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Geography and Planning BA Honours

  • UCAS code: LK74
  • Full time
  • 3 years

Study Human Geography alongside issues relating to Urban Planning to understand the challenges of our cities and contribute to future societies.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £22800

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: BBB
  • IB: 30 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

You'll learn about the social forces that shape our society and the spaces we live in and discover techniques for ‘reading’ cities and spaces.

Our renowned experts will guide you through the practices of public planning and design, and help you explore the political and democratic factors that influence it, setting foundations for your career.

The degree integrates core areas from our geography and urban planning degrees to equip you with strong analytical and practical skills.

Your first year is professionally accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

We’ll introduce you to the study of planning and geography through subjects such as planning theory and systems, and urban, regional, social and environmental issues.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Interconnected World 20
Human Geographies of the UK 20
Geographical Analysis 20
Planning Processes 10
Economics of Development I 10
Shaping Towns and Cities 20
Disciplinary and professional perspectives on planning 20
GAP Community 0

You can specialise by choosing a range of topics from the geography and planning disciplines. You'll also undertake research training and will have the opportunity to develop employment skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Research Skills 20
GAP Community 0
Optional Modules Credits
Political Geography 20
Economic Geography 20
Development & Globalisation 20
Social Geographies 20
Career Development for second year students 20
Houses and Homes 20
Design & Neighbourhood 20
Researching Local Economies 20
Understanding Cities 20
Digital Civics 20
Urban Infrastructures: A Lens on the City 20
How Public is Public Space? An interdisciplinary perspective 20
Study Visit 20
Global Course on Institutional Design for Spatial Planning 20

You can continue to specialise by choosing in-depth modules on geography and planning topics, and you'll complete a dissertation on a topic of interest to you. You will also have a further opportunity to develop your employability skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Dissertation 40
GAP Community 0
Optional Modules Credits
Chinese Cultural History and Urban Development 20
Climate Literacy: From philosophies to practice 20
Geopolitics 20
Local and Regional Development 20
Mapping the City 20
Geographies of Race and Nation 20
Humanitarianism and Health Inequalities 20
Career Development for final year students 20
Advanced Career Development module 20
Strategies into Action: Planning 20
Development Management 20
Planning Theory and Politics 20
Study Abroad 40
Disasters, Monsters and Mess 20
Strategies Into Action: Urban Design 20
Feeding the City 20
Contemporary Planning Issues 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Our courses have a high level of staff and student interaction, including:

  • tutorials
  • lectures
  • seminars

All modules also require a considerable amount of independent study, culminating in a dissertation under expert supervision in stage 3.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Coursework

  • Essays

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Presentations

  • Reports

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You'll study a broad range of theoretical and practical skills, including building design, mapping science, global social and economic change, and local environmental initiatives.

In Stage 2 an optional international study visit provides first-hand experience of other geographical and planning contexts.

Business skills

You'll gain a wide range of skills that will enable you to work in urban or rural policy fields, in public or private practice and with a wide range of other professions.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

In Stage 2 you can choose to spend a whole semester studying in Europe as part of a study abroad exchange.

Find out more about study abroad

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a Geography and Planning student at Newcastle, you will be part of the University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape and will also spend time in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology.

You’ll be based in the Henry Daysh Building, reopening from major refurbishment in January 2020, and have access to a dedicated planning studio with computing facilities and social space.

Image of Architecture Building

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

We also have a dedicated Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator (Student Support), who can offer you support if you are experiencing issues that may be affecting your performance at University. They can also offer advice about other University services that may benefit you depending on your circumstances.

Your future

Join our network of confident and successful graduates who have gone on to work as planners or surveyors and you can take advantage of our departmental links with organisations such as Transport for London, White Young Green and the Association of European Schools of Planning.

93% of our Geography and Planning BA Hons graduates were employed or in further study within six months of graduating with an average salary of £25,000*.

*Destinations of (undergraduate, UK and EU) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/2017

Graduates in demand

You will leave with sought after skills, including teamwork, project management, research and presentation skills, and therefore will have access to a wide variety of careers.

A Geography and Planning degree from Newcastle will ensure you develop the skills that employers look for and can open the doors to a wide range of careers.

Make a difference

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Careers support

We are committed to developing your employability and have a dedicated careers adviser to offer advice and guidance throughout your degree.

If you choose to change your degree to the Masters of Planning (MPlan) degree during your studies, we will help you to secure placement opportunities in a range of planning environments to which you can apply. This experience is a crucial element of reflective study used to inform Stage 4.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

22800

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

Get in touch

By phone

Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.

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