Environmental Geography
Environmental geography examines the physical systems that shape the Earth's surface alongside the human processes that interact with and transform them. It asks how climate, landforms, soils, vegetation, and water systems work, how human activities put pressure on those systems, and how geographers can contribute to understanding and addressing the environmental challenges of our time. Fieldwork and the use of cutting-edge technologies such as GIS mapping and remote sensing are central to the discipline, connecting theoretical understanding to the analysis of real-world environments.
At the University of Plymouth, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placements, making it one of the most practically and internationally oriented environmental geography degrees available. You will develop both technical and conceptual skills, investigating societal and environmental issues through methods that include virtual reality, urban fieldwork, and spatial analysis. Plymouth's coastal and marine environment is itself a living laboratory for many of the environmental processes you will study.
The placement year gives you direct professional experience in an environmental or geographical role, which is increasingly important in a field where employers value demonstrated practical competence alongside academic knowledge.
Graduates work in environmental consultancy, conservation organisations, government environmental agencies, local planning authorities, coastal and marine management, natural hazard assessment, and sustainability roles in business. The technical skills in GIS, spatial analysis, and environmental monitoring developed in this programme are directly applicable in professional practice and are consistently sought after by employers. Postgraduate study in environmental science, physical geography, environmental management, or coastal science is a natural route for those who wish to develop their expertise further.