University of Reading

BSc Geography (Physical)

Reading, United Kingdom

DURATION

3 Years

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Request application deadline

EARLIEST START DATE

Jan 2025

TUITION FEES

GBP 29,950 / per year *

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

* new international students: £29,950 | new UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,535 per year for 2025/26

Introduction

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.

Admissions

Scholarships and Funding

Curriculum

Compulsory modules

Year 1

Skills in Geography and Environmental Science: Discover the expected academic standards and integrity at the undergraduate level, while being introduced to the Geography and Environmental Science discipline. Through real-world examples and data, learn essential skills for research.
Global Challenges: Explore interrelated global issues confronting the planet and humanity today. Delve into the human geography, physical geography, and environmental science perspectives surrounding key challenges. Develop the ability to critically analyse and discuss these challenges using academic literature.
Field Class: Undertake field research in a real-world setting, using contemporary methods and equipment for data gathering and experience working as part of a team. The training you receive will be authentic and relevant to your ambitions and to the skills you’ll likely need for dissertation field research.
Restless Planet: Learn about the fundamental processes in the Earth System, encompassing the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Discover the interactions between the spheres, particularly the Earth System's integrated nature and how alterations to key biogeochemical cycles, can have far-reaching impacts across the globe.
Landscapes and Natural Resources: Explore the integrative concept of landscape, with a focus on the component biophysical elements, their patterns and natural processes. You'll also examine the resilience of renewable and living resources in the context of global climate change.

Year 2

Skills Training and Project Design: Develop professional skills, including research approaches, project management, career awareness and employability. Work closely with an academic mentor to carry out carefully planned and highly professional research, act as consultants, designing, executing and reporting on a research project.
Field Class: Undertake field research in a real-world setting, using contemporary methods and equipment for data gathering and experience working as part of a team. The training you receive will be authentic and relevant to your ambitions and to the skills you’ll likely need for dissertation field research.
Earth Processes and Hazards: Discover the dynamic process and resultant hazards which stem from the tectonic and geomorphological evolution of the Earth including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, weather events and landslides, and the impact these can have on the natural world and human societies.

Year 3

Dissertation: All students must produce a dissertation as part of their degree. The dissertation is an original piece of research carried out by the students independently, with support from a supervisor, contributing to knowledge in a particular field of study.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.