Discover more about how the earth works, and how we humans interact with the world.
Whether you want to help prevent climate change and natural disasters, or improve quality of life and overpopulation, a geography degree will equip you to make a difference.
There are two elements to geography, which you can combine:
- physical geography focuses on the earth and its natural elements
- human geography studies how people interact with the world
You could work in a variety of different fields, from digital technologies, mapping and statistics, to ecology, sustainability, and tourism. But you’ll also have transferable skills that could see you work in teaching, finance, or planning. Geography has one of the highest employability rates of all undergraduate degrees.
The impact you could make
- Work in international development to tackle societal and environmental issues..
- Play your part in the UK’s Net Zero goals as an environmental manager or consultant.
- Oversee the geographical information systems that help us manage road traffic, access to healthcare, and flood defences.
What you could study
- Environmental change
- Health, space, and justice
- Contemporary human geography
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
- Wilderness and habitats
- Natural resource management
- Water science and management
- Sustainable development: Nature and city
- Globalisation and regional development
- Statistics
84% of students
are highly likely to recommend geography to others, based on their experience of studying it so far
(UCAS subject guide survey 2023)
Example module
“Sustainability, sustainable development and human/environment interactions.”
Second year geography student, University of Chester
Example assignment
“Working with GIS to represent global changes due to climate change and anthropogenic contributions.”
Second year geography with economics student, Loughborough University
Geography
Science
Politics
Sociology
Hard skills you'll develop
- Environmental science
- Project management
- Geology
- Risk analysis
Soft skills you'll develop
- Management
- Communication
- Planning
- Report writing
Available jobs
54,236 vacancies in the past year
5.03% growth over next eight years
Average salary
£33,913
Up to £56,660
What is a... climatologist?
You may never have heard of a climatologist, but they study weather patterns over a long period of time – analysing and presenting data on past patterns and future weather predictions. The information they produce can be used to better understand issues like climate change and natural disasters. You might get to work in some far-flung places too, like the North Pole, or Chilean desert!
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study geography at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from geography applicants.
A levels
BBB
Scottish Highers
AABBB
Vocational
BTEC DDD
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
Geographers are driving positive change by tackling global challenges and applying their knowledge, techniques and skills to a range of contexts, across many sectors. As a geographer you might be assessing and advising on geopolitical risk and international relations, biodiversity loss, extreme weather, local environment and planning, or helping to make buildings, transport or food more sustainable. If you care about people and our planet and want to understand your place in the world better, then geography is the home for you.
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Royal Geographical Society
Take a look at the Royal Geographical Society’s website to find out more about what geography is, why you should study it, what careers you could do, and other resources you can use. -
Where on Earth will people live in the future?
This TED talk focuses on human geography and future habitation. There are other TED talks around climate change, sustainability, and cartography – an easy way to swot up on geography issues! -
Kiss the Ground
Watch this Netflix film for an insight into one aspect of climate change – how agriculture and other practices impact our soil, and potential solutions. -
Geological Society
Find out about potential work placements via the Geological Society’s website.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- Talk about what attracted you to geography, and if there’s a particular area of the subject you’re interested in, such as human geography. Make sure your preferences link in to the course you’re applying to.
- Can you give examples of any of the technical or transferable skills that are associated with studying geography? Maybe during your A levels you’ve found you’re good at problem solving, data analysis, or computing.
- Teamwork will also be important, so mention when you’ve worked well with others, whether in a part-time job, sport, or hobby.
- Have you got any relevant experience, maybe volunteering for the National Trust or the Environment Agency? Or could you get a summer placement with an energy company or government department?
- Show you can also manage your own time well. Have you balanced a part-time job or caring responsibilities with school work? Or maybe you compete in a sport at a high level, that requires a balance between home and school life.