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Geography/Geology/Earth Science or something else at University?

52 replies

Geographyorsomethingelse · 19/10/2026 07:38

I've name changed for this as you can probably tell!

I've been speaking to DD2 about possible options when she leaves school (currently Yr 12 equivalent).
She has always loved Geography, particularly Human Geography. She loves the broad range of the subject and thinks it is very relevant to the real world and how we live day to day. She is also interested in other related humanities/social sciences such as Philosophy&Ethics, Sociology, Psychology, History, Sustainability and Politics/International Relations. She thinks that Geography overlaps well with these subjects.
She is also really interested in travel, working abroad and different cultures.

Having looked briefly at Geography degrees with her, I think she would be fine with either the BA or the BSc options depending on the exact course and module options. Is either more widely respected? We have also had a quick look at GIS, which seems to be a useful thing to have. We've also been looking at Geology/Earth Science degree options too. She is probably more drawn to Geography as it is more broad but career options look good particularly with Geology. We've also found a course offered at Warwick which is a combination of Politics/International Studies and Sustainable Development which would be the sort of thing that could really interest her. Is anyone familiar with this course?

This is not a field that DH and I are familiar with. In our school days, Geography was less well respected than some degrees, certainly in DH's home country. I don't get the impression that this is the case now.
I doubt she will want to go to a London Uni, nor Oxbridge. She definitely enjoys a good social life but isn't a party animal/drinker. She enjoys having access to some countryside too.

Can anyone advise between the potential career implications/benefits of the BA vs BSc? Can anyone recommend some Universities with good Geography options? Is it best to stick to just Geography/Geology or are combination degrees worthwhile if you have several interests/don't have a definite career aim at this stage? From my description of her likes/dislikes, is there anything else that we should consider studying at Uni? Is a GIS qualification worth having? Are there any relevant degree apprenticeships worth considering?

Thank you for reading!

OP posts:
Geographyorsomethingelse · Today 00:08

This is all really useful @whattothinkhere. Thank you. The flexibility of the Scottish system sounds really interesting as she does have a range of interests, despite enjoying Geography in particular. Not all students are able to branch out into some of the subjects you mention at school so it's a good idea to 'try them out' if you do have diverse interests. My own concern regarding Scottish Universities is that they favour Scottish applicants, at least they definitely did when I applied there a long time ago. It may be different now and my degree was definitely more competitive than Geography appears to be and still is so perhaps it's less of a concern.

OP posts:
whattothinkhere · Today 06:39

I'm not sure they particularly favour Scottish applicants anymore @Geographyorsomethingelse- definitely doesn't seem to be the case within St Andrews at least. You hardly seem to hear a Scottish voice around the uni! I think it's something like 30% Americans at St Andrews, a lot of English and a sizeable amount from other overseas too. Scottish do not pay fees so there are fixed quotas at Scottish unis, as I understand it.

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