Bachelor of Geography and Planning

  • About the programme
  • Programme structure
  • Entry requirements
  • Tuition fees & scholarships
  • Career prospects

• Programme duration : 3 years
• Delivery language : French
• Degree awarded : Bachelor of Geography and Planning
• Accreditation : The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.
•    Deadline to apply : 22 August 2025

The Bachelor of Geography and Planning degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris and delivered by world-class academics in Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. It is an exclusive three-year programme and combines a solid foundation in physical, human and regional geography with further opportunities in other social and natural sciences.

This programme was created to provide the requisite scientific knowledge, concepts and methodologies for students to fully understand all aspects of the modern world, establish links between academic knowledge and the needs of sustainable development, locally and globally.

The curriculum focuses on professional work experience by offering numerous oportunities for internships locally and abroad in the fields of urbanism, sustainable development, risk management and territorial expertise.

The first two years are devoted to earth environment (relief, hydrography and climate) and 2 society spaces (from culture to economy). During the third year, students strengthen their skills with case studies (Asia, Middle East and Europe) and thematic courses (risks, logistics and transport, humanitarian and urbanism).

Students learn how to use and leverage professional cartography and data management tools: remote sensing, statistical data processing, geographical information system. A computing lab and individual tutoring sessions are available to students.

By the end of the programme, students will be able to understand major territorial stakes such as the environmental impacts of societies, urbanism, sustainable development, social inequalities, economic and tourism development and heritage protection.

The programme faculty are all internationally renowned professors whose teaching methodology goes beyond the traditional forms of teaching to ensure a balanced and well-rounded learning experience.

The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris.

Year 1

Semester 1

Modules Courses
Introduction to Geographic Analysis
  • Big Questions in Geography
  • Geographic Documents Analysis
Environmental Dynamics
  • How the Earth System Works
  • Coastal Environments
Territories and Societies
  • Distribution and Dynamics of Populations
    Space, Societies, and Culture
Elective Courses
  • 2 or 3 courses (including Language + French as Foreign Language if required)

Year 1

Semester 2

Modules Courses
Processes of the Earth System
  • Earth Climate Distribution and Evolution
  • Landforms and Landscapes
Development of Territories and Globalization
  • Economy and Development: From Global to Local
  • Challenges of Urban Development
Methods and Tools
  • Introduction to Digital Mapping
  • Practice of Geography
Elective Courses
  • 2 or 3 courses (including Language + French as Foreign
    Language if required)

Year 2

Semester 3

Modules Courses
Environment and Resource Management
  • Landforms Dynamic and Evolution
  • Water Resource Distribution and Managements
  • Agriculture and Food Resources
Political Power and Territorial Management
  • Spaces and Stakes of Power
  • Urban Planning
Professional Skills (1)
  • Computer-Aided Drawing/Computer-Assisted Design
  • Geographical Data Statistical Analysis
Elective Courses
  • 2 or 3 courses (including Language + French as Foreign Language if required)

Year 2

Semester 4

Modules Courses
Environmental Sustainability
  • Environmental Transition Challenges
  • Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation
Territories, Mobility, and Tourism
  • Multiscale Mobility Analysis
  • Tourism, Recreation, and Territories
Geopolitics
  • Geopolitics and Geostrategy of the World
Professional Skills (2)
  • Geographic Information System (Level 1)
  • Remote Sensing
Elective Courses
  • 2 or 3 courses (including Language + French as Foreign Language if required)

Year 3

Semester 5

Modules Courses
Analysis and Management of Environmental Dynamics
  • Long-Term Environmental Changes
  • Geographic Documents Analysis Risks and Societies
Urban Planning and Transport
  • Urban Planning and Projects
  • Transport Networks and Mobility
Muslim Culture and Territories
  • Muslim World
Professional Skills (3)
  • Multivariate Statistical Analysis
  • Supervised project
Elective Courses
  • 2 or 3 courses (including Language + French as Foreign Language if required)

Year 3

Semester 6

Modules Courses
Urban Biodiversity
  • From the Biosphere to the Urban Ecosystem
Territories, Culture, and Heritage
  • Regional Cultural and Social analysis
  • Territories and Heritage
Development and Global South
  • Emerging Countries
  • Humanitarian and Development
Professional Skills (4)
  • GIS (Level 2)
  • Internship travel
Elective Courses
  • 2 or 3 courses (including Language + French as Foreign Language if required)
To be eligible for this Bachelor’s degree, students must have the following:

  • French baccalaureate: minimum average of 12 out of 20.
  • Ministry of Education curriculum:
    General stream/Art stream: minimum average of 80%.
    Advanced stream/Elite stream/Science stream: minimum average of 75%.

  • Other high school systems: high school certificate equivalent to the UAE Ministry of Education high school with minimum average of 80% or equivalent
  • French Aptitude Certificate: minimum score of B2 level (DELF or DALF, SELFEE, TCF with a validity of 2 years, TEF with a validity of 2 years) or completion of SUAD university diploma DU in French language for non-French speakers. Students with a French Baccalaureate are exempted from the language proficiency exam.

Students not meeting the required French Aptitude Certificate will be admitted conditionally in the programme, and enrolled in the foundation year in intensive French providing they meet the above criteria:

Upon its successful completion, they will be admitted into the bachelor degree programme.

Other Countries Education’s Systems

Conditions apply on other foreign curriculums according to the admission’s policy set by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Please contact the Student Recruitment office by email: admissions@sorbonne.ae for more details.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is committed to considering applications from all students regardless of their country of origin, income, gender, religion or physical condition.

• Tuition fees (Including admin. fees – over 3 years):
 		AED 215,100 (approximately US$ 58,615)
• Payment of fees:
 		click here

*The fees presented for each program do not include administrative fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Scholarships*

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for Emirati students

Admitted Emirati nationals and children of Emirati mothers’ are awarded a full scholarship covering tuition and study related fees for their Bachelor Programmes (and Foundation year, if any)

Current high school students may apply through NAPO, whereas the graduates of previous years can apply on the Apply Now page.

Academic Excellence Scholarships (for the 1st semester of enrolment)

• 15% scholarship on tuition for the 1st semester of joining

New joiners with excellent academic results in high school are eligible following the below criteria. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

  • Government schools: 90% in the advanced stream, or 95% in the general stream.
  • American system: CGPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 or minimum average of 90%.
  • British system: “A” grade or higher in three “AS-Level” subjects or “A” in the equivalent “A-Level” Subjects, plus “B” grade or higher in six O level subjects.
  • SABIS: minimum average of 85%.
  • International Baccalaureate: IB diploma with minimum score of 5 out of 7 in all courses – three of those subjects must be higher-level courses.
  • French Baccalaureate: minimum average of 14 out of 20.

Academic Excellence Scholarship (starting from the 2nd semester of enrolment)

• 25%-75% Academic Excellence Scholarship

Based on the academic results obtained during the previous semester at SUAD, students are eligible to the academic excellence scholarship granted semester by semester. The scholarship scheme is progressive (25% to 75% and the minimum average grade to be eligible is 12/20. A specific scholarship is available for the 2nd semester of the Foundation Year. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Other Scholarships

10% French Curriculum Schools Scholarship for the 1st semester of enrolment

Students holding a French baccalaureate obtained in one of the GCC countries are eligible for a 10% discount for their first semester. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

Sponsored scholarships

Total, Chalhoub and Ardian Foundation, offer specific scholarships based on academic excellence and/or financial circumstances to selected students.

The deadline for submitting an application is communicated by University email each semester to all enrolled students. Applications are submitted via the online application form. Incomplete and late applications will not be assessed.

Scholarships can’t be combined. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Preferential rate: 10% Family discount

Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programme are eligible for a 10% discount.

*Conditions apply

The Bachelor in Geography and Planning helps students launch successful careers in various fields. A geographer’s skills of building, analysing and communicating an expertise on a territory is sought after in various professional sectors.

In the main, employment opportunities exist in Planning, Management,Architectural Firms, Environment Management Agencies, Geopolitics, Tourism and International Relations And Transport And Logistics. Some of our graduates enjoy rewarding careers locally and abroad in public institutions including ADEK, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Department of Culture and Tourism or Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities.

This degree provides graduates with several options to pursue further academic studies at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and other overseas institutions.

For more information, please contact:

The Career Centre
Tel: +971 (0) 2 656 9104/9342
Email: careercentre@sorbonne.ae

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