Geography Degree? What is your DC doing now?

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My son is looking to do a degree in Geography. Personal statement completed and has chosen his top 3 universities. Still undecided what last 2 should be.

DC considered engineering for a while, but didn’t do physics, considered economics but was unsure about doing a purely maths heavy degree. Considered joint honours Geography/Economics but the best degrees are at universities he doesn’t want to go to.

He feels it’s the most logical choice for him
as he is interested mostly in human geography in geopolitics, economics, foreign aid, sustainability. that sort of thing.

His A levels are Chemistry, Maths and Geography.
he began with Economics but had to drop an A level so he dropped economics although he did find it interesting and useful.

Predicted A* A A*

Won’t be applying for land economy at Cambridge although some people have said it’s the perfect degree for him. He prefers Oxford if he was to go to Oxbridge.

What does the future hold for him?

DS is working in 'Due Diligence' as a financial consultant in London, and loving it. He was mostly interested in the human geography topics your son enjoys too. His work is very varied - a project lands on his desk, he researches it as part of a team, assesses the proposal, reports back to the clients in a presentation, gets feedback/further questions and writes up a final report. Three weeks later, new topic and off they go. Lots of variety, and intensity, which he enjoys. A good London wage, but not lots of financial responsibility, so not silly money.

Of his geography mates, one is in strategy at the BBC, one is a lawyer, one is a social media manager, one an environmental consultant.

Hope that helps

Thank you @Justmadesourkraut.

your sons job sounds interesting. Did hedo any other studying after his bachelors?

I do get concerned about his prospects. Whether he can earn enough to lead a comfortable life.
He is quite dynamic throws himself into all sorts of activities. He had considered doing conversion course after degree but now not keen. I suppose his thought process will evolve over time.

The two Geographers I know went into chartered surveying after Masters conversion.

I went into Town Planning

Lots of geographers become chartered surveyors, but you need to do a masters degree afterwards. If he graduates into a good economic cycle usually the employer will support this. It is a reliably well paid career.

If he has the opportunity to join the land economy course at Cambridge I’d think he’d be somewhat mad to let that pass him by.

The Economics and Management at Oxford and Economics at Cambridge includes all those topics. Economics at Cambridge very unusual to get in without FM. A friend who did Land Economy at Cambridge went into surveying.

A less maths based economics course like the BA rather than BSc will have lots of topics like that as options or part of the main course.

I’m a geography teacher, or I was until I became disabled. I now tutor and mark exams.

You can also apply for universities in stages until the Jan deadline. So he could send it with 3 now and add the other 2 later if he's happy with those three.

Didn't even stop around for the graduation as he was off to New Zealand to get a ski instructor qualification.
Has been a profession ski coach / guide for the last 20 years. Highly successful with many return clients.
Has built up a portfolio of holiday rentals in Japan and Spain

My eldest did Social and Public Policy at uni as she enjoyed the human side of geography. She's now a trainee solicitor

Yes that’s what he plans on doing

He is adamant on applying for geography at Oxford. I keep bringing up the Cambridge option but dismisses. It.

Cousin went to work for a political analysis company. Also opportunities with UNICEF, NATO etc.

That’s interesting.

dud he recently qualify?

What did he after he finished his degree?

Is he well paid?

Engineering at Birmingham doesn’t need physics - can do with chemistry and mathematics. Look at the degree in Birmingham that lets you pick and choose geography/ economics / development etc (I think it’s liberal arts and natural sciences)

I work in management consulting and quite a few of my colleagues are geography grads. Its a great “general” humanities degree if you don’t want a career “in geography” (so to speak!). Human geography in particular is great for developing conceptual thinking, critical analysis, data analysis and insight. All stuff that is useful in fields like management consulting or HR for example. Physical geography more science based but no less relevant

My daughter did BA in Geography at Durham. She is on the grad scheme at PWC in audit and studying her accountancy exams

My middle one did a BSc geography at Glasgow and did Chemistry/Geoscience/Statistics as outside subjects. Works as an operations manager. Course mates are employed in finance, teaching, ecology and one is completing her PhD in physical geography, My youngest has at least 2 geographer colleagues in the civil service. Agree about it being good general degree but my experience is in the grad market 5 years ago.

It's a great course

Chemistry and Maths… has he thought of Chemical Engineering? Highly sought after degree.

Geography actually sounds like a really natural fit for his interests, especially with the combination of Maths, Chemistry and Geography. The areas you mentioned — geopolitics, sustainability, economics and development — can lead in quite a few different directions, so I wouldn’t assume he needs to have his entire career mapped out before choosing the degree. Has he looked at what recent Geography graduates from his shortlisted universities have gone on to do? That might help when deciding between the final two choices.

6 people I know who have done geography degrees in the last 15 years.
1 earns sheds load of money as a business consultant
2 are teachers - 1 primary 1 science
1 does economic development
1 is a content creator for a fashion house
1 is an M&S store manager

So basically, your DS will have a lot of options available to him.

Another one who thinks Land Economy at Cambridge sounds ideal. What is it that he prefers about Oxford? Has he visited either? I know we are all supposed to let our YP decide for themselves based on vibes but i see some YP making “interesting” decisions based on that and sometimes the reason is “I let my algorithm feed me 100 videos of people having a mis time at Cambridge”.

Im saying this as someone who went to their interview at Cambridge, thought it was awful, got an offer, accepted it as didn’t think I’d get the grades, did get the grades, went under duress, had an amazing time and made some amazing friends who still form the core of my social group 30+ years later. Also opened a lot of doors.

Also LE has a high “fun people”
count relative to certain other subjects - I know that’s a bad thing to say but I do think the admissions criteria have changed a lot and it can be a bit off putting to people who are not “I live for my subject” but generally LE are well rounded.

Environmental science