Geography

This is a Connected Degree
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview
If you're fascinated by the interrelationship between people, place and environment, this BA (Hons) Geography degree, accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), provides the skills and knowledge you need to help shape the future of the planet.

You'll investigate how we can preserve both the natural environment and the social and economic wellbeing of human populations. When you graduate, you'll have what you need to work in a wide range of areas, such as within urban or environmental planning, the energy sector, teaching or research.

- Create your own bespoke final year to match your interests and career ambitions by choosing from an optional list of modules, including environment and society, creative economy and urban placemaking and gender and development

- Learn to use GIS to solve societal problems including industry-standard technology, laser survey technology, drones, and photogrammetry equipment

- Experience some of the societies, cultures and landscapes you’re studying through fieldwork, including in places such as Berlin, Malta, Sicily and Uganda

- Choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Canada, Australia, Germany, Malta, Slovakia, Hungary and France, or build experience on a work placement at an organisation like the Environment Agency or Natural England

Accredited by:
This course is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society.

**Careers and opportunities
On this BA (Hons) Geography, you’ll examine themes such as conservation, sustainability, geopolitics, and economic and urban development, and hunt for answers to big questions about the world and society.

As well as learning skills to help you understand and engage with the world, you’ll develop as a professional. You’ll come away as a confident communicator, able to solve problems, make good decisions and work well with others.

When you graduate, you'll be ready for a career in a wide range of important fields and sectors, with technical and professional skills many employers are looking for.

What jobs can you do with a geography degree?
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- geo-environmental consultant

- transport planner

- urban planner

- GIS analyst

- spatial analyst

- operations watchkeeper

- geography teacher

Graduate destinations
Organisations our graduates have gone on to work for include:
- Mott McDonald

- AECOM

- Savills

- Bulb

- Department of Business and Energy

- Thames Water

- Hampshire County Council

You could also go on to study at postgraduate level.

Placement year (optional)
Either before or following your third year, you can opt for a work placement year to gain valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.

You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas – some Geography students have chosen Australia, Spain or Malta for their placement year.

Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills.

Potential placement destinations
Our students have completed placements at organisations including:
- Atkins Global

- Pfizer Research and Development

- Hampshire Ecological Services

- The Environment Agency

- Natural England