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BSc Geography (Physical)

  • UCAS code
    F840
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

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

This three-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.

Your learning environment

The University of Reading is the 8th highest ranking UK university for Physical Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 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 Geography (Physical) 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.

Placements with BSc Geography (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 such as:

  • Thames Water
  • Hydro-Logic
  • Dyer & Butler
  • Environment Agency
  • Earth Trust
  • West Berkshire Wildlife Group
  • Natural England.

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

Overview

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

This three-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.

Learning

Your learning environment

The University of Reading is the 8th highest ranking UK university for Physical Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 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 Geography (Physical) 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.

Placements with BSc Geography (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 such as:

  • Thames Water
  • Hydro-Logic
  • Dyer & Butler
  • Environment Agency
  • Earth Trust
  • West Berkshire Wildlife Group
  • Natural England.

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

Core modules

  • Techniques in Geography and Environmental Science
  • Climatology
  • Geomorphology

Optional modules

  • Introduction to Environmental Science 
  • Biogeography and ecology
  • Contemporary Issues in Human Geography 
  • Hydrology 
  • Our Dynamic Earth
  • Data Environment
  • Introducing Human Geography 
  • Environmental Issues
  • Introduction to Quaternary Science
  • Earth Lab
  • Soils in the Environment

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules

  • Research Training for Geography and Environmental Science 
  • Geography and Environmental Science Field Class 3 

Optional modules

  • Analysing Social Data: Techniques and Applications 
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Geographies of Development, Identity and Place
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Soil Ecology and Functions 
  • Hydrological Processes
  • Nature, Society and Imaginaries of Degrowth
  • Monitoring the Earth from Space 
  • Natural Hazards
  • Geological Resources 
  • Energy Resources 
  • Quaternary Climate and Environmental Change 
  • Geographical Information Systems 
 
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules

  •  Dissertation

Optional modules

  • Carbon and Global Change
  • Culture and Development in Africa
  • Water Resources
  • Air Pollution: Effects and Control
  • Consumption, Politics and Space
  • Deathscapes and Dark Tourism
  • Preparing for Floods 
  • Climate Change
  • Ecosystems Modelling 
  • Global Justice, Labour and Development 
  • Environmental Pollution 
  • Volcanic Hazards and Risk Management 
  • Tropical Rainforests, Climate and Lost Civilisations 
  • Iceland Expeditionary Field Class 
  • China Environmental Analysis Field Class 
     

Fees

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

New international students: £24,500

*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.

rmation 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 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).

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) 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.

BSc Geography (Physical)

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)

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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