Geography and Mathematics

Geography and Mathematics - BSc (Hons)

Explore the Earth's dynamic patterns and systems to help predict and protect its future whilst considering how mathematics can be applied to various aspects of the world. From climate change and sustainability to programming in Python and interpreting medical trials - you will graduate with a skill set flexible enough to pursue a wide variety of careers.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2024 entry see here - for 2023 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Geography, Geology and the Environment School of Computer Science and Mathematics

UCAS code

LG71

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

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Why study Geography and Mathematics at Keele University?

Top 10 in England for Geography (National Student Survey, 2021)

Top 10 in England for Mathematics (National Student Survey, 2021)

Focus on modelling real-world scenarios and unstructured problem solving

Our 600-acre campus is a living laboratory, offering a fantastic natural environment to perform fieldwork

Graduate with a broad range of transferable skills to succeed in a variety of careers

Course overview

Our combined honours Geography and Mathematics BSc will provide you with a breadth of knowledge and diverse skills across two exciting scientific subject areas.

In the Geography component of the programme you will explore a variety of modules related to physical geography such as Earth's varied landscapes and the complex, potentially fragile, global systems that connect them. Your theoretical knowledge will be strengthened with practical experience in a range of research techniques and you will have the opportunity to put your skills into practice during fieldwork.

Mathematics can be related to almost every aspect of the world we live in. This is why our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of the discipline, so you can apply these principles to the real world. You will explore the core areas of mathematics, including calculus, algebra, probability, analysis and particular attention will be given to making sure you have a solid foundation in mathematical methods and techniques.

You will deepen your knowledge as you advance through the degree by exploring modules in pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. To help develop the skills employers are looking for, you will also learn the programming language Python and understand how mathematics is used in a professional environment.

Personalise your degree

Throughout the programme you will have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your career aspirations and personal interests by choosing from a variety of optional modules in areas such as probability, waves, applied geographical information system and inspirational landscapes.

Learn from our campus - our own living laboratory

Our unique 600-acre rural campus is a fantastic natural environment to test new ideas, discover solutions to problems and bring your learning to life. From taking soil samples and surveying, to looking at water quality - Keele's diverse habitats and environments enable you to learn in an authentic environment whilst practicing sustainably.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork opportunities are fully integrated into 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. Learn about the processes that shape our world and explore landscapes produced by human impacts, glaciers, rivers, estuaries and lakes. You will investigate how landscapes are changing by using key techniques and collecting and analysing data. 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 year

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. Between years two and three of your degree, you can choose to spend an optional year gaining practical experience within a geography or mathematics-focused company or organisation. This will benefit you by providing familiarisation with the professional working environment and the opportunity to apply the skills and theories you have learnt.

Support

Our multi layered support structure aims to help you meet your academic and personal needs. You will benefit from the assistance of an academic mentor and Keele's dedicated Student Experience and Support team.

Societies

We have a wealth of student-led societies which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to geography and mathematics is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for the area and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles.

Next Steps

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Placement year International year Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

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.

A Level requirements

ACC - BBC
To include A level Maths no lower than grade B

GCSE requirements

Mathematics at C (or 4)
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

DMM
You must have taken sufficient Maths units, please contact us for advice

International Baccalaureate

29 points to include Higher Level Mathematics at 6

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, to include sufficient Maths units. Please contact Admissions for advice

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

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.

Next Steps

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Additional information

A Level requirements

ACC - BBC
To include A level Maths no lower than grade B

GCSE requirements

Mathematics at C (or 4)
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

DMM
You must have taken sufficient Maths units, please contact us for advice

International Baccalaureate

29 points to include Higher Level Mathematics at 6

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, to include sufficient Maths units. Please contact Admissions for advice

English Language Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer 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.

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"Studying geography gave me a wide range of knowledge and skills – I was able to use my interview to talk about water resources, environmental management and GIS. Showing some of the work I had done at Keele, especially my dissertation, played a key role in getting a job with a company that I am really interested in."

Joe, Geography

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"Having a Maths degree gives you a keen eye for detail and this is something employers love. My team working and presentation skills have been enhanced by working in groups for some modules as well as presenting to a panel of lecturers helped me interact with a variety of people and prepared me for the workplace."

Nadeem, Economics and Mathematics

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Sustainability is at the heart of our programme

At Keele we're leading the sector in sustainability, not just in our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2030 but also through our teaching and our ground-breaking research into climate change and renewable technologies.

We are proud to be named Global Sustainability Institution of the Year (International Green Gown Awards, 2021), which demonstrates our commitment to embedding sustainability into all that we do.

From the benefits to businesses to green their operations, employment opportunities in the field of sustainability and the implications of economic developments on the natural environment - sustainability modules are embedded throughout our programme.

Find out more about Keele’s commitment to sustainability.

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Your future career

95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

You will graduate with a variety of transferable skills including problem-solving, logical thinking, qualitative research, data and statistics. These skills are highly valued by employers and are relevant to a broad range of careers. They also provide ideal training for postgraduate study and research.

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do include:

Actuarial analyst
Astronomer
Cartographer
Chartered accountant
Data analyst
Data scientist
Environmental consultant
Geographical information systems officer
Geospatial data analyst
Journalist
Logistics manager
Planning and development surveyor
Science teacher
Software engineer
Statistician
Systems developer
Town planner

Please note you may need to take further postgraduate study to enter some of the professions listed above.

Enhance your employability

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offer 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.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

Next Steps

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The School of Geography, Geology and the Environment interactive guided tour

Use the interactive tour to explore Keele's state of the art science facilities and our beautiful living-laboratory campus that we use to enrich your learning experience.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching in 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
Workshops

Assessments in Geography

The programme includes a range of assessments to develop both academic and employability skills. These include:

Class tests
Dissertation
Essays
Field course exercises
Literature reviews
Oral and poster presentations
Portfolios
Reflective diaries
Research proposals
Technical and laboratory reports

Teaching in Mathematics

We embrace online resources to supplement in-person sessions. By utilising gapped notes as a learning tool, you will benefit from seeing live input on calculations and interactive problem-solving in real-time. A large proportion of our academic experts are active in research. In additional to this, several staff members are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.

Learning and teaching methods used on the programme vary according to the subject matter and level of the module.

Teaching methods include:

Computer laboratory sessions
Flipped classes
Group work
Online polling and quizzes
Peer learning

Assessments in Mathematics

The wide variety of assessment methods used on this programme reflect the broad range of knowledge and skills that are developed as you progress through the degree. Teaching staff pay particular attention to specifying clear assessment criteria and providing timely, regular and constructive feedback.

Assessment methods include:

Class tests
Coursework
Dissertations
Project reports
Short reports
Unseen examinations
Video and oral presentations

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Central Science Laboratories

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

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Facilities

Geography facilities

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 and supports a highly tailored approach to practical learning.

Other facilities in the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment 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'sweather 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.

Mathematics facilities

During your studies you will have access to a suite of facilities. These include;

A dedicated mathematics workroom (housing study space, computers and white boards to facilitate independent and group study)
Seven computer labs (remote access available)
A high-performance cluster of computers (used for research and projects)
A Jupyterhub server (used to write Python code off-campus)

You will also have the opportunity to gain out of hours entry to the building that houses the School's computer laboratories (subject to the request, approval and collection of a key fob).

Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

The information within this section 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 BSc (Hons) Geography and Mathematics degree. In addition, the Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment module will provide knowledge of the basic underlying principles and concepts associated with the origins, evolution and structure of the Earth as a system. Meanwhile, the Advancing Mathematical Methods module continues to develop your understanding of the key mathematical techniques and methods used across a wide range of applied mathematics, as well in other areas of pure mathematics. 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.

Semester one modules

FYO-00185	Practical and Academic Skills in Science	15 credits
FYO-00217	Foundations of Mathematical Methods	30 credits
FYO-00193	Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment	15 credits

Semester two modules

FYO-00229	Advancing Mathematical Methods	30 credits
FYO-00195	Advancing Geography, Geology and the Environment	30 credits

Entry requirements

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

UK students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Geography with Foundation Year (UCAS code F800) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will then be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.

Direct entry students

If you are a UK student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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