students to what they might expect in terms of teaching and attending a world-class institution. Students with non-standard qualifications are welcome to apply and may be invited to an interview.