Geography Degree
Geography Degree - 3 year Degree Scheme (F800)
Geography Degree - 3 year Welsh Degree Scheme (F801)
Geography Degree students study the human and physical processes structuring the earth, and the political and environmental issues arising from human interactions with it. The interaction between human societies and the global environment is of central importance to the planet, to its human and other inhabitants, and to its future.
Aberystwyth offers honours Geography degrees in both arts and science. Geography at this level is a very wide-ranging discipline, across both Human and Physical Sciences. With a flexible module structure to suit individual needs, our Geography degree offers you the opportunity either to maintain a breadth of interest, or to concentrate on certain areas, depending on your interests and career aspirations.
Whatever your age, if you are a person with a deep interest in the planet, its past and its future, an Aberystwyth Geography degree will be the right course for you.
Geography Degree Year 1
In the first year of your Geography degree course, you will usually take:
- four modules in Physical Geography
- four modules in Human Geography
- practical class
- tutorial module.
The eight main modules include lectures and practical components. The tutorial module - in which you get to work more closely in a small group with an individual tutor - is a vital part of the Aberystwyth Geography degree approach. The practical module includes elements of cartography, descriptive statistics and data processing and computing. An additional module can be taken either from other subjects taught in IGES, such as Environmental Science or Environmental Earth Science, or from disciplines adjacent to Geography such as International Politics, Economics, Biology or Computer Science.
Geography Degree Year 2 and Year 3
In Year 2 of your Geography degree, you take 12 modules. These include the continuation of the small group environment of the tutorial, as well as modules on Theory and Methods in Geography. You will also take a practical class and gain experience in fieldwork.
The remainder of the modules are chosen from an extensive list across Human and Physical Sciences including:
- The Americas; Economic and Social Restructuring; Environmental Management; Forensic Science; Geohazards; Geomorphology; Glaciology; Sustainability.
Geography Degree Year 3
In the third year of your Geography degree the required core is smaller. It includes an independent research dissertation based on fieldwork, and a tutorial module. Then you can develop your own interests by pursuing by following one of a rich variety of pathways, working with members of staff who are leading specialists in areas like:
- Biogeography; Environmental Risk; Geographical Information Systems; Hydrology; Latin America; Pedology; River Systems; Urban and Rural Geography.
Learning and Teaching
The Geography Degree course is supported by advanced facilities for laboratory work in chemical and physical analysis (for example, for soils, water quality and pollen work), social investigation and data processing. You will receive training in computer-based data handling and retrieval, material and statistical analysis, field survey methods and qualitative techniques. This training is enhanced and supported by the research undertaken by the
Aberystwyth is fortunate in having a close and supportive community of Geographers, including specialist research groups led by staff who make leading contributions to their field. There is an active Staff-Student Committee , as well as a flourishing student-led Geographical Society which organises regular lectures from outside speakers, together with informal field excursions, a dinner dance and other social functions.
Field Work and Opportunities to Travel
A residential field course - currently based in New Zealand, New York, Spain, Ireland or mid-Wales - together with option-based field work, individual field based dissertations and project work, are important aspects of the Geography course. Our fantastic surrounding environment provides Aberystwyth with unique academic advantages for the local study of all aspects of Geography.
We encourage all our undergraduates to develop a global and international perspective. In keeping with our status as a centre of international excellence, research and undergraduate teaching focuses on a wide variety of themes and environments - from the high Arctic to the Antarctic; through Europe and the Americas to China and the far East; from North Africa to Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa.
Career Opportunities
In the last few years, Geography graduates from Aberystwyth have found employment in education, in environmental, scientific, mathematical, information and social services; in tourism, industrial management and business enterprises. Their skills as both generalists and specialists are recognised in a highly competitive employment market.
Every effort is made to ensure that graduates obtain appropriate employment on completion of their degrees. Discussion of career openings takes place with students as part of the tutorial programme they follow as undergraduates and every encouragement is given to you to participate to the full in university life and take the opportunities it offers to strengthen your employment profile.
Available with:
BA
- Drama (Drama & Theatre Studies) - LWR4*
- Film & Television Studies - LWR6*
- History - LVR1*
- International Politics - LL7F*
- Politics (Major/Minor) - LL72*
- Welsh History - LVT1*
- Welsh/Cymraeg (Major/Minor) - L7QM*
- Welsh/Cymraeg - LQ75*
* = Welsh Medium Courses
Amanda Regan
BSc Geography
Devon