Geography Degrees and Careers
Geographers are among the most employable university graduates. Geography is an academically robust subject, due to it spanning both the physical and social sciences and the focus placed upon geographical skills such as the increasingly popular GIS technology and statistics.
Geography combines well with both arts and science subjects. Geography is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice. The Russell Group report (PDF) published in 2011 names geography as one of the eight facilitating subjects. This is a subject most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and choosing facilitating subjects will keep more options open to you at university. In 2015 The Guardian identified geography as the 'must-have A Level'.
The knowledge and transferable skills that geographers gain from their degree studies are highly relevant to the workplace; levels of geography graduate unemployment are extremely low at 7.4% (2010). You will find geographers working in every sector of the economy including finance, local businesses, not-for-profit organisations, significant research or as key decision makers in local and national government, highlighting the range of possibilities for geographers.
Geography combines well with both arts and science subjects. Geography is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice. The Russell Group report (PDF) published in 2011 names geography as one of the eight facilitating subjects. This is a subject most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and choosing facilitating subjects will keep more options open to you at university. In 2015 The Guardian identified geography as the 'must-have A Level'.
The knowledge and transferable skills that geographers gain from their degree studies are highly relevant to the workplace; levels of geography graduate unemployment are extremely low at 7.4% (2010). You will find geographers working in every sector of the economy including finance, local businesses, not-for-profit organisations, significant research or as key decision makers in local and national government, highlighting the range of possibilities for geographers.
Thinking about studying Geography at University?
University options and courses:
BA or BSc?
Firstly, an important distinction to make when looking at Geography courses is the course specialism. There are broadly two types of Geography degree. Geography (BA) or Geography (BSc). The BA or BSC part if the type of degree you will graduate with. BA stands for Bachelor of Arts and is generally a Human based degree whilst BSc stands for Bachelor of Science and is typically a Physical degree.
Whether you opt for a BA or BSc course will dictate what core modules you take but you are likely to be able to do both human and physical modules throughout your degree. Your dissertation will more than likely need to be in line with your chosen degree specialism (BA or BSc).
What university?
There are a lot of online tables that rank universities based on their Geography Course. A few to take a look at include:
However, the highest ranked University is not necessarily the best option for you. Things you might want to consider when looking at Geography courses include:
Most of this information can be found on University websites or University Student Unions’ websites. Many of the things listed above might not be important to you or you might not know the answer to them but start by simply having a look through the websites
BA or BSc?
Firstly, an important distinction to make when looking at Geography courses is the course specialism. There are broadly two types of Geography degree. Geography (BA) or Geography (BSc). The BA or BSC part if the type of degree you will graduate with. BA stands for Bachelor of Arts and is generally a Human based degree whilst BSc stands for Bachelor of Science and is typically a Physical degree.
Whether you opt for a BA or BSc course will dictate what core modules you take but you are likely to be able to do both human and physical modules throughout your degree. Your dissertation will more than likely need to be in line with your chosen degree specialism (BA or BSc).
What university?
There are a lot of online tables that rank universities based on their Geography Course. A few to take a look at include:
However, the highest ranked University is not necessarily the best option for you. Things you might want to consider when looking at Geography courses include:
- Department specialties – what areas of study does the Geography department specialise in? Climate Science? Urban studies? Economic Geography? Look at their websites and check out the different modules they offer and the lecturers/professors that run them. Are they at the fore front of the subject? Are they in line with your career aspirations or academic interests?
- Contact hours – how often do you have lectures/seminars? Or see your tutor?
- Department facilities – what are the IT facilities like? Are the laboratories new?
- Partnerships with other organisations – do they have links with outside groups? Groups like the British Antarctic Association or the Met Office or Royal Geographical Society or FTSE 100 companies
- Joint honours - Is it possible to study geography with another discipline? Example joint honours degrees could include Geography and Economics (BA), Geography and Chinese (BA) or Geography and Geology (BSc)
- Fieldwork Opportunities – where do they run fieldtrips? This is a great way to study geography in the real world whilst also getting to travel to places you might not otherwise get the opportunity to go to, both in the UK and abroad.
- Placements and internships – does the university offer work placements or years in industry as part of the course?
- Study abroad – could you complete part of your course in a different country? Australia, China, Sweden for example
- Student satisfaction scores – Do students rate the university and the course? Are there student run societies that also relate to your interests or career aspirations? Student Newspapers, Sports facilities, etc.
- Scholarships or Funding options – to they have scholarship or bursaries to help fund your studies?
Most of this information can be found on University websites or University Student Unions’ websites. Many of the things listed above might not be important to you or you might not know the answer to them but start by simply having a look through the websites
Maximising your grades:
- Revision is going to be key. Always create notes that you are able to revise from. No work should be scrap – everything should be a revision tool.
- Related to that keep you folder neat and organised. You should be able to find any piece of work in your folder
- Geographical language is very important. Learn the key terms and use them accurately.
- Read around the subject. You need to be reading good quality news articles daily; The Economist, The Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times and The Week are all good starting points. Think about how the articles you read are related to the course and how the course is interconnected
Personal Statement:
Your personal statement is you trying to convince a university admissions tutor that you should study at their university. They will be looking at your enthusiasm for the subject, your potential to succeed on the course and your rationale for studying Geography. How do you stand out from other candidates?
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