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

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  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
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  • Economics
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  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

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  • Pharmacology
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  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
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  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
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  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

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  • Creative Writing

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  • Economics
  • Education
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  • Engineering
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  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
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  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
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  • Graphic Design

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  • Management
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  • Meteorology and Climate
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  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
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  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

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

BSc Geography (Human and Physical)

  • UCAS code
    F841
  • A level offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Explore our natural and human worlds – and the complex relationships between the two – with our BSc Geography (Human and Physical) degree.

By combining your study of human and physical geographies, you can explore a hugely diverse range of topics. For example, you can examine:

  • the differences and dynamics of political systems and cultures
  • sustainable development of urban spaces
  • the way the natural environment responds to – and recovers from – change.

This three-year course also offers you the chance to help address issues critical to our shared global future, including:

  • climate change
  • natural disasters
  • social inequalities
  • poverty.

At Reading, our geography research feeds directly into our teaching, so you’ll study current topics of interest in the field. You’ll also work with internationally renowned academics, whose projects investigate topics like neighbourhood regeneration, resilience and sustainability, food and consumerism in the media, and responses to epidemics in developing countries.

You will 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.

Your learning environment

You’ll learn from internationally recognised academics in the University of Reading’s Department of Geography and Environmental Science. In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students studying BSc Geography (Human and Physical) said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things. Our experts are researching issues of global importance, including:

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

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.

We’ll support you to make a difference as you apply your lessons to what you’re passionate about. For example, recent students have campaigned successfully for the University’s students’ union to stop using plastic straws, and participated in a community action group to improve public transport for local socially deprived areas.

  • 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 Geography (Human and Physical) degree are its field classes.

All of our compulsory field classes are heavily subsidised by the Department, and the cost of the first-year Southern England class and second-year Scotland class are included in your fees.

We currently offer field classes to:

Year one

  • Southern England - study a range of social, cultural, economic and environmental issues.

Year two

  • Stirling, Scotland - expand your knowledge of geomorphology, environmental change and nature restoration.

Year three

  • Berlin, Germany - explore neighbourhood spaces and social history.
  • Iceland - study volcanic processes and glaciology, energy resources, and the history of the landscape.
  • Nanjing, China - improve your understanding of approaches used to address a range of environmental issues.
  • Southern England and Wales - explore the inter-relationships between a range of social, economic and environmental problems.

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 semester – 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 more information.

Placements with BSc Geography (Human and Physical)

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for placements during your degree. Opportunities include year-long and summer placements.

You’ll have opportunities 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 Group.

You can also choose to spend a year on a professional placement (between your second and final year) with our four-year BSc Geography (Human and Physical) with Professional Experience degree.

Overview

Explore our natural and human worlds – and the complex relationships between the two – with our BSc Geography (Human and Physical) degree.

By combining your study of human and physical geographies, you can explore a hugely diverse range of topics. For example, you can examine:

  • the differences and dynamics of political systems and cultures
  • sustainable development of urban spaces
  • the way the natural environment responds to – and recovers from – change.

This three-year course also offers you the chance to help address issues critical to our shared global future, including:

  • climate change
  • natural disasters
  • social inequalities
  • poverty.

At Reading, our geography research feeds directly into our teaching, so you’ll study current topics of interest in the field. You’ll also work with internationally renowned academics, whose projects investigate topics like neighbourhood regeneration, resilience and sustainability, food and consumerism in the media, and responses to epidemics in developing countries.

You will 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.

Learning

Your learning environment

You’ll learn from internationally recognised academics in the University of Reading’s Department of Geography and Environmental Science. In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students studying BSc Geography (Human and Physical) said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things. Our experts are researching issues of global importance, including:

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

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.

We’ll support you to make a difference as you apply your lessons to what you’re passionate about. For example, recent students have campaigned successfully for the University’s students’ union to stop using plastic straws, and participated in a community action group to improve public transport for local socially deprived areas.

  • 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 Geography (Human and Physical) degree are its field classes.

All of our compulsory field classes are heavily subsidised by the Department, and the cost of the first-year Southern England class and second-year Scotland class are included in your fees.

We currently offer field classes to:

Year one

  • Southern England - study a range of social, cultural, economic and environmental issues.

Year two

  • Stirling, Scotland - expand your knowledge of geomorphology, environmental change and nature restoration.

Year three

  • Berlin, Germany - explore neighbourhood spaces and social history.
  • Iceland - study volcanic processes and glaciology, energy resources, and the history of the landscape.
  • Nanjing, China - improve your understanding of approaches used to address a range of environmental issues.
  • Southern England and Wales - explore the inter-relationships between a range of social, economic and environmental problems.

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 semester – 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 more information.

Placements with BSc Geography (Human and Physical)

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for placements during your degree. Opportunities include year-long and summer placements.

You’ll have opportunities 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 Group.

You can also choose to spend a year on a professional placement (between your second and final year) with our four-year BSc Geography (Human and Physical) with Professional Experience degree.

Entry requirements A Level BBB

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

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Skills in Geography and Environmental Science
  • Global Challenges
  • Field Class
  • Restless Planet
  • Geographical Imaginaries

Optional modules:

  • Approaching Human Geography
  • Landscapes and Resources
  • Data Environment
  • Contemporary World Cultures: An Introduction to Social Anthropology
  • Towards Sustainability: Positive Action for a Better World

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Skills Training and Project Design
  • Field Class 

Optional modules:

  • Energy Resources
  • Earth Processes and Hazards
  • Living Together: Social and Cultural Geographies 
  • Environment and Development
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Analysing Social Data
  • Monitoring the Earth from above
  • Water in the Earth System
  • Climate and Environmental Change
  • Encountering Political Geographies

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Dissertation

Optional modules:

  • Physical Geography Field Class
  • Environmental Science Field Class
  • Geography and Environmental Science Field Class
  • Human Geography Field Class
  • Climate Change and the Geography of Responsibility
  • Consumption, Politics and Space
  • Water Resources
  • Deathscapes and Dark Tourism
  • Tropical Rainforests and Lost Civilisations
  • Air Pollution
  • Coastal and Estuarine Management
  • Volcanic Hazards and Risk Management

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

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

New international students: £27,650

*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.

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 92% of graduates from Geography and Environmental Science are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21; includes all Geography and Environmental Science responders).

You may choose to follow an interest in natural resources by working in renewable energy, or the environmental and agricultural sector. Your communication skills and desire to make a difference might lead you to work in the public sector, teaching, or for the government. Contribute your skills to improving urban and transport planning, or join a career path where a geography degree is highly regarded, such as construction and engineering.

Recent BSc Geography (Human and Physical) graduates have gone on to work for organisations including:

  • Alchemy Energy Partners
  • Atkins
  • The Building Research Establishment
  • Explore Learning
  • Birmingham City Council
  • Push Energy
  • i-Transport.

Geography at the University of Reading

Students in the lab, University of Reading

Attend our geography taster day

Wednesday 19 July 2023

At this free event on our main Whiteknights campus, you will sample lectures and practical sessions, work alongside other students interested in your subject, meet our enthusiastic staff, and get a real feel for life at the University of Reading.

Booking for this event will open in June. To register for early access, complete our short online form.


Take the next step



How to apply for 2024 entry

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

As a well-rounded course, you can acquire a range of skills and knowledge that are applicable to many different potential career paths.

Rory Fitz-Gerald
BSc Geography (Human and Physical)

Related Subjects


  • Geography

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