GEOGRAPHY DEGREES

Overview

Geography degrees, as our guide explains, are some of the most varied out there. In fact, perhaps it's more apt to consider it as a field rather than a subject.
Ever seen a strange rock formation and wondered how it got that way? Or watched a documentary about an overcrowded slum and wanted to understand why people were living in such poor conditions? Studying geography at university should cover all this, and much, much more.
Both of these situations could fall within the bounds of a geography degree, though the first would be categorized as physical geography and the second as human geography. These are the two major sub-disciplines when studying geography at university, and in fact the two branches are very different.
Human geography is concerned with the study of human societies – how they operate, develop, and the challenges they face. So you could look at issues such as population change, cultural and religious practices, or globalization.
Physical geography, on the other hand, is about understanding the earth’s physical processes – from climates and weather systems, to earthquakes and rock formations, right down to what’s happening on the ocean floor.
Some universities will offer a choice between a Bachelor of Arts (more of a human geography focus) or Bachelor of Science (physical geography). But even so, it’s usual to start by taking some introductory modules in both sides of the subject.
Find the world's best universities for geography with the QS Rankings by Subject >

Specialization

It should be clear by now that geography at university-level is a huge subject, drawing on many other disciplines. Some possible areas of focus have already been mentioned above, including climatology (study of climates), oceanography (ocean systems) and meteorology (atmosphere and weather).
Here are just a few examples of other possible specializations:
Glaciers and glaciations: Geography degrees specializing in glaciers and glaciations, as you’d expect, are the study of glaciers and glacial systems, including effects on land formation and the impact of climate change. You could expect to learn about glacier erosion and deposition, mapping and analysis techniques, and glacial environments and ecosystems – and a field trip to a real-life glacier is also a possibility.
Hydrology: A geography degree specializing in hydrology is all about water: water quality, movement, transportation, uses and resources. Areas of focus could include agricultural water use, drainage management, hydropower, water supply and sanitation, and flood forecasting and safeguarding.
Political geography: Political geography is the study of relationships between politics and physical spaces. For example, you could examine relationships between physical landforms and state boundaries, analyse government responses to environmental issues, or consider the role of formal and informal country groupings – such as the European Union or ‘the Middle East’.
Cultural geography: Cultural geography rather loosely refers to the study of cultural norms, customs, traditions, changes and clashes. This could have an international focus, looking at the effects of globalization and issues connected to cultural exchange, integration or dominance. Or it may be possible to focus on a particular region, and/or a particular aspect of culture – such as religion, language, sexuality or personal identity.

Career Options

If you want to make a difference to the world, a degree in geography is a good place to start.
Depending on your specialization, you could be involved in developing solutions to some of the most pressing problems for modern society: climate change, natural disasters, overpopulation, urban expansion, multicultural integration.
Geography graduates may provide research and advice to help governments, charities or other organizations – either working directly for a particular organization, or as part of an independent research group, think tank or university faculty.
Other roles could include cartography (producing maps), transportation management, town planning, and environmental and conservation work.
A geography degree also provides many transferable skills – including data analysis, report writing and computer modelling – which could support careers in a wide range of sectors.
Find the world's best universities for geography with the QS Rankings by Subject >

Key Skills

• Ability to analyse different types of data, and identify patterns and implications
• Understanding of academic publications and how to use them
• Field work skills, including mapping and sample analysis
• Data-collection, including survey design and interpretation
• Lab-based and technical skills, including mathematical modelling
• Excellent written and spoken communication
• Ability to approach issues from multiple perspectives (including ethical, social, economic, and scientific)
• Understanding of key issues in contemporary human and/or physical geography