Hi there, I'm Luna.
I'm a bit like an AI, except instead of making pictures of people with 16 fingers, I can help you find the perfect course and uni.
Would you like some help in your search?
CONTENTS
- What's geography?
- Geography degree entry requirements
- What subjects are needed to study geography?
- Best universities for geography in the UK
- How to compare geography courses
- How to compare geography courses in Clearing
- What if you can’t find a geography degree in Clearing?
What's geography?
Geography explores the rapidly changing world around us. Physical geographers study the Earth’s natural environment, whereas human geographers are interested in the relationships between people, societies and cultures.
A geography degree will teach you skills transferable to agriculture, business, conservation, engineering, politics, tourism and urban planning.
Geography degree entry requirements
The UCAS points needed to study geography range from 96 (CCC at A-level; MMM at BTEC level) to 144 points (AAA at A-level; DDD at BTEC level).
| Type | Minimum Grades/Points Required (with Foundation Year) | Minimum Grades/Points Required | Maximum Grades/Points Required | Average Grades/Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS Points | 32 | 96 | 144 | 120 |
| A-levels | EE | CCC | AAA | BBB |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | PP | MMM | DDD | DMM-DDM |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 | 25 | 39 | 29 |
What subjects are needed to study geography?
A-levels
Some universities want you to have studied geography or one of the following subjects at A-level: biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, environmental studies, geology, maths, physics or psychology. General studies is often not counted towards your points total.
BTECs
Most universities will accept a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and won’t require you to have studied a specific subject.
GCSEs
You’ll need five GCSEs with a minimum grade of C/4 for most courses, including English and maths.
International Baccalaureate
Most universities will ask you to have at least a 6, 5, 5 at Higher Level, which must include one of the following: biology, chemistry, physics, maths, geography, geology, psychology, environmental science or environmental studies. Top universities may ask for a 7, 6, 6 at Higher Level.
Best universities for geography in the UK
Our sister site, the Complete University Guide, publishes university league tables every year ranking UK unis nationally and in 70+ subject areas. Check out the latest rankings to see the best UK unis for geography.
BA or BSc geography
Some geography courses are BA (Bachelor of Arts) degrees while others are BSc (Bachelor of Science) degrees. A BSc will focus more on physical geography and the natural environment. A BA will focus on human geography. BSc courses may require you to have studied a science-based subject, whereas BA courses may look favourably on subjects like psychology or sociology.
Module choices
Exact course structure and topics taught can vary wildly from uni to uni. Look at the module choices available across each year of the course. You can find all of this information through the geography course pages on Whatuni.
Method of teaching
Geography courses will teach you through a mixture of lectures and practical learning through labs and field trips. It’s worth checking what field trips will take place and what they’ll involve, as this could impact your enjoyment of the course.
The pandemic will determine whether field trips take place so check this before applying. Also see whether funding is provided for them or whether they’ll be an additional cost. This information should be on our course pages, but if not, reach out to the university to ask.
Placement opportunities
Some geography courses offer a placement year or year in industry. They’ll be labelled as having a ‘study abroad’, ‘sandwich’ or ‘placement’ year. Take a look at location and cost when considering a degree with placement.
How to compare geography courses
You can use Whatuni’s Find a Course tool to search, save and compare geography courses. Simply enter ‘geography’ into the search bar and start browsing what courses are being offered.
Filters can be used to personalise the results based on what you find important. When you select a course, you’ll find full course information, including course outline, module choices, entry requirements, fees and key course stats.
Once you’ve compiled a shortlist of courses, begin your research. Order each university’s prospectus to give you an overview of learning facilities, accommodation, social activities, support and much more.
Booking an open day will let you scope the campus, speak to current students and potential tutors. Open day events will give you an idea of what your student life may be like.
Reading student reviews offers an honest insight into what you can expect from student life. Simply enter the university and subject to see what students are saying.
How to compare geography courses in Clearing
You can check out what geography courses are still available when Clearing opens in early July. You’ll be able to see what geography courses are available, shortlist any you’re interested in and compare them using Whatuni’s Clearing tool.
Some universities lower their entry requirements for Clearing courses. You can see which courses have done so when Whatuni’s Clearing tool goes live.
In the meantime, pre-register for Clearing. You’ll receive regular advice leading up to Clearing, have access to Whatuni’s Clearing guide and be able to save and compare Clearing courses once Clearing begins.
What if you can’t find a geography degree in Clearing?
You’ll have a number of other options:
- Study a geography foundation year: This will provide you with the grounding you need to go on and study a full degree. Entry requirements are much lower but note that adding an extra year to your course will increase the cost of your studies.
- Study a geography DipHE: A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a Level 5 qualification and is equivalent to a HND or two years of a bachelor’s degree. They can be topped up to a full degree with further study. A geography DipHE can be studied through the Open University, other select universities or Further Education colleges.
- Apply for a Clearing course in a similar subject: Subjects such as anthropology, biology, ecology, environmental science, geology and marine biology all cover similar topics to geography. These can be good alternatives if you can’t find a suitable geography course in Clearing. Research carefully the modules and career outcomes before making any decision.
- Apply for a joint honours degree: Consider studying a joint honours degree with geography as one half of the course. Subjects commonly paired with geography include economics, geology, politics, international relations and any of the languages.
- Apply for a geography apprenticeship: There are a number of degree apprenticeships in geography-related areas such as agriculture, archeology, aviation, energy, environmental health, horticulture, maritime, town planning, travel and wildlife management. Apprenticeships can be found on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship website.
- Take a gap year and resit your exams: If you have your heart set on a course but don’t get the grades you need, consider taking a year out and resitting your exams in autumn or next year. During the year you can study and gain some relevant work experience to boost your university application.
