PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
BA Geography with Quantitative Methods
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
BA Geography with Quantitative Methods
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
L700
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2015 intake onwards (BA Geography with Quantitative Methods)
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Social and Historical Sciences
Parent Department:
Geography
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
3 A levels (typical offer AAA-AAB including A in Geography).
In addition, A in Mathematics is required for admission to the BA
Geography with Quantitative Methods route.
3 years full time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Level 6
GEOGRAPHY
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/admissions-andteaching/undergraduates/degreeprog.jpg/view
Programme structure of the BA Geography with Quantitative
Methods route:
First year compulsory courses in Global Geographies, Ideas in
Geography, Writing and Analysis in Geography, Human Ecology:
Geographical Perspectives, Principles of Social Science Research
(offered by Q-step centre), Introduction to Quantitative Research
methods (offered by Q-step centre), and one of the following:
London: A Geographical Introduction; Environmental Change.
Second year compulsory units in Practice of Geography, 1.0 CU
Human Geography modules using Quantitative methods (currently
Economic Geography and Geocomputation and Computational
Social Science), Data Analysis (1 CU offered by Q-step centre); two
(or three) of the following: Cultural and Historical Geography;
Development Geography; Environment and Society; Political
Geography and Geopolitics; Urban Geography; one (or zero) Q-step
approved options from PPE or Population Health.
Third year compulsory units Dissertation (1.5 units), 1.0 CU of
Human Geography modules using quantitative methods (currently
Economic Geography II and Mining Social and Geographic
Datasets); Causal Inference, Advanced Topics (2 x 0.5 CU offered
by Q-step Centre), 1 module from geography or Q-step approved
elective from PPE or Population Health.
Courses assessed by 100% examination or 100% coursework or
examination plus coursework and with a 12,000 word
report/dissertation in the third year.
Name of Board of Examiners:
BA/BSc Geography and BSc Environmental Geography
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to:
 develop each student's intellectual skills of reasoning, analysis and critical thought through the application of
geographical knowledge and methods; and to advance his/her investigative skills in the analysis of complex
human and physical geographical problems;
 help each student develop the means to communicate orally, in writing and numerically in a clear, concise and
effective way;
 help each student develop a range of transferable skills such as: time management and effective work
strategies to meet deadlines, and to acquire library, fieldwork and laboratory research skills that allow the
production of original pieces of work;
 encourage appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of geographical education by providing students with a
coherent set of course choices that demonstrate an explicit sense of intellectual progression over three years,
ensuring that students graduate from a degree course best suited to their interests and career aspirations as:
 skilled social scientists – able to move into research or management positions in private and public sector
organisations; or
 skilled environmental scientists – with career paths directed towards environmental research, specialist
positions in environmental policy, or management positions in private and public sector organisations; or
 well rounded graduates in the 'liberal arts' tradition – who will leave with a comprehensive understanding of
the nature of geography and its methods, and able to enter a wide range of employment.
 provide each student with advanced quantitative skills enabling them to enter public and private sector
organizations as well as post-graduate social science education (BA geography with Quantitative Methods);
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
broad based geographical knowledge
including human and physical aspects;



in human geography, core topics
include social science methods,
urban, population, development,
social, cultural, political and
environmental geography;
in physical geography, core
topics include scientific methods,
geomorphology, hydrology,
coastal, environmental change,
climatology, remote sensing, and
ecology.
In addition there are a number of
courses which cut across both
social and physical geography
providing essential knowledge
and understanding of the field.
Students also gain a knowledge of the
library, fieldwork and laboratory methods
used in physical and human geography.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Many different teaching and learning methods and
strategies are used including lectures, seminars, small
group presentations and discussions, tutorials,
laboratory and practical work, social and physical
science fieldwork in the UK and abroad, independent
directed reading, interactive teamwork, web based
courses and regular contact with and feedback from
research active academic staff.
Tutorial essays and examined course work help
students gain confidence in dealing with a range of
complex theoretical and empirical material.
The compulsory third year report/dissertation provides
the means to examine the knowledge gained from this
programme and allows students to develop their
independent, scientific research skills.
Assessment:
A wide variety of methods of both formal (required for
the degree) and informal assessment are used in
different core and optional courses.
Formal assessment includes: assessed formative
coursework, assessed summative coursework, unseen
examinations (short answer and essay), , lab books,
posters, blog-writing and web site construction and final
year report/dissertation.
Informal assessment includes oral presentation within
courses and tutorials, and tutorial essays.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1. Reason critically.
2. Apply social science and science
methods and approaches.
3. Understand the similarities,
differences and linkages between
human and physical geography.
4. Identify and solve problems.
5. Demonstrate and exercise
independence of mind and thought.
6. Develop skills in critical reading,
analysis and interpretation.
7. Evaluate and integrate conflicting
sources, evidence, data, theories and
interpretation.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching
and learning programme outlined above.
Each course, whatever the format of the teaching,
involves discussion of key issues, the examination of
hypotheses and theories, practice in demonstrating
intellectual skills both orally and in writing, analysis and
interpretation of methodologies, data, sources, and
theories, as well as feedback to students on work
produced.
In addition, our non-course specific small group tutorial
system over 3 years aims to develop intellectual and
transferable skills through debate, oral presentations,
group work, and staff interviews.
Assessment:
The variety of assessment methods employed place
great emphasis (as shown in their assessment criteria)
on the learner's ability to demonstrate skills (1-7)
through the production of coherent written and practical
responses either to problems or to tasks set.
The individual report/dissertation is one demonstration of
students' skills and also allows them to develop an indepth knowledge of an aspect of geography which
interests them.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. Search, retrieve, select and analyse
material/data from a variety of
sources (library and on-line).
2. Plan, undertake and report
bibliographically-based pieces of
coursework.
3. Use social or physical geography field
methods to collect data to answer
specific questions.
4. Exploit computer resources for
understanding and manipulating
geographical data.
5. Apply appropriate statistical and
numerical methods.
6. Select and design research work
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. All students receive extensive guidance on how to
identify, locate and use both electronic and printed
material/data available from a wide range of sources.
2. Course objectives and comprehensive bibliographies
are provided for each course, as are guidelines for the
production of coursework essays and extended essays.
3. Lectures, practicals, tutorials and seminars are given
on a range of essential geographical methodologies,
including library, laboratory and fieldwork.
The first year starts with a week dedicated to introducing
students to the key skills and resources for their degree.
This is continued throughout the first year with the
compulsory courses Writing and Analysis in Geography
(GEOG 1008) and Data Acquisition and Interpretation
(GEOG 1003) including a week's field-class.
4. In the second year skills training is continued with a
core compulsory methods course to teach students how
to prepare and undertake geographical research for their
report/dissertation, along with a choice of at least one of
Physical or Human Geography methods courses.
Students taking the Quantitative Methods Route will
receive 1 CU of quantitative methods training in each
year. Fieldwork skills training is continued in the third
year with optional international field-classes.
Assessment:
Skills 1,2, 3 and 4 are assessed through assessed
essays, unseen examinations, projects, and take-home
examinations. Skills 3, 4 and 5 are assessed through
experimental, practical or fieldwork write ups. Skill 4 is
assessed through both core methods courses and some
specialist optional courses including in one course web
site design. Skills 3, 4, 5, 6 are assessed through the
third year report/dissertation.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
1. Structure and communicate ideas
effectively both orally and in writing.
2. Manage time and work to deadlines.
3. Participate constructively in groups.
4. Work independently.
5. Find information and use information
technology, including word
processing and Powerpoint.
6. Be self-reliant.
7. Assess the relevance and importance
of the ideas of others.
8. Understand graphical, textual and
quantitative material and undertake
quantitative/statistical analysis.
9. Develop research skills to higher
levels in field/lab work, textual,
archival analysis.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The foundation for reflecting on and recording skills in
the Department is the UCL online skills audit system,
which is checked via the tutorial system. It is the
student’s responsibility to develop these skills and to
monitor improvement, a process which is overseen by
their personal tutor. The student keeps an online record
of their 3 years to monitor the development of key
transferable skills (see skills 1-7).
All courses require regular written work, usually in the
form of essays, and regular feedback is given to the
student to develop their understanding and powers of
expression (skill 1). Skill 2 is learnt (rather than taught)
through the management of time to meet various and
sometimes competing deadlines (all notified at the
outset of each course) for submission of coursework.
Skills 3 and 7 are developed in classes, seminars and
tutorials, which rely on discussion and interaction, as
well as presentations given by individuals or groups of
students. Skills 4, 6 and 9 are developed during the
report/dissertation, a study based on the student’s
personal research interest. IT skills are largely
developed through individual learning but with support
from key practical classes in each of the three years.
Quantitative analysis is developed through the core
methods courses and individual courses. Presentations
form an integral part of the degree; group and individual
presentations are required for many of the optional
courses. Self and peer assessment skills are developed
through the three year tutorial system.
Assessment:
Effective communication of ideas is an important
criterion in assessing all areas of students' work.
Detailed feedback, including a provisional grade, is
given for each piece of course work and for each tutorial
essay using standard forms. Both Tutor and student
assess selected transferable skills through the tutorial
system.
The products of skills 4, 6 and 7 are assessed through
coursework and extended essays, which, although
supervised, are nevertheless the results of independent
thought and work by the student. In addition, students
are required to provide an auto-critique of their report/
dissertation contributing to skill 7. Skill 5 is assessed
through the assembly of necessary information for
essays, etc., and their production on PCs and
workstations. Skills 2 and 3 are not formally assessed.
Skills 8 and 9 are assessed through the students'
abilities to synthesise quantitative, textual and graphic
data in essays and examinations. Skill 10 is assessed
through The report/ dissertation also provides a means
of assessing skills 1-9.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmarkstatements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Jurgen Essletzbichler
Name(s):
Date of Production:
27th January 2014
Date of Review:
27th October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
27 October 2015
November 2015