Southampton Geography Visit Days 2009-10

1. Southampton GeographyVisit Days 2009-10 Information for Parent & Guests Steven Pinch Admissions (BA) Professor of Geography

6. Southampton Geography: The Undergraduate Programmes • Teaching offered by leading researchers • Access to high quality learning resources for independent learning - library / internet / practicals • Fieldworks & overseas exchanges • Immersion within a dynamic learning community

7. The Southampton University: the Learning Environment • A spectrum of teaching forums: • Lectures • small group • supervisions • seminars • fieldwork • Opportunities to work on real world problems as well as theoretical issues (2nd year projects, final year dissertations) • Personal tutor system to provide support, monitor progress and assist students in the transition from School to University

8. Geography at Southampton 37academic staff 10 technical/school support 4 student support 15 researchers Each year…. 175 undergraduates ~30 Masters 6-8 PhD students

9. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: Economy, culture and space PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY: Environmental processes and change REMOTE SENSING & SPATIAL ANALYSIS

10. Human Geography at Southampton 10

11. Tracing Global Transformations • How are places being connected and transformed by global trade? • What about the people and places outside the dynamic zones of the global economy? • Can we challenge economic processes which structurally disadvantage particular communities?

12. Geography of Retail and Consumption • globalization of retailing, rise of transnational retail corporations & retailer-driven global sourcing networks • e-commerce and its impacts (the digital storm) • changing conditions of competition & regulation in the global retail industries • ethical trading initiatives and responsible global sourcing 12

13. Employment rate, 2001 Geographies of Health and Welfare • Why is life expectancy in some parts of Surrey and Sussex almost ten yearsgreater than some parts of northern Britain? • How and why does employment vary across the UK? • How effective are urban regeneration policies, and how can we measure their impact on local communities?

14. Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis

15. Remote sensing field measurements

16. Satellite mapping of Poverty, forest resources and degradation in Madagascar Tree basal area (m2.ha-1) 16

17. 250 km Predicted map of malaria in Kenya made using new GIS technology

18. Physical Geography at Southampton

19. Understanding climate change 2001 Briksdalsbreen, Norway 2006 • How do glaciers respond to climate change? • Are all glaciers retreating at the same rate?

20. Mekong river: modelling complex channel systems Modelled flooding extent and water depth for different river discharges. Proposed development will lead to flow regulation, e.g. dams. 20

21. Southampton Geography Courses • Single Honours Geography • BA : a core focus in human geography • BSc: a core focus in physical geography • In both cases: opportunity to study across the breadth of the discipline • Joint Honours Geography • Geography with Geology, Geography with Oceanography, Archaeology with Geography (NEW in 2010: Geography with Population Sciences)

22. BSc & BA GEOGRAPHY • First year foundation: physical and human geography • Year two: Core plus physical/human options • Year three: Dissertation plus physical/human options

23. Southampton Geography: Indicative First Year Timetable

24. BSc & BA GEOGRAPHY Level 2 & 3 optional units

25. International Exchange Programs • Canada • University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario www.uwo.ca • York University, Toronto, Ontario www.yorku.ca 25

26. International Exchange Programs • Erasmus • Hamburg, Germany • Geneva, Switzerland • Utrecht, Netherlands • Barcelona, Spain • Bonn, Germany • Rouen, France • Singapore • National University of Singapore (NUS) www.nus.edu.sg 26

27. Residential Fieldcourses 27

28. How is Southampton teaching ranked? 2008 National Student Survey (NSS) Results • Sector top 10 in human & physical geography • Overall levels of satisfaction are very high • School has improved in key areas: • Teaching • Academic resources • Organisation (Data from Times Higher & NSS)

29. External recognition of quality Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 • University came =12th • Geography came 12th (based on ‘medals table’)

30. External recognition of quality • Consistently a top ten Geography department over a range of league tables

31. External recognition of quality • Consistently ranked in the TOP 100 UNIVERSITIES in the World • QS World Ranking of Universities (http://www.topuniversities.com) – ranked 99th in 2009 • Ranking Web of World Universities (http://www.webometrics.info) – ranked 74th in July 2009 (12th in Europe)

32. The University: Context • A top research university • 20000 students, 5000 staff • Newly refurbished facilities • - university library • - sports centre • - student services building Photos: Steve Shrimpton

33. Campuses Main campus: Highfield Avenue campus: humanities Oceanography

34. Tuition Fees and Financial Support Accommodation Graduate Employment Admissions Practical Matters

35. 1a. Tuition Fees and Loans • Tuition fees are £3,225 per annum (new figures of 2009/10), but no longer paid ‘up front’ • Students can take up a studentloan to cover fees + help towards accommodation and living costs. Max of £ 8,175 (£ 3,225 tuition fees loan + £4,950 maintenance loan) per annum (09/10 figures) • The loan has to be repaid after graduation (at below commercial interest rates). You start repaying when you earn an income of £15,000 http//:www.directgov.gov.uk (Education and Learning page)

36. HOW TO APPLY FOR STUDENT FINANCE • The sooner the better, but you can apply up to nine months from the first day of your academic year • Best way is apply online. Register and then login at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation

38. On this web site you also find information on Maintenance Grants offered by the government. Based on the household income and you do not have to repay them back after graduation. Maximum of £ 2,906 per annum, BUT this reduces the amount you can borrow with your loan • There is also a financial calculator where you can enter your details to find out how much you can borrow

39. 1b. Financial Support • A range of financial support is available at the University level: • Scholarships (academic merit) • Bursaries (need-based)

40. a)School of Geography Scholarships Four types of awards: • 10 entry scholarships of £1k each, awarded on the basis of A level achievement (or equivalent) • 10 level 2 awards of £1k each, based on exam ranking • 10 level 3 awards of £1k each, based on exam ranking • 5 progress awards of £1k each, based on the difference between level one and level two performance, and satisfactory personal tutor reports

41. b) University of Southampton Bursaries • The University of Southampton has a number of bursaries to help students in most financial need: • if your household income is £21,500 or less per year, students may be eligible for £1,000 for every year of full-time registration to which the £3,145 tuition fee applies • if your household income is between £21,501 - £30,000, students may be eligible for £500 for every year of full-time registration to which the £3,145 tuition fee applies • Other bursaries are also available (e.g. Hampshire and IoW) http//:www.soton.ac.uk/study/feesandfunding/bursaries.html

42. 2. Accommodation • A range of options • catered vs. self-catered • ensuite vs. shared facilities • different prices • Two main complexes: Glen Eyre & Wessex Lane, plus other smaller sites (all Halls of Residence endorsed by the National Hospitality Assured Scheme) • Optional tour today, plus see brochure and website

43. 2. Accommodation Accommodation guarantee if: • You make Southampton your Firm choice • You normally live outside the Southampton city boundaries • Your residence application form is received by 1st August in the year in which your studies begin • You are unaccompanied, i.e. you do not bring any dependants, such as a partner and/or children

44. 2. Accommodation Fees for 2009/10 • For self catered accommodation the prices range from £71.40 per week to £166.95 per week. • For catered accommodation the prices range from £103.95 per week to £152.95 per week. They include: • Broadband • Bus Pass (UniLink) http://www.soton.ac.uk/accommodation

45. 3. Graduate Employment • Southampton as a recognised graduate employer • strong performance for graduate jobs • strong reputation with both national and international employers • Southampton geographers go on to • “Geography jobs”: environmental management, local government, city and regional planning, GIS, environmental consultancy, economic development work etc • “Graduate jobs”: financial services, management, local government, civil services, BBC, voluntary sector, marketing etc • Further education and research: Masters programmes, Law conversions, PGCE, PhDs • Geography as a strong first degree that opens doors

46. 4. Admissions • Each application is reviewed by a member of academic staff to evaluate its suitability for degree-level study in Geography and potential for broader contribution to the University • In 2008-09 there were 175 places (future expansion possibility) • Offers are made on the basis of academic performance to date and indications of future promise • Standard Offer AAB; IB=34 points; et cetera • When exam results are released in mid-August: • Those who meet the grades are automatically confirmed • Those who just miss the grades are ranked on the basis of achieved performance, subject mix, and qualitative indicators in School reference and personal statement. Places are offered to all candidates for whom there is availability. • Those who miss results significantly are generally declined and released to their ‘insurance choice’

47. Questions and Discussion