BSc Geography and Economics (Regional Science) with Professional Experience

Explore concepts of economics and human geography – from globalisation, consumerism and sustainability, to the handling of epidemics and political and economic responses to climate change – with our BSc Geography and Economics (Regional Science) with Professional Experience degree.

This interdisciplinary, four-year degree, led by experts from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science and the Department of Economics, examines issues that dominate the news and shape the world in which we live. An integrated placement year between your second and final year enables you to gain valuable real-world experience in the workplace.

You’ll address challenges across a range of scales – local, regional, national and global – from the spatial implications of economic processes, to the economic impact of social processes.

Develop your knowledge and expertise as you critically analyse:

• how resources are allocated and used, and the consequences for social and economic wellbeing
• the impact of consumerism and sustainability
• issues of work, employment and development
• how neighbourhoods and urban spaces are regenerated
• the application of micro-economics and macro-economics to globalisation.

We’ll support you to develop subject-specific and transferable skills, including:

• GIS and remote sensing
• modelling and cartography
• statistical and numerical analyses
• research techniques, including quantitative analysis, interviewing and ethnographic approaches
• teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Throughout your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to shape your learning and follow your individual interests through our wide range of optional modules.

Professional experience

This degree includes an integrated year in industry – between your second and final year – enabling you to experience the workplace, develop your skills, and gain insight into possible future careers.

Previous students have applied for placements with the Government Economic Service, supporting professional economists in a range of government departments, or joined accountancy or consulting firms to gain experience in the private sector.

Students have recently worked with organisations such as:

• The Environment Agency
• The Earth Trust
• Department of Education
• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• Bank of England
• Deloitte
• NHS England
• IBM.

Your placement will be supported by our dedicaed placement team, and you will also benefit from staff links with industry, including NGOs, local authorities and government departments.

Choose economics at the University of Reading

• Established for more than 50 years.
• 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).
• Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Your learning environment

At Reading, you’ll work with internationally renowned academics.

We address important and topical socioeconomic issues, creating research outputs that have been used by policy makers, which span:

• neighbourhood regeneration
• UK housing reform
• resilience and sustainability
• the gender wage gap
• food and consumerism in the media
• effects of migrant communities on social cohesion.

Our research has real-world application and feeds directly into our teaching, allowing you to study current topics of interest:

• Dr Stefania Lovo teaches the first-year module, Economics of Climate Change, which she updates each year to incorporate her research on climate change adaptation.
  
  
• Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans teaches the third-year module, Global Justice, Labour and Development, and uses real-world examples to engage her students in key issues such as child labour and precarious work.

Field classes

One of the most popular aspects of our BSc Geography and Economics (Regional Science) with Professional Experience course is its field classes.

In previous years, our students have had opportunities to get involved in field classes in the UK and abroad. The trips are a great way to gain valuable practical and research experience and build upon your learning.

Recent second-year field class destinations have included:

• Berlin, Germany, where you’ll take a city-wide tour of the Berlin Wall, explore contested neighbourhood spaces, and explore the social production of history.
• Almeria, Spain, where you can investigate the geology, hydrology, and soils, as well as the impact of human activity, including agriculture and tourism, and measures being taken to ensure sustainable development of the region.
• Naples, Italy, where you can explore volcanism and geohazards, historical development of the landscape and economy, viticulture, coastal processes and pollution, and tourism.
• Crete, Greece, where you can study agricultural soils and economies, and the impact of tsunamis and earthquakes.

Read about Rory Fitz-Gerald, who describes the field class to Crete as one of the highlights of his degree.

Study Abroad

Our Departments enjoy active links with approved partner universities in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

In the autumn term of your final year, you will have the chance to apply to study abroad for a term – either in the Netherlands (Groningen), Denmark (Aarhus), or Norway (University of Bergen or Svalbard).

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Visit the Study Abroad website for more information.