Combine the study of historical and modern day issues in Education with contemporary areas of Geography including climate change and sustainability. Education and Geography at Keele enables you to explore the evolution of education, from policy making to teaching, whilst investigating the impact of human behaviours that continue to shape natural and built environments. This course will help to prepare you for a wide range of careers including teaching at secondary level, with the potential to progress onto teacher training programmes in the future.
(Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings, 2022)
Top 10 in England for Geography
(National Student Survey, 2021)
600-acre campus
Offering a fantastic natural environment to perform fieldwork
Student testimonials
Course content
Studying Education and Geography at Keele encourages you to explore the evolution of teaching whilst considering contemporary societal challenges such as climate change.
Education at Keele explores the nature of learning as well as core elements including policy, teaching and practice. You will actively engage with discussions around various topics such as psychological, sociological and cultural influences in education, and consider how these may evolve in the future. You will consider key issues and challenges associated with teaching and learning at different levels, such as primary and secondary education.
The programme allows you to critically evaluate what education means to individuals and to consider important scenarios around the roles and responsibilities of teachers. You will explore how children learn and analyse contemporary assessment methods. You will consider key factors such as age, the support a student may receive in a range of educational settings, as well as the influence of technology that plays a crucial role in their learning.
Geography at Keele allows you to explore the spatial interactions between human behaviours and society and the inter-relationships between the environment and political, economic and social forces. Our focus on climate change, global responsibility, sustainability, and the application of professional geographical skills to real-world situations will prepare you for a wide range of careers and for life as a responsible global citizen.
You'll undertake a range of Geography modules which encourage you to consider themes such as space and society and practical human geography whilst having the flexibility to tailor your studies through our optional modules.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork opportunities are fully integrated into the geography component of the curriculum to enable you to apply your theoretical knowledge to the real world.
These practical experiences provide you with the opportunity to develop and refine the skills required for a career within industry. In previous years our students have undertaken field courses in the UK to the Lake District and localities around Staffordshire and overseas destinations including Barcelona and Iceland.
Work Placement Module in the School of Social, Political and Global Studies
In the School of Social, Political and Global Studies, you may have the opportunity to apply for a placement module to develop your knowledge and skills in professional environments. This may include opportunities to experience teaching and learning in Primary, Secondary and Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools. During this experience, you would observe and assist with classroom activities and develop your practical and professional skills in the company of professionals and learners in different age and development stages. We have a wide range of contacts with local schools in the area where you can gain this valuable hands-on experience in the education sector.
Please note: There are limited spaces on this module.
Work Placement Year
On this course, you will have the opportunity to opt for a Work Placement Year, aligned to either Education or Geography. This will allow you to apply your knowledge and practical skills in a workplace environment enabling you to build key skills in communication, teamwork and project management. You will be able to demonstrate your abilities and creative thinking, working with fellow professionals as well as independently.
You will be supported by staff in your preparation to apply for a work placement that suits your interests and career prospects. This opportunity will allow you develop both personally and professionally during your studies which will assist you in your employment after university.
Spend a year in industry with Geography
In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. In the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, you may choose to spend a year gaining practical experience with a geography-focused company or organisation. This will benefit you by providing familiarisation with the professional working environment and the opportunity to apply the geographical skills and theories you have learnt.
Please note: If you wish to opt for a Work Placement Year, you will be required to choose an opportunity aligned to either Education or Geography.
Learn from our campus - Our own living laboratory
Our unique 600-acre rural campus is a fantastic natural environment to carry out fieldwork. You can test new ideas, discover solutions to problems and bring your learning to life. Keele's diverse habitats and environments enable you to learn in an authentic environment whilst practicing sustainably.
Human Geographers use Keele campus as a Living Laboratory to:
Undertake ethnographic mapping methods
Examine issues of rural identity and landscape
Research behavioural aspects associated with the implementation of sustainable energy systems
Investigate the effectiveness of new forms of sustainable mobility and electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Consider different ideas about nature and conservation
Experience human-animal encounters in multispecies spaces
Explore therapeutic landscapes to inform activities that promote health and wellbeing
Innovate Decolonising the Curriculum work and practices
Learn about drone technology and surveying methods
Study abroad
International Semester or Year
In between years two and three of your degree, you can choose to spend a semester or year studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enable you to experience different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.
Related courses
A Combined Honours degree in Education means studying approximately half of your degree in Education and the remainder in another subject. If you are considering a career in secondary school teaching you will be required to take at least 40% of your degree in the subject you want to teach so this could be a great option to prepare you for your career. At Keele, Education can be studied in the following combinations:
Our Course Information Documents (CIDs) are designed to give you all of the details you need to make an informed decision about what and where to study.
Education provides an array of diverse teaching styles to ensure you have a strong understanding of the subject area. Our aim is to equip you with the necessary skills to assist you throughout your studies, in preparation for your career.
You will develop key analytical and presentation skills as well as the ability to engage with important discussions with academics and peers. This will help you to construct and form strong arguments.
You will be taught through various methods including:
Lectures
Workshops
Seminars
Web-based learning
These teaching methods will enhance your experience, allowing you to share your knowledge and expertise.
Assessment in Education
You will engage with various assessment methods which may include:
Examinations
Essays
Research Design Projects
Workshops
Portfolios
Reports
Presentations
Reviews/analysis
Teaching in Geography
Within Geography we offer a personalised learning experience in an environment where you can feel part of a community. Our small class sizes will enable you to gain individual attention from your lecturers, forge close connections with other students and study in a focused environment.
To ensure you receive a high-quality learning experience, teaching will be delivered through a diverse range of methods. Some classes are taught in workshop format integrating both lecture and practical material.
Fieldwork provides a deep, immersive learning experience that puts geological processes and their products into their four-dimensional context.
Methods of teaching include:
Field courses
Group presentations
Independent study and project work
Lectures
Online learning via the Keele Learning Environment (KLE)
Practical classes
Seminars
Assessment in Geography
The programme includes a range of assessments to develop both academic and employability skills. These include:
Class tests
Essays
Field course exercises
Oral and poster presentations
Portfolios
Reflective diaries
Research proposals
Technical and laboratory reports
Independent project work
Entry requirements
Keele is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. On that basis we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria.
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom and International students.
A LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
BBC
GCSE REQUIREMENTS
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)
BTEC
DMM
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
29 points
ACCESS TO HE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.
PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.
These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.
Foundation year
You may choose to study this course via foundation year.
If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.
Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.
The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.
The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.
COURSE CONTENT
Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.
The Keele Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA (Hons) Education and Geography degree. All of the modules you take will prove useful in your degree and professional career.
Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.
Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
Relevant work experience
AND
GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)
AND
GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above
HOW TO APPLY
Students should apply for BA (Hons) Geography with Foundation Year (UCAS code F703) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.
DIRECT ENTRY STUDENTS
If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.
Information for students returning to education
We are interested in a broad range of qualities, not just your points on entry. We would like to learn more about you, your interests, experiences and motivation to study.
We would be delighted to talk to you about your work experience (paid or voluntary) and qualifications, and help you to explore your options for study with us.
Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.
We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.
96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)
You will develop a range of transferable skills studying Education and Geography including problem-solving and creative thinking. You may wish to explore a career in teaching or other organisations engaged with training, support and learning.
You may wish to pursue a career such as:
Teaching
Social Work
Youth Work
Journalism
Government and Policy
Heritage
Media and Journalism
Law
Business
Cartographer
Environmental consultancy
Geographical information systems officer
Geospatial data analyst
International development worker
Logistics manager
Market researcher
Planning and development surveyor
Residential surveyor
Systems developer
Town planner
Enhance your employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.
From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
The School of Geography, Geology and Environment (GGE), benefits from a dedicated teaching space in Keele’s state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL). Featuring 80 new polarising microscopes and 20 new low powered microscopes, the CSL allows us to innovate and enhance the teaching experience of our students and supports a highly tailored approach to practical learning. Other facilities in the School include:
Drones
We are pioneers in teaching our undergraduate students how to use, process and analyse drone generated data - in fact some of our former students have even entered careers in this quickly growing sector. During your studies you will learn about and have the opportunity to use our fleet of drones while working on research projects.
Ice Laboratory
Our ice laboratory features a dedicated freezer laboratory for water and ice samples from polar environments. IceLab research is driven by the need to understand and develop new methods, such as analysis of ice core ‘biomarkers’, within polar environments in order to inform on key questions surrounding global ocean and atmospheric change, sea ice variability, and humanity’s role in polar ecological change.
Weather station
Keele's weather station provides valuable data locally, nationally and for teaching and research in the school. This includes data for wind speed and direction, rainfall, humidity, sunshine/radiation, air and ground temperatures.
There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course. Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.
