Geography (Human and Physical) BSc (Hons)

On this BSc Human and Physical Geography course you will learn the relationships between human and physical processes.You will have the opportunity to explore many different aspects of geography, from climate change and water pollution to food security, social justice and human development. You will be supported by internationally recognised academics in each of these fields and will also gain technical laboratory skills.On this degree, you will work with renowned and respected academics in a ... READ MORE

On this BSc Human and Physical Geography course you will learn the relationships between human and physical processes.You will have the opportunity to explore many different aspects of geography, from climate change and water pollution to food security, social justice and human development. You will be supported by internationally recognised academics in each of these fields and will also gain technical laboratory skills.On this degree, you will work with renowned and respected academics in a supportive environment and gain technical laboratory skills. Current projects involve neighbourhood regeneration, resilience and sustainability, food and consumerism in the media, and responses to epidemics in third world countries.Field classes are one of the most popular aspects of this degree and include trips to Naples and Berlin, the island of Crete, and Almeria in Spain. Field classes are subsidised and you will be guaranteed a place on at least one field trip. We are also developing additional field classes to Iceland, Africa and Latin America.By your final year, you will be able to specialise in the areas that are interesting and important to you. You will have the opportunity to work with greatly respected academics from other departments on real research projects and a dissertation.Our study abroad programme offers you the opportunity to apply to study at one of our partner universities in Europe, Australia, Canada or the USA. Recent destinations for study abroad include Melbourne, Australia and Ottawa, Canada. You can also choose to take a year of professional experience as part of your degree between second and third year.PlacementThis course provides opportunities for you to work with partner organisations on research projects. Recent examples include Thames Water, the Environment Agency, Reading Borough Council, the Earth Trust, Reading Buses and West Berkshire Wildlife Group.You will benefit from the links that members of staff have with industry and with external organisations such as NGOs, local authorities, and government departments. Most recently, a final year student undertook field work for her dissertation at the Environmental Studies Centre in Cyprus, benefiting from the expertise and facilities available in a challenging and exciting environment overseas.In the autumn term of your final year, you will have the chance to study abroad for a term – either in the Netherlands (Groningen), Denmark (Aarhus), or Norway (University of Bergen or Svalbard). All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.CareersOverall, 91% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey, 2016–17). Our degrees give you the specific and general transferable skills needed for a range of careers in areas such as renewable energy, wildlife conservation, urban and transport planning, biodiversity and climatology, as well as careers where a geography degree is highly regarded, such as surveying and architecture.You can undertake a work or research placement as part of your course and there are numerous opportunities to work on research projects with partner organisations such as Thames Water, the Environment Agency, Reading Borough Council, the Earth Trust and Natural England. Recent placement and internship projects involved neighbourhood regeneration, resilience and sustainability, food and consumerism in the media and responses to epidemics in poorer countries. You can enhance your degree with a full year of professional experience between your second and third year of study.