Geography and Environmental Hazards BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Explore the interplay between geography and environmental hazards, while developing practical and analytical skills to prepare for a career in risk management, sustainability, geographic information systems (GIS) or consultancy.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

FH82

Start date

September 2026

The information on this page is for 2025-26 entry and should be used as guidance for 2026-27 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.


Course overview

This course blends geography with studies of environmental hazards. It integrates fieldwork, GIS and their real-world applications.

Develop analytical and practical skills to prepare for a career in environmental consultancy, risk assessment and sustainability, or progress to postgraduate study in related fields.

  • Focus on environmental hazards: explore natural and human-made hazards, their causes, impacts, societal impacts and management strategies through a geography-based, interdisciplinary approach.
  • Hands-on learning and fieldwork: gain practical experience through UK and international field trips, laboratory work and real-world hazard assessments, GIS mapping and risk modelling, analyse hazard prevention, emergency planning and sustainable resilience strategies.2
  • Advanced geospatial and environmental technology: develop expertise in GIS, remote sensing and environmental monitoring tools, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), differential Global Positioning Systems (dGPS) and hazard simulation equipment.4
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

  • Comprehensive fieldwork opportunities: engage in mandatory field trips embedded at every level, including UK-based residential excursions, to apply geographical skills in real-world contexts.2
  • Industry-standard facilities: utilise modern resources such as the Simulation Centre, geotechnics laboratory, and computer labs equipped with industry-standard software like ArcGIS for mapping and geographical information systems.4
  • Career-focused curriculum: aligned with global frameworks like the UN SDGs, this course aims to prepare you for a career in environmental consultancy, disaster management or policy development. Benefit from our strong emphasis on employability with options for a sandwich year, industry placements and study abroad opportunities.2

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is currently accredited1 by the following accrediting body for the 2025 intake.

Royal Geographical Society with IBG accredited programme

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.



What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first-year courses

  • Geography BA (Hons)
  • Geography BSc (Hons)
  • Geography and Environmental Hazards BSc (Hons)

Modules

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

You will be taught by current experienced, qualified teaching staff who bring professional and research expertise into their teaching (staff are subject to change).

The mandatory field trips provide an opportunity to contextualise classroom-based learning and develop practical skills through real-life application. These mandatory trips occur in each year, they could be in the UK or abroad, but incur no extra cost to you. Additionally, we aim to give you opportunities to undertake a range of optional day and UK-residential trips, to gain practical experience of applying your knowledge2 (see the 'Fees and funding' section for more information).


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments
  • laboratories.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Geography is a global subject and international themes are core to our teaching. As such, much of our teaching relies on using case studies from overseas and your lecturers will draw on case studies related to their research from around the world. For example, previous cohorts have considered ecological monitoring and management in southern Africa and in the case of South America, looked at the impacts of dams on natural river flows, biodiversity, infrastructure management and flood risk.

We also aim for you to experience international mobility during your studies through a number of mandatory international field trips. There are no extra costs to you for these mandatory trips, which aim to offer you a global experience. You can expect to fulfil briefs that take account of the local climate, physical terrain, resources available, social and cultural environment2.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC
GCSE GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 29 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year
Not available
EU 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

Computer Laboratory - equipped with access to ArcGIS for mapping and geographical information systems. It is also equipped with Petrel/Eclipse software for oil and gas reservoir simulation and calculation.

Two students wearing lab coats using geotechnics lab facilities

Geotechnics Laboratory  

This specialist lab contains triaxial cells, direct shear box apparatus, a dimensional compression oedometer, California Bearing Ratio apparatus, soil classification equipment and Marshall test apparatus for asphalt mixes.

Three people wearing fluorescent jackets in the simulation centre

Simulation Centre

Our Simulation Centre uses an interactive screen and real-life scenarios to create a ‘virtual’ training environment. Role-play exercises are part of the course to help prepare you for situations in the workplace.

A birds eye view of students working on computers at desks in Informal study areas

Informal Study Areas

You will have access to a range of informal study areas. These include hot-desk computers, with access to specialist software you may need for studying, and bookable spaces where you can meet with academics or work in small groups.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

Successful geography and natural hazards graduates should possess a number of skills that are highly valued by employers. As such, employment prospects can be good, as they should possess specialist skills and knowledge in natural hazard assessment and prevention.

Upon successful completion, you can expect to be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature, practical value and application of geography and the earth sciences
  • recognise key concepts, methods and techniques in relation to spatial and temporal geographical problems, variations in the human and physical environments and the effect of contemporary environmental issues
  • demonstrate a detailed understanding of natural hazards and application of knowledge to mitigate and manage their effects
  • plan, design and execute a piece of independent research or enquiry using appropriate methods and strategies for acquiring, interpreting and analysing information
  • conduct field and laboratory work together with data collection and associated investigative and analytical skills
  • recognise the moral and ethical issues involved in debates and inquiries
  • think critically and analytically about the world around you
  • demonstrate an awareness of how skills and training can be applied to work of a geographical nature
  • observe, contextualise and analyse information through field and laboratory studies (including computational)
  • demonstrate a range of transferable professional skills including: intellectual and problem-solving skills, effective team work, initiative and responsibility for your own learning and development, self-reflection, time management and personal organisation, and excellent communication skills.

The transferable analytical and problem-solving skills you’ll have the opportunity to gain as a successful geography graduate may also open up a wider variety of roles, such as a GIS officer, data analyst, flood risk analyst, sustainability officer, asset systems manager, environmental energy consultant, teacher, insurance assessor or government administrator.

Where our graduates work

Graduates from similar courses have gone on to work for the Environment Agency, the Meteorological Office, environmental departments of local authorities, utility companies including Severn Trent and E.ON, research institutes, charitable organisations and environmental consultancies. Others have continued their studies at postgraduate level, including teacher training and further study at master’s and PhD level.

Further study

You could choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Sustainability and Environmental Management MSc or Disaster Management and Resilience MSc. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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