BSc Geography (Physical)

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

University RankQS Ranking

173

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Home/United Kingdom/Reading /University of Reading/BSc Geography (Physical)

University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

F840

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650 / year

Next Intake September-2026

BSc Geography (Physical)

About

Examine the processes and patterns that shape the natural world around us with our BSc Geography (Physical) degree.

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)
Top 125 in the world for Physical Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, by Subject)
In 2023, the University of Reading was the first ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership
100% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, responders from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science).
The University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

This three-year course will deepen your understanding of how our physical environment works, responds, and adapts to change.It also offers you the chance to help address issues critical to our shared global future, including:

climate change
natural disasters
weather systems.

You'll explore our physical world's diverse landscapes and environments through the study of:

hydrology
climatology
hazards
soils
biogeography.

You'll also have the flexibility to decide where to focus your attention as your degree progresses, so you can adapt the degree to suit your interests as they evolve.

Accreditation

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

English Program Requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

Career

Geography arms you with the ability to see the big picture. The intellectual, technical and team-working skills and knowledge you develop during your degree are sought by employers. Overall, 91% of graduates from Geography and Environmental Science are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Based on our analysis of HESA data © 2020 - 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 - 2021/22; includes first degree Geography and Environmental Science responders).

Add your voice to the development of renewable energy, protect ecological diversity by joining a wildlife conservation organisation, or provide support and planning to mitigate natural disasters through flood relief. You could lend your skills to a career in national government or NGOs, channel a passion for science into teaching, or join one of the many sectors where a geography degree is highly regarded, such as construction and engineering.

Recent BSc Geography (Physical) graduates have gone on to work for organisations including:

Atkins
Environmental Resource Management (ERM)
Mott MacDonald
RPS Group
Syngenta
WSP.

Read about Charlie Mariner, a recent graduate, who uses the technical skills acquired during his degree in his career as a Catastrophe Risk Analyst.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

You can apply online for all of our courses, including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year, via the national admissions service, UCAS. You can choose to apply for up to five courses in total, including more than one course at the same institution.

1. Find a course

Browse our undergraduate courses and identify which ones you'd like to apply for. Make sure to check your course's entry requirements before you apply.

2. Begin your application

Our UCAS code is R12. The University does not have a campus code.

3. Write your personal statement

As part of your application, you'll be asked to submit a personal statement to support your application. This is your opportunity to tell us more about why you want to study the course and what interests, skills and experience you have that demonstrate your passion for the subject.

4. Submit your application

When you're happy with your application and have added the required information such as qualifications, personal statement and reference, you can submit your application.

A small charge is made by UCAS for applying to university. The application fee for 2024 entry is £27.50 for up to five choices.

Make sure to check the UCAS website for the most up-to-date application deadlines. If you have missed the January deadline, there is still the opportunity to apply (via UCAS), and we are happy to consider late applications until 30 June 2024 (all applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing). Please be aware that some of our courses may be full after the January UCAS deadline, so we recommend early applications where possible.