Geography degrees have a fantastic reputation and are popular amongst employers because graduates are analytical with a wide range of up-to-date knowledge on complex global processes. Geography is one of the broadest disciplines you can study at University, and relates to a wide range of careers.
- Teaching
- Geologist
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Aid worker
- Environmental Scientist
- Politician
- Volcanologist
- Meteorologist
- Architect
Where to find Geography job adverts
- Broadsheet daily and Sunday Newspapers, particularly the Guardian Media supplement
- The Economist magazine
Careers in Geography
Subjects to study at A Level:
Geography, and one other Humanities and Science subject. At A Level, Geography is considered both a Humanities and Science, and therefore is accepted by most universities for entry into both BA and BSc programmes.
Subjects to particularly consider:
English, History, Religious Studies, Economics, Environmental Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.
Wider reading:
In terms of Human Geography, reading the news will help develop your wider environmental and political knowledge needed to study Geography at a higher level. National Geographic is also useful for a range of reading on Physical and Human geography.
Top universities:
All leading UK universities offer Geography as both a BA and BSc. The top 10 UK Universities for Geography according to the Complete University Guide are:
- Cambridge
- Oxford
- London School of Economics
- St Andrews
- Durham
- University College London (UCL)
- Exeter
- Edinburgh
- Loughborough
- Leeds
(check UCAS website for entry requirements for these universities: www.ucas.com)
Top Tips:
You can also take Geography with a wide variety of other subjects, and entry requirements are often lower. Geography is often studied alongside Environmental Science, Sports Science, Languages, Earth Sciences, Geology, Geophysics, and Politics.
Geography is often considered one of the broadest subjects you can study at University, and as a result has one of the highest employability rates. Gumtree recently completed a poll of employers with the results showing that work experience makes you 95% more employable. The good news carries on, two thirds of employers think candidates with work experience were more knowledgeable, 44% think they are more confident and 40% say they are more committed.
Useful websites for Geography related work placements and internships:
- www.inspiringinterns.com
- https://www.gov.uk/find-internship
- www.milkround.com
- www.interwise.co.uk
- www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office/about/recruitment
- https://www.lse.ac.uk/
- www.ratemyplacement.co.uk
- www.civilservice.gov.uk/networks/ges/student-placements
- www.prospects.ac.uk