Economics and Geography BA

Our Economics and Geography BA degree allows you to study key specialisms in human geography alongside attention to the economic issues arising in business, public policy and society at large.

You will be able to explore urban, economic, social, population, political and development, and digital geographies; and environmental sustainability. You will also examine the ideas and methods that underpin research in human geography, and learn skills in mapping and the use of Geographical Information Systems. In parallel, economics modules will consider the factors that influence income, wealth and wellbeing, how scarce resources are allocated, distributed and used today, and how they might change in the future.

A wide range of optional modules will allow you to shape your degree to suit your own interests and career intentions, from economic development to citizenship and identity via environmental economics, retail and service analysis and planning, and migration. Fieldwork offered in every year will also allow you to put your geographical knowledge and skills into practice beyond the University.

Extending this degree

You can convert your 3-year degree into a 4-year degree by spending an additional year on an industrial placement or overseas, before returning to Leeds to complete your final year of study.

Each year of this programme has a series of compulsory core modules, but you will also choose from a range of optional modules in your two main subjects. Additionally, you can opt to study Leeds discovery modules. These offer an exciting range of study opportunities drawn from across the University – including languages, enterprise, sustainability, ethics, technology and politics.

In year one, you will be introduced to key themes in human geography and economics, focusing on topics including the economic and social importance of cities; past and present international development; changing populations, the unequal distribution of power and opportunity in national and international systems; geographical and economic perspectives on production, consumption and exchange.

In year two, you will choose from a larger number of optional modules – including those focusing on economic geography, political and development geographies, social geography, urban geography, transport economics, health economics and labour economics – so that you can begin to specialise in the ideas and issues that interest you most. Module choices in geography include a range of week-long field trips to European cities. We will also help you to develop your own skills as a researcher, with modules that show you how to access, analyse and present information; how to pose your own research questions; and how to identify the best methods to answer your research questions.

In year three, you will have the chance to put your research training into practice, by undertaking your own final year project. You can choose whether your project has a geographical or economic focus, and there are opportunities to pursue applied projects with outside companies and other partners. You will also choose from a range of advanced optional modules, allowing you to deepen your specialist interest in particular aspects of human geography and economics. Module choices in geography also include a range of international fieldtrips; and choice of a research, work or teacher placement modules.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Economics and Geography BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from the range of opportunities, expanding your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You will learn through a range of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials (groups of eight), seminars (groups of approximately 30), computer lab / practical classes, group-work, online exercises and fieldwork, depending on the modules you study.

Independent study is also an important part of this course, and will develop your research and analytical skills in order to think and work independently.

You will receive guidance and support throughout your degree, and there will be opportunities for extra support through one-to-one assistance, workshops and skills training.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods include examinations, individual or group reports and presentations, practical exercises, essays, posters, projects (such as the dissertation) and reflective logs.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA preferably including Geography

If Geography is not included, we would expect two A-levels from History, English, Economics, Sociology, a modern language, Psychology, Mathematics and Biology.

GCSE: Mathematics at grade A (7) or above, and English at grade B (6) or above, or an equivalent English language and Mathematics qualification.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.

• BTEC

  D*DD in Extended Diploma/3 Subsidiary Diplomas in Geography or two relevant subjects. We will accept a combination of BTECs and A-Levels. Please contact us for further information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D2, M1, M1 including Geography or two relevant subjects.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall, with 17 points at higher level to include 5 points in Geography or in two relevant subjects.

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  AAAAAA/H2H2H2H2H2H2 including Geography or two relevant subjects.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AAABB overall with AA in 2 Advanced Highers (AH). For non-AH applicants AAAAAA. To include Geography or 2 relevant subjects.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABB plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Applicant days

Suitable applicants will be invited to an applicant day as this gives you the opportunity to meet our staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and studying at Leeds.

Invites are sent out by email to all applicants that are made an offer, if you are unable to attend and/or have previously attended an admissions event at Leeds then you can let us know via the booking link included in the applicant day email.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £22,500 (per year)

Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Additional cost information

<p>Because we recognise the value of field experience, the school heavily subsidises or covers transport and accommodation costs for compulsory taught field courses and many optional field trips. You will have to supplement the cost of some optional fields trips.</p>

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships information will be announced soon.

In the School of Geography we take your future very seriously and know that employability is uppermost in many students’ minds. If you choose to study Geography and Economics at Leeds, you can be confident that you’re not only joining a university whose graduates are targeted by top employers, but that as joint honours graduates, your employment opportunities couldn’t be more exciting and wide-ranging.

We structure this programme to ensure you develop the key transferable skills sought by graduate recruiters, skills such as: team-working, commercial awareness, report-writing, fluency in oral communication and presentation, numerical analysis, IT expertise and investigative skills.

Here is a snapshot of the types of careers our graduates pursue:

Environmental Management

• Conservation
• Land and water management
• Public utilities

Management and consultancy

• Transport planning and consultancy
• Graduate training schemes in multinational companies
• IT and business consultancy

Using GIS

• Retail Planning
• Direct marketing
• GIS companies

Government and NGOs

• Local government administration
• Civil service (police, armed forces)
• Regional and overseas development

Financial

• Banking
• Insurance
• Financial services

Further study and training

• Vocational Masters courses
• PhD study
• Teacher training/conservation courses

Visit our careers and employability page for more recent graduate destinations.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study Abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Find out more on the Study Abroad website.

Year in Industry

Leeds is one of the few geography departments in the UK to offer a year in industry scheme which allows you to extend your three-year programme to a four-year industrial degree. You don't have to decide to do a placement year before you start your course, you can register your interest with us once you’ve enrolled on the 3-year degree.

This is a fantastic opportunity to add value to your CV, experience the “real world” first-hand and, in many cases, be offered a permanent job with the placement company on graduating. With staff dedicated to helping you to secure a placement that is right for you, and by keeping in close contact with you throughout your placement year, we ensure you get the most out of your time with your chosen company.

Find out more about a Year in Industry.

Ask any of our students and they will tell you that taking part in field trips is one of the most enjoyable and memorable aspects of the geography programmes at Leeds.

We offer fieldwork opportunities at each level of study and they provide a great opportunity to study a fascinating subject in contrasting environments away from the University. During our level 2 and level 3 field trips you will learn essential fieldwork and team working skills, transferable skills that will prove invaluable to your future career. Field trips are also a fantastic way to travel and see new places and to get to know your tutors and other students better.