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BSc GEOGRAPHY (PHYSICAL) WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • UCAS code
    F839
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

Examine the processes and patterns that shape the natural world around us with our BSc Geography (Physical) with Professional Experience degree.

This four-year course will deepen your understanding of how our physical environment works, responds, and adapts to change. It also offers you the chance to help address issues critical to our shared global future, including:

  • climate change
  • natural disasters
  • weather systems.

You'll explore our physical world's diverse landscapes and environments through the study of:

  • hydrology
  • climatology
  • hazards
  • soils
  • biogeography.

You'll also have the flexibility to decide where to focus your attention as your degree progresses, so you can adapt the degree to suit your interests as they evolve.

BSc Geography (Physical) with Professional Experience placement year

A key component of this degree is a year-long professional placement, which occurs between your second and final year. Placements can help enhance your employability and build your network.

Other opportunities include summer placements and the chance to work with partner organisations on research projects, with some of our recent students working with organisations such as:

  • Thames Water
  • Environment Agency
  • Reading Borough Council
  • Earth Trust
  • Reading Buses
  • West Berkshire Wildlife Trust.

Visit the Geography and Environmental Science placements page for more information.

Your learning environment

The University of Reading is the joint 12th highest-ranking UK university for physical sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2020, by subject).

At Reading, you'll learn from internationally recognised academics in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. Our experts are researching matters of global importance, including:

  • sustainability
  • hydrology, landscapes and ecology
  • paleoecology
  • glaciology.

This research feeds directly into the topics you study, placing you at the cutting-edge of developments in the field.

  • Professor Frank Mayle is working to reconstruct the history of the Amazon rainforests, removing long cores of sediment from the earth for microscopic analysis of their content to learn about the long-term dynamics of rainforest ecosystems.

Develop technical laboratory skills to help apply your knowledge in areas such as modelling, surveying and measurement, and technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information System) and remote sensing. You'll gain experience in the field, ensuring you have a balance of practical and theoretical skills.

We'll support you to make a difference as you apply your lessons to what you're passionate about. For example, recent students campaigned successfully for the University's students' union to stop using plastic straws.

  • Read about Jack Abrey, a recent graduate who travelled to Madagascar with WaterAid and the Scouts to help improve access to clean water and safe toilets across the country.

You'll have opportunities to work on research projects within the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science and other departments across the University.

You can also join GeogSoc, a student-run society for geography and environmental science undergraduates. As one of the University's largest student societies, GeogSoc is a great way to meet people, build your network, and participate in events like club nights, quizzes, and the annual summer and winter formals.

Field classes

One of the most popular components of our BSc Georgraphy (Physical) with Professional Experience are its field classes.

You’ll have the opportunity to travel throughout the UK and abroad, putting theory into practice and gaining valuable research and practical experience. 

Recent field class destinations have included:

  • Naples, Italy, where you can climb Mount Vesuvius and learn about the historical impacts and future evacuation plans for volcanic eruptions.
  • Crete, Greece, where you can research and model flood activity.
  • Iceland, where you can study the geomorphology of the area, the history of the landscape, and aspects of the archaeological and cultural history of human activity on the island.
  • Almeria, Spain, where you can investigate the geology, hydrology, and soils.

We are also developing additional field classes to Africa and Latin America.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe. For example, recent destinations have included Melbourne, Australia and Ottawa, Canada.

In the autumn of your final year, you'll also have the chance to study abroad for a term – either in the Netherlands (Groningen), Denmark (Aarhus), or Norway (Bergen or Svalbard). All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Visit our Study Abroad website for further information.

Overview

Examine the processes and patterns that shape the natural world around us with our BSc Geography (Physical) with Professional Experience degree.

This four-year course will deepen your understanding of how our physical environment works, responds, and adapts to change. It also offers you the chance to help address issues critical to our shared global future, including:

  • climate change
  • natural disasters
  • weather systems.

You'll explore our physical world's diverse landscapes and environments through the study of:

  • hydrology
  • climatology
  • hazards
  • soils
  • biogeography.

You'll also have the flexibility to decide where to focus your attention as your degree progresses, so you can adapt the degree to suit your interests as they evolve.

BSc Geography (Physical) with Professional Experience placement year

A key component of this degree is a year-long professional placement, which occurs between your second and final year. Placements can help enhance your employability and build your network.

Other opportunities include summer placements and the chance to work with partner organisations on research projects, with some of our recent students working with organisations such as:

  • Thames Water
  • Environment Agency
  • Reading Borough Council
  • Earth Trust
  • Reading Buses
  • West Berkshire Wildlife Trust.

Visit the Geography and Environmental Science placements page for more information.

Learning

Your learning environment

The University of Reading is the joint 12th highest-ranking UK university for physical sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2020, by subject).

At Reading, you'll learn from internationally recognised academics in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. Our experts are researching matters of global importance, including:

  • sustainability
  • hydrology, landscapes and ecology
  • paleoecology
  • glaciology.

This research feeds directly into the topics you study, placing you at the cutting-edge of developments in the field.

  • Professor Frank Mayle is working to reconstruct the history of the Amazon rainforests, removing long cores of sediment from the earth for microscopic analysis of their content to learn about the long-term dynamics of rainforest ecosystems.

Develop technical laboratory skills to help apply your knowledge in areas such as modelling, surveying and measurement, and technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information System) and remote sensing. You'll gain experience in the field, ensuring you have a balance of practical and theoretical skills.

We'll support you to make a difference as you apply your lessons to what you're passionate about. For example, recent students campaigned successfully for the University's students' union to stop using plastic straws.

  • Read about Jack Abrey, a recent graduate who travelled to Madagascar with WaterAid and the Scouts to help improve access to clean water and safe toilets across the country.

You'll have opportunities to work on research projects within the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science and other departments across the University.

You can also join GeogSoc, a student-run society for geography and environmental science undergraduates. As one of the University's largest student societies, GeogSoc is a great way to meet people, build your network, and participate in events like club nights, quizzes, and the annual summer and winter formals.

Field classes

One of the most popular components of our BSc Georgraphy (Physical) with Professional Experience are its field classes.

You’ll have the opportunity to travel throughout the UK and abroad, putting theory into practice and gaining valuable research and practical experience. 

Recent field class destinations have included:

  • Naples, Italy, where you can climb Mount Vesuvius and learn about the historical impacts and future evacuation plans for volcanic eruptions.
  • Crete, Greece, where you can research and model flood activity.
  • Iceland, where you can study the geomorphology of the area, the history of the landscape, and aspects of the archaeological and cultural history of human activity on the island.
  • Almeria, Spain, where you can investigate the geology, hydrology, and soils.

We are also developing additional field classes to Africa and Latin America.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe. For example, recent destinations have included Melbourne, Australia and Ottawa, Canada.

In the autumn of your final year, you'll also have the chance to study abroad for a term – either in the Netherlands (Groningen), Denmark (Aarhus), or Norway (Bergen or Svalbard). All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Visit our Study Abroad website for further information.

Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

BBB

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM 

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Core modules

  • Climatology
  • Hydrology
  • Geomorphology
  • Biogeography and soils
  • Environmental issues
  • Geographical techniques

Optional modules

  • Environmental science
  • Chemistry of the Earth and environment
  • Environment and development
  • Society and nature
  • Archaeology
  • Land planning and development
  • European integration
  • A language (through the Institution-Wide Language Programme)
  • Management
  • Other human geography modules or approved modules from other departments

Core modules

  • Research training for geographers
  • Research training
  • Physical geography field class

Optional modules

  • Web page development
  • Spatial data in the digital age
  • Monitoring the Earth from space
  • Geographies of development
  • Culture, identity and place
  • Energy resources
  • Growth, degrowth and sustainability
  • Geomorphological hazards
  • Biogeography and conservation
  • Human activity and environmental change
  • Hydrological processes
  • Approved module from another department or human geography module

Professional placement year or Study Abroad.

Core modules

  • Dissertation

Optional modules

  • Air pollution: effects and control
  • Aquatic environments: problems and management
  • Biodiversity and conservation field class
  • Climate change
  • Resilience for sustainable development
  • Environmental modelling
  • Glacial and periglacial geomorphology
  • Water resources
  • Erasmus+ exchange programme
  • Carbon and global change
  • Contaminated land management
  • Neighbourhood renewal and regeneration
  • Resilience for sustainable development
  • Approved modules from other departments

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year

New international students: £23,700 per year

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Placement Year fees

If you spend a full year on placement – including professional and research placements and industrial experience – you’ll pay a discounted tuition fee for that year.

For more information, please contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Geography arms you with the ability to see the big picture. The intellectual, technical and team-working skills and knowledge you develop during your degree are sought by employers– and 95% of our graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2017/18, based on first degree responders from geography and environmental science).

Add your voice to the development of renewable energy, protect ecological diversity by joining a wildlife conservation organisation, or provide support and planning to mitigate natural disasters through flood relief. You could lend your skills to a career in national government or NGOs, channel a passion for science into teaching, or join one of the many sectors where a geography degree is highly regarded, such as construction and engineering.

Recent BSc Geography (Physical) with Professional Experience graduates have gone on to work for organisations including:

  • Department of Education, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Dynasafe BACTEC
  • Infrastructure Design Studio
  • WSP Global
  • North Somerset District Council.

Read about Charlie Mariner, a recent graduate, who uses the technical skills acquired during his degree in his career as a Catastrophe Risk Analyst.

Physical geography is relevant to the modern world and its constant ability to change. The staff at Reading are encouraging and enthusiastic, always prepared to lend a hand and point you in the right direction.

Chris Page

BSc Geography (Physical)

About the Department


Visit the Department of Geography and Environmental Science website

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View all Geography degree courses courses
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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