Welcome to Geography at CCCU! As part of the Natural and Applied Sciences section, you will study in a multidisciplinary environment with colleagues from a range of science courses. This is a new and dynamic Geography course that places emphasis on understanding the big geographical issues of our time and gaining the skills to apply that knowledge in a practical and useful way. Studying here in Canterbury, our local environment becomes our laboratory in which to study physical and human processes. Incorporating our incredible new laboratory facilities is also a key component of our course.

Dr Naomi Rintoul-Hynes
Course Director for Geography with Foundation Year

Key dates

Academic Calendar: Semesters

View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.  

Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to your Geography course at Canterbury Christ Church University.

You will have lots of opportunities to learn practical skills and work with us and your fellow students in your first few weeks. We pride ourselves that this is a very friendly and supportive place to study, so we believe you will have an enjoyable and productive time with us.

There are plenty of ways to keep up to date with the latest staff and student activities by checking out our social media accounts.

You can keep an eye on us via X (@cccugeography) and can join our Facebook page (Geography Geeks) at any time.

You can also find some of our videos, such as our Summertime Science YouTube channel, or by searching “Summertime Science” on our Facebook page.

If you have Instagram, follow our Faculty Instagram for regular updates.

We can’t wait to see you all when the academic year starts!

Getting started

We pride ourselves in Section of Natural and Applied Sciences (NAS) being a friendly place to study, where you feel engaged and well supported throughout your studies. We also focus on giving you practical experience and employability opportunities to make sure you get the most out of your time with us, so that when you leave us you will have the tools you need to tackle some of the world’s greatest scientific challenges.

In your first week

You will have a practical week where we will introduce you to our new lab facilities and get you started with developing your practical skills.

After that, we aim to structure the timetable so that you will only have to be in for one or two days a week for some weeks, three or four days in others, with one additional lab week later in the semester (these will appear in your timetable).

As part of your practical sessions, you will complete competencies that will enhance your employability and evidence your hands-on experience.

Attendance at these sessions is particularly important and we will support you in attending as much as you can.

The university year is made up of two semesters, one running from September - January, and the other from February - May. You will complete 3 modules in each Semester during your first year.

Foundation Year Core Modules:

Semester 1

  • Introduction to Biology
  • Introduction to Chemistry
  • Science Skills

Semester 2

  • Advancing Chemistry
  • Introduction to Global Environments
  • Advancing Biology

Suggested Summer Material

There's a huge range of material out there for you to explore, but Tim Marshall’s 2021 Sunday Times bestseller “The Power of Geography” makes for a great read and deals with numerous themes familiar to all geography students.

National Geographic and The Discovery Channel are great places to start watching documentaries about the earth we live on.

The best Geographers are those that have a really well-rounded view and knowledge of the world we live in and there is a huge range of media at your fingertips out there that can bring that world to you.

Community

On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!

CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18th September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.

We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.

You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friends here at CCCU.

If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.

Pre-course reading

A great book to buy that you will be able to use the whole way through your degree:

  • Kneale, P. (2019) Study Skills for Geographers, Earth and Environmental Science Students, 4th Edition, Routledge.

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers a 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts, recommended in the module handbooks that you will receive when you start in September.

We also advise you to look at the second-hand book market.

International student success programme

International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.

Contact details

If you have any queries, please feel to contact the Science Course Team at

Foundation.FSESS@canterbury.ac.uk

Course Director - Naomi Rintoul-Hynes

naomi.rintoul-hynes@canterbury.ac.uk