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BSc Geography (Human) with Professional Experience

  • UCAS code
    L723
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years Other: including a placement year
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years Other: including a placement year

Explore the relationship between human societies and the environments they inhabit with our BSc Geography (Human) with Professional Experience degree.

On this four-year course, you'll study the dynamics and differences in cultures, political systems, economies and landscapes, and discover the links between them.

Examine issues that are critical to our shared global future, including:

  • climate change
  • globalisation and international labour markets
  • social deprivation
  • water pollution.

You'll 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 studies will equip you with essential subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills, including:

  • qualitative and quantitative surveying techniques
  • design and implementation of fieldwork and research projects
  • teamworking, communication and leadership
  • GIS (Geographic Information System) and remote sensing
  • computer modelling
  • cartography
  • spatial analysis.

BSc Geography (Human) 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.

Your learning environment

At the University of Reading, you'll learn from internationally recognised academics in the 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.

Our research expertise feeds directly into the topics you will study throughout your degree, giving you access to the latest developments in human geography. Current projects include neighbourhood regeneration, resilience and sustainability, food and consumerism in the media, and responses to epidemics in third world countries.

  • Professor Hilary Geoghegan is leading the National Environment Research Council's £1.3m 'Community for Engaging Environments' project, which offers students the opportunity to get involved in professional research.

We'll support you to make a difference as you apply your lessons to what you're passionate about. Recent students have successfully campaigned 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) 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.
  • 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 the relationship between human societies and the environments they inhabit with our BSc Geography (Human) with Professional Experience degree.

On this four-year course, you'll study the dynamics and differences in cultures, political systems, economies and landscapes, and discover the links between them.

Examine issues that are critical to our shared global future, including:

  • climate change
  • globalisation and international labour markets
  • social deprivation
  • water pollution.

You'll 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 studies will equip you with essential subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills, including:

  • qualitative and quantitative surveying techniques
  • design and implementation of fieldwork and research projects
  • teamworking, communication and leadership
  • GIS (Geographic Information System) and remote sensing
  • computer modelling
  • cartography
  • spatial analysis.

BSc Geography (Human) 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

Your learning environment

At the University of Reading, you'll learn from internationally recognised academics in the 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.

Our research expertise feeds directly into the topics you will study throughout your degree, giving you access to the latest developments in human geography. Current projects include neighbourhood regeneration, resilience and sustainability, food and consumerism in the media, and responses to epidemics in third world countries.

  • Professor Hilary Geoghegan is leading the National Environment Research Council's £1.3m 'Community for Engaging Environments' project, which offers students the opportunity to get involved in professional research.

We'll support you to make a difference as you apply your lessons to what you're passionate about. Recent students have successfully campaigned 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) 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.
  • 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

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:

  • Contemporary Issues in Human Geography 
  • Introducing Human Geography 
  • Theories and Debates in Human Geography 
  • Techniques in Geography and Environmental Science 

Optional modules include:

  • Environmental Issues 
  • Contemporary World Cultures: An Introduction to Social Anthropology 
 
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Research Training for Geography and Environmental Science 
  • Field Class

Optional modules include:

  • Geographies of Development, Identity and Place
  • Nature, Society and Imaginaries of Degrowth 
  • Corporate Social Responsibility 
  • Energy Resources 
  • Analysing Social Data: Techniques and Applications 
 
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
  • Professional Experience

Core modules:

  • Dissertation

Optional modules include:

  • Culture and Development in Africa 
  • Consumption, Politics and Space 
  • Global Justice, Labour and Development 
  • Deathscapes and Dark Tourism 
  • The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property 
 
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

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

New international students: £20,300

*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, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or 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

Careers with BSc Geography (Human) with Professional Experience

Geography arms you with the ability to see the big picture. The intellectual, technical and team-working skills you develop during your degree are sought by employers – and 95% 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 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Geography and Environmental Science responders).

Your degree will provide the subject-specific and transferable skills required in a variety of careers, including wildlife conservation, renewable energy, urban and transport planning, and roles in the environmental and agricultural sectors. Your communication skills and desire to make a difference might lead you to work in the public sector, teaching, or for local or national government.

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

  • Citibank
  • Good Energy
  • Innovate UK
  • Jacobs
  • Mitchells & Butlers
  • Thames Teachers.

Geography is very tailor-made. I now have a degree relevant to everything I’m interested in and that’s something I love about it. It’s very 'you'.

Heather Cadden
BSc Geography (Human) graduate

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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