“Geography is the only subject that has given me the skills to interpret and understand reality in a way I could not imagine before and that will remain for life.”
A student at the British School of Rio de Janeiro (2013)

Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world and focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies and physical processes in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in these interactions. It also investigates the way in which people adapt and respond to change, and evaluates actual and possible management strategies associated with such change. Geography describes and helps to explain the similarities and differences between different places. These may be defined on a variety of scales and from the perspectives of a different range of actors, with varying powers over decision-making processes.

Course Outline

Opportunities are given throughout the course to enable student learning through practical fieldwork, including a three day residential trip. The higher level course consists of 220 hours of externally assessed taught theory and 20 hours of fieldwork based investigation; the standard level course consists of 130 hours of externally assessed taught theory and 20 hours of fieldwork based investigation.

Careers

“The knowledge and transferable skills that geographers gain from their degree studies are highly relevant to the workplace and I am delighted to say that geography graduates experience some of the lowest levels of graduate unemployment. You will find geographers working in every sector of the economy including the City, local businesses, not-for-profit organisations, leading highly relevant research or as key decision makers in local and national government.

Studying geography also helps us to understand many of the issues we face in Britain and globally, such as how we might respond to the impact of climate change or be better prepared for natural hazards. It is the new research undertaken by geographers that is informing the debate about these challenges and helping us to navigate through the world’s geographically complex people, places and environments.”

Nick Crane
President, RGS-IBG