BSc Geography and Economics (Regional Science) with Professional Experience

This interdisciplinary, four-year degree, led by experts from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science and the Department of Economics, examines issues that dominate the news and shape the world in which we live. An integrated placement year between your second and final year enables you to gain valuable real-world experience in the workplace.

You’ll address challenges across a range of scales – local, regional, national and global – from the spatial implications of economic processes, to the economic impact of social processes.

Develop your knowledge and expertise as you critically analyse:

• how resources are allocated and used, and the consequences for social and economic wellbeing
• the impact of consumerism and sustainability
• issues of work, employment and development
• how neighbourhoods and urban spaces are regenerated
• the application of micro-economics and macro-economics to globalisation.

We’ll support you to develop subject-specific and transferable skills, including:

• GIS and remote sensing
• modelling and cartography
• statistical and numerical analyses
• research techniques, including quantitative analysis, interviewing and ethnographic approaches
• teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Throughout your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to shape your learning and follow your individual interests through our wide range of optional modules.

Professional experience

This degree includes an integrated year in industry – between your second and final year – enabling you to experience the workplace, develop your skills, and gain insight into possible future careers.

Previous students have applied for placements with the Government Economic Service, supporting professional economists in a range of government departments, or joined accountancy or consulting firms to gain experience in the private sector.

Students have recently worked with organisations such as:

• The Environment Agency
• The Earth Trust
• Department of Education
• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• Bank of England
• Deloitte
• NHS England
• IBM.

Your placement will be supported by our dedicated placement team, and you will also benefit from staff links with industry, including NGOs, local authorities and government departments.

Choose geography at the University of Reading

• Study at the UK’s leading university for environmental and ethical performance (the University of Reading is ranked 1st in the People and Planet University League, 2023/24)
• The University is among the top ten UK universities for Environmental Sciences in world rankings (Reading is 9th out of the UK universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024, Environmental Sciences).
• Ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021)
• In 2023, the University of Reading was the first ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership
• The University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.