To apply you’ll need to:
Have further questions? How to apply | Entry requirements
*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.
Finances for studying abroad on exchange
Do you want to explore the cultures, economies and societies that make up our world and understand the local, regional and global processes that influence them?
Our Human Geography BA programme will develop your knowledge of the political, economic, cultural and historical factors that shape relationships between people, places and our planet. It is designed for students who wish to specialise in the social science perspectives of the discipline, exploring themes including globalisation, cities, culture, social justice, global health and development. Year One provides a broad foundation in key elements of geography and Years Two and Three offer a range of exciting optional modules that specialise on human geography topics and skills, providing flexibility to tailor your study towards your interests and career goals. You will develop both subject-specific and transferable skills including social science research methods, geographical information systems (GIS), effective communication and problem-solving, unlocking a wide range of employment options after graduation. You can also explore key concepts from human geography through fieldwork in the UK and destinations further afield such as New York and Boston, before designing your own research project in your final year with guidance and support from our experts.
This programme is based in the School of Geography on QMUL’s Mile End campus in the vibrant heart of east London. You will join a learning community of students and academics, drawn from over 35 countries across the world. Each student has an academic advisor who supports their studies and transition to university. Our student experience and engagement team provide further pastoral care and social opportunities outside of the classroom. The School’s dedicated Careers Consultant offers one-to-one advice and coaching meetings for students and hosts regular employer events on campus that often feature returning graduates from the School.
You can complete your Human Geography degree in three or four years. If you choose to study abroad, this will take place in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.
For full details on all of our modules please go to the online module directory.
*Fieldwork module. Fieldwork destinations may vary year-on-year, are subject to availability and depend on the module combinations chosen. Overseas fieldwork modules run in alternate years. Places are limited - if a module is oversubscribed, places will be allocated by ballot. Students on overseas field trips are responsible for securing their own visas, if required.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
For full details on our modules please go to the online module directory.
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Human Geography BA with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).
Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.
Compulsory fieldwork will not cost you anything extra. Optional overseas fieldwork trips in the second and third year cost approximately £400-£1,400 (based on 2017-18 costs). On some trips you may also need to pay extra for flights.
My course lets me explore the differences between people and teaches me to accept them. Looking at poverty and development in the Global South motivates me to do something for the world. My degree is an excellent stepping stone toward my future career and has equipped me with skills to create change in the world.
On average, you can expect to spend eight to 12 hours per week in a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and practical classes.
You’ll also take part in small-group tutorials, receiving further guidance on the course material and developing your study skills.
In the final year, tutorials are replaced with one-to-one meetings with your tutor as you prepare for your independent research project and plan your future career.
For every hour of classes, expect to do a further four to six hours of independent study.
Modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and examination. Coursework may include extended essays, short reports, posters, oral presentations and group work.
Students must also complete a final-year independent study project of 10,000 words, based on an original study of their choice.
The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:
Find out what our students think about studying geography at Queen Mary.
Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.
For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.
If your qualifications are not accepted for direct entry onto this degree, consider applying for a foundation programme.
Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.
You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.
See our general undergraduate entry requirements.
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
Many of our graduates use their subject knowledge directly in policy, town or transport planning or geographical information systems (GIS). Others take their transferable skills into other careers, from business to health.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
Geography students benefit from dedicated careers support including lectures and tutorials on career choice, getting work experience and presenting degree skills to an employer at interview. We also run an annual career options event with graduate speakers.
The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
Human Geography - BA (Hons)
Human Geography with Year Abroad - BA (Hons)
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)
Join us and work alongside academics who are committed to world-leading research. From climate change to development to questions of culture, identity and social justice, our research – and therefore your studies – touch upon some of society’s biggest and most pressing challenges.
The School of Geography is one of the top 100 geography departments in the world (QS World University Rankings 2020).
Thanks to our local, national and international links, you’ll have opportunities to work with community groups, environmental trusts and charities, applying your knowledge to real-world problems.
Contact us