Geography Degrees
A subject vital to our perception of the world around us, geography helps us to understand the changes that are happening to our world. This includes the impact that both natural and man-made events and factors are having. If you study geography, it is likely that you will choose between a focus on physical geography and human geography. This will affect the subject areas you study, and can influence your career choices after graduation.
About Geography
Accreditation
The accreditation of your degree will depend on the institution you choose to study at. It will also be influenced by your level of study, and the specific content of your course. At undergraduate level, you can expect to be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or an integrated Master of Science (MSci).
Duration
Generally, an undergraduate degree will take three to four years to complete, depending on where you choose to study.
Your institution may offer part-time study options, which usually means that your degree will take four to six years. You may also be able to take a foundation programme, which is useful if you do not meet the entry requirements for your degree.
Fees
Annual tuition fees for UK students are capped by the UK government. For the 2019/20 academic year, they are £9,250. This is subject to change each year, and will be updated on your institution website.
The fees displayed below are an example of typical annual tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate geography degrees. Actual tuition fees can be found on the institution webpages.
Typical Annual Tuition Fees
- Undergraduate - £9,250
Topics Covered
Undergraduate
An undergraduate degree will provide you with a foundation of knowledge in the main areas of geography. You might study modules on human and physical geography, earth science, environmental change, cultural and historical geography, and global climate change. The majority of undergraduate courses will be designed to suit students who do not have a vast amount of experience in geography, as well as challenging those who have previously studied geography. Your degree will be delivered through lectures and tutorials, and will incorporate field trips. You may be presented with the opportunity to take part in a work placement module, but this depends on your institution. Depending on your course, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. Assessment methods can include written work, group projects, and presentations.
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for a geography degree will depend on where you choose to study. It will also be influenced by the content of your course, and the level of study that you are applying for. An undergraduate degree will require you to have a background in geography, with some accepting other qualitative subjects, such as history, sociology, English, and history. If you do not have a strong background in geography, but can prove that you are passionate about the subject area, some universities might still consider your application. You can display this through your personal statement or an interview.
Typical Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
- A Level Grades - AAA-BBB
- UCAS Points - 144-120 UCAS points
- Required/Desired Subjects - Geography, History, English, Sociology
Career Prospects
Graduates of geography will find that there are many career opportunities available to them. It is most common for geography graduates to work within qualitative roles. If you choose to work in a role directly related to geography, you might wish to work in GIS planning, town planning, cartography, water management, surveying, and transport services. If you wish to work in a role not directly related to geography, you may choose to work in teaching, the media, IT, logistics, and finance and banking.
Throughout your degree, you will have gained a wide range of transferable skills that will be useful in a variety of industries. You will develop your qualitative and quantitative skills, preparing you for roles involving both areas. As well as this, you will gain skills such as data collection and analysis, problem solving, idea development, project management, and effective communication.
