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BSc GEOGRAPHY (HUMAN AND PHYSICAL) WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • UCAS code
    F842
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

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

BSc Geography (Human and Physical) 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 Group.

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

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. 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.

Field classes are subsidised and you’re guaranteed a place on at least one field trip.

In addition to UK-based field work, we currently offer field classes to:

  • Naples, Italy, where you can climb Mount Vesuvius and learn about the historical impacts and future evacuation plans for volcanic eruptions.
  • Berlin, Germany, where you can explore neighbourhood spaces and social history.
  • Crete, Greece, where you can research the relationship between human activity and the environment – and the impact of tourism in particular.
  • 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.

Find out more about our field work:

  • Rory Fitz-Gerald, a recent graduate, went on a field class to Crete and says that “getting out into the world and seeing first-hand what you are learning about is invaluable.”

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 more information.

Overview

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

BSc Geography (Human and Physical) 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 Group.

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

Learning

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. 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.

Field classes are subsidised and you’re guaranteed a place on at least one field trip.

In addition to UK-based field work, we currently offer field classes to:

  • Naples, Italy, where you can climb Mount Vesuvius and learn about the historical impacts and future evacuation plans for volcanic eruptions.
  • Berlin, Germany, where you can explore neighbourhood spaces and social history.
  • Crete, Greece, where you can research the relationship between human activity and the environment – and the impact of tourism in particular.
  • 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.

Find out more about our field work:

  • Rory Fitz-Gerald, a recent graduate, went on a field class to Crete and says that “getting out into the world and seeing first-hand what you are learning about is invaluable.”

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 more 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 include:

  • Foundation in human geography
  • Human geography: principles and practice
  • Techniques in geography and environmental science

Optional modules include:

  • Biogeography and ecology
  • Climatology
  • Earth structure and processes
  • Economics 1
  • Environmental issues
  • Geomorphology
  • Humans and the environment
  • Hydrology
  • IWLP language module (details unspecified)
  • International development: global and local issues
  • Introduction to agricultural and food systems
  • Introduction to economic institutions and policy
  • Introduction to environmental science
  • Introduction to management
  • Sustainability and prosperity in a globalising world
  • The economics of climate change
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Research training
  • Research training for geographers

Optional modules include:

  • Culture, identity and place
  • Growth, degrowth and sustainability
  • Biogeography and conservation
  • Crete June field class
  • Crete September field class
  • Energy resources
  • Excel data management and analysis
  • Geographies of development
  • Geomorphological hazards
  • Human activity and environmental change
  • Human geography field class
  • Hydrological processes
  • Monitoring the Earth from space
  • Physical geography field class
  • Spatial data in the digital age
  • Web page development
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Professional placement year or Study Abroad.

Optional modules include:

  • Consumption, globalisation and sustainability
  • Work, employment and development
  • Air pollution: effects and control
  • Climate change
  • Dissertation (Study Abroad students)
  • ERASMUS exchange programme
  • Environmental modelling
  • Geographies of children and youth
  • Geography and environmental science dissertation
  • Glacial and periglacial geomorphology
  • International climate politics and justice
  • Modelling of marine ecosystems
  • Neighbourhood renewal and regeneration
  • Resilience for sustainable development
  • Socio-ecological transformations: theories and case studies
  • Water resources
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

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).

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.

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)

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Geography at the University of Reading

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CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2021/22
2022/23
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

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

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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