Geography Courses
Whether you’re seeking to gain a new perspective on the way we understand and respond to the major environmental challenges of our time, or looking to advance your career, studying a geography course with the Open University is a smart choice. Find out more about our geography qualifications below.
Geography
Degree
- Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
- Internationally respected, universally understood.
- An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
- Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
- Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Total of 360 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Geography
Diploma
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
- Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
Total of 240 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Geography
Certificate
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
- Count it towards further qualifications such as a DipHE or honours degree.
Total of 120 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Why study Geography with The Open University?
The Open University Geography Department has a record of producing innovative research and teaching. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, over 75% of our research outputs ranked as world leading or internationally recognised in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Benefits of studying geography with us:
- Our courses and qualifications use cutting edge thinking to address current and emerging social and environmental issues, whilst remaining accessible to those new to studying Geography.
- You’ll have the option to learn from the richness of particular places and situations, with the option to undertake both virtual and residential fieldwork.
- Regular contact with your tutor and our student support team, there to support you on your learning journey.
- Courses that are accessible to all and recognised as such by employers and professional bodies.
Careers in Geography
In the face of increasing global social and environmental challenges, the skill and knowledge of geography graduates is becoming increasingly valuable to organisations seeking to adapt to new ways of working.
Our range of courses can help you begin or progress your career in:
- Local and central government
- Secondary school teacher
- Environmental consultancy
- Energy efficient industries
- Transport and logistics
Looking for something other than a qualification?
The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.
All Geography courses
Browse all the Geography courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.
See our full list of Geography courses
Email us
From exploring the right course for you to helping you register, our advisers can help.
Call us
As part of the OU’s response to Coronavirus, we have temporarily removed this option.
Please use the ‘Email us’ option to contact us.
Write to us at:
Student Recruitment
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
