Geography is quite simply the study of the Earth; its people, places, landscapes and environment, and its Greek meaning is “to write about the Earth”. The study of geography is typically divided into two branches; human geography and physical geography. Human geography is the study of patterns and processes that shape the human society. It explores the relationships between humans and the environment, and tracks the patterns that can shape human society. Sub-categories include: Physical geography is the study of the Earth’s surface such as the hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, and its associated processes. Sub-categories include: A third branch of geography, environmental geography, combines the physical and human geography, and focuses on the interactions between the two. Many universities across the UK offer courses in geography, usually offering both physical and human geography as well as a standard geography degree which combines these two branches. It is important you study the course guide for each potential university as each geography course is different offering a wide range of varied modules. A standard undergraduate bachelor’s degree study in geography is three years long and will involve an overseas field trip on either the second or third year and culminate in a dissertation to be handed in on the final year. Whichever degree course you choose you will have a number of credits you must complete each year which is made up by the modules you choose to take. Typically in your first year of study you will have a number of compulsory modules that you must sit and a couple of modules you may choose. The number of independent modules you may choose increases in each year of study but you may find, depending on the university, that you will have compulsory modules in each year that you must sit. This will vary greatly between universities so it is important you study each course guide separately to determine if it suits your assessment needs. Typically each course module will describe in the outline what the assessment involves; usually there is a written examination and some coursework, the percentage weighting depends on the module. In the second or third year most geography students embark on a compulsory overseas field trip, the location varies according to each university and this will usually be assessed with written coursework. In the final year, students are expected to submit a dissertation which can vary between 10,000 to 15,000 words long and this is taken alongside other elected modules. You will have a broad understanding of the interactions between the earth and people and the broad social patterns and processes. You will have the knowledge and practical skills to research and analyse various sources of data and to apply your knowledge to interpret and explain your results to a wide audience. Cambridge Bristol Sheffield Oxford Leeds Birmingham *Source: Complete University Guide
Overview
What is Geography?
Assessment
Entry Requirements and Suitability
Knowledge and Understanding
Common joint degree subjects
Top 20 Universities*
