Geography

Geography is the study of the surface of the Earth as the site of human living and working. It considers the variability in physical and human landscapes, along with the interrelationships binding them together. It is a dynamic, relevant and ever-changing subject at the heart of many local and global current issues, ranging widely from river/coastal management and conservation to migration, development and urban geography.

Our Honours programme is highly flexible and is a combination of core and optional courses. This allows you to tailor your option choices towards a wide range of potential careers.

Programme structure

Geography can be studied as one of three different degrees in Arts, Science or Social Sciences. The Geography component of each degree is identical; the difference is additional subjects that can be taken in years 1 and 2.

Year 1

You will explore an equal balance of physical and human geography themes including a world of resources, a world of development, a world of changing environments, a shrinking world, a world of conflict and a world of interactions.

Year 2

You will explore human and physical processes, examining environmental problems and their possible resolutions. You will be trained in statistical methods, geographic information systems (GIS) and laboratory analysis using a mixture of fieldwork and our own IT and physical geography laboratories.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2, to pursue your interests and ensure maximum flexibility; see Flexible degrees.

Years 3 and 4

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will study both core and optional courses.

Core courses are related to advanced training methods such as data management, modelling, GIS, interviewing & interpretative methods and dissertation training. Core courses also support the development and articulation of graduate attributes and communication strategies for beyond the academy.

A wide range of optional courses complement the core courses and allow you to build a programme around your particular interests. Some Environmental Geoscience optional courses may also be available to Geography students.

Special Glasgow feature

If you intend to continue to Honours, you will attend a week-long residential field course in year 2 to extend the field, laboratory and statistical skills introduced during the academic year. Our school is very conscious of our carbon footprint and we have made the choice to have this fieldtrip in an area that can be reached by public transport or coaches. When in the field, you will work in groups, collecting data and testing your ability to problem solve and communicate. These skills will be further developed in year 3 in a week-long overseas field class focusing on dissertation-related project work.

Our international links

You will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities as part of your degree. This will not add any extra time to your studies.

Career prospects

Recent graduates have been employed as coastal and river engineers, field studies tutors, public engagement officer and hydrographic surveyors. Our students have found opportunities with:

• the Scottish Government

• British Red Cross

• Transport Scotland

• Scottish Water

• Scottish Environment Protection Agency

• Scottish Natural Heritage

https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/geography/?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=profile&utm_campaign=mar-cose-ug&utm_content=geo-bsc-courses#coursedetails