BA (Hons) Geography with International Relations

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Plymouth

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by how people, politics, and places shape the world, this degree gives you the perfect mix of Geography and International Relations. You’ll explore everything from global conflicts and diplomacy to urban change and sustainability — developing a deep understanding of how local and global forces connect.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your journey starts with the foundations of human geography and world politics. You’ll study modules like Changing Places and Culture, Society and Space to understand how people interact with their environments. Alongside this, Imagining World Order introduces the key ideas behind global power structures and international cooperation.

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll dig deeper into the real-world issues shaping our planet. Fieldwork and data analysis become key skills as you study globalisation, inequality, and environmental change. You can also choose to join an international field trip or spend a semester studying abroad in destinations such as Europe, Australia, or North America — bringing your classroom learning to life.

Optional Placement Year
You’ll have the option to take a placement year either in the UK or overseas. This hands-on experience allows you to work with organisations tackling global or environmental challenges, giving you a real career advantage before you even graduate.

Year 3
In your final year, you’ll bring everything together through your independent dissertation — exploring a topic that combines geography and international relations in a way that reflects your own passions. You can also choose from modules on sustainable cities, geopolitics, migration, or climate policy, setting you up for a future that’s global, dynamic, and impactful.

Focus Areas

Human geography, global politics, sustainability, environmental policy, field research, international relations.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with the ability to think critically about global challenges, analyse spatial and political data, and communicate complex ideas clearly. Through fieldwork and research, you’ll develop the confidence to work across sectors like policy, planning, sustainability, and international development.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The degree is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) — a mark of quality that shows the program meets professional standards in geography and research practice.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Plymouth is known for its strong employability focus — over 85% of geography graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating, earning around £27,000 on average. The combination of fieldwork, placements, and international opportunities ensures graduates leave confident, adaptable, and career-ready.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Plymouth, learning Geography with International Relations is all about getting out there and experiencing how theory meets reality. You won’t just study maps or policies — you’ll analyse real-world data, travel on field trips, work on collaborative research, and even spend a year gaining professional experience in the UK or abroad. From using industry-standard software to exploring global case studies in the field, every step is designed to help you think, act, and work like a professional geographer and global analyst.

Here’s how you’ll gain hands-on experience throughout your degree:

Fieldwork adventures – Explore landscapes across the UK, from Dartmoor to the Tamar Valley, and take part in international field trips to destinations like Iceland, Australia, or the USA — all designed to bring global issues to life.
Frontiers in Fieldwork – In your final year, you’ll work with professional researchers and local communities abroad (for example, in Namibia), gaining advanced research and teamwork skills in a real-world setting.
Optional placement year – You can take a full year of paid or voluntary work experience in the UK or overseas, applying your classroom learning in government departments, NGOs, or environmental consultancies.
Cutting-edge digital tools – Learn to use GIS (Geographical Information Systems), mapping and spatial analysis software, and advanced visualisation tools like those in the Big Data & Spatial Analytics module.
Specialist labs and equipment – Access Plymouth’s modern remote sensing labs, GIS suites, and the innovative 5G interactive microscope laboratory, allowing you to collect and analyse geographical and environmental data.
Placement preparation and career support – The university’s Placement Preparation module and careers service guide you step-by-step through CV writing, interview techniques, and internship applications.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the BA (Hons) Geography with International Relations at the University of Plymouth opens doors to a wide range of global and professional careers. You’ll leave with strong analytical, research, and communication skills — the kind employers in both the public and private sectors truly value. Many graduates go on to work in roles such as policy analyst, urban planner, international development officer, or sustainability consultant, helping shape decisions that impact communities and the environment on a global scale.

Here’s how Plymouth helps you turn your degree into a rewarding career:

Career support for life – The university’s Careers & Employability Service offers one-to-one career coaching, CV and interview guidance, networking events, and lifelong access to career tools — even after you graduate.
Strong employment outcomes – Over 95% of Plymouth graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months of graduating, with geography graduates earning an average salary of around £27,000.
Real-world experience – The optional placement year (in the UK or abroad) lets you gain practical experience in government, NGOs, or private organisations, connecting your learning to real industry challenges.
Industry partnerships – Geography and International Relations students benefit from the university’s active partnerships with research institutes, environmental agencies, and regional development bodies, offering networking and internship pathways.
Long-term value – Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), your degree carries strong professional recognition, opening pathways in consultancy, policy, sustainability, and international relations.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, you can deepen your expertise with a master’s degree such as MA International Relations: Global Security and Development, or specialise in areas like urban planning, environmental policy, or sustainable development. Your undergraduate training in research and analysis also provides an excellent foundation for future PhD or research opportunities.