Human Geography and Planning

This course, which is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (dependent upon the modules selected), provides you with a broad-based spatial education that combines the problem-solving approaches of planning with the topical insights of geography.

As well as forging strong links between the geography and planning disciplines, the BSc Geography (Human) and Planning course has been specifically designed to provide you with key employability skills that will support you in an increasingly competitive labour market. You will gain an understanding of global, national and local processes of change, key environmental, social, cultural, political and economic trends and the role that planning plays in shaping their effects on different places.

The course examines the changing nature of spaces and places, the relationship between society and space, and the roles of the state. Placing local and national issues in a global context, the course covers topics which range from environmental change in the UK, and economic and social change in Wales, to regional and international development.

The course combines an appreciation of transnational spatial change with detailed case study work, through field study visits, away days and projects. It fosters an understanding of the main geographical trends in the world today, along with the analytical skills needed to study spatial change. At the same time, students are expected to link the insights derived from the geography modules to the more specific concerns of urban and regional planning.

Field study visits are a key aspect of our Geography (Human) and Planning programme. Previous destinations include Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Tanzania.

The distinctive features of the course include:

a condensed but comprehensive coverage of both Human Geography and Planning

the opportunity to study in a School consistently highly rated for its research excellence

the involvement of internationally reputed research staff who are active in both scholarly and practitioner/policy networks

close links with planning institutions, especially in Wales

access to a laboratory with high-quality printing facilities, GIS (Geographic Information System) and Edina digimap mapping facilities

excellent library and access to online journals and databases

a field study visit option (currently a choice of destination between Hong Kong, Tanzania, Los Angeles and New York) to explore issues in a real world case study, and deploy skills acquired through the degree into practice

the facility to undertake assessments in the Welsh language if preferred.