You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Author disputed
Oscar Wilde and Will Rogers get credit for this phrase, perhaps because they both made such dramatic impressions. Over time, advertising agencies have used that phrase to promote everything from shampoo to designer shoes. We use it to point to universities' efforts at appealing to top students.
University-sponsored student programmes and fancy dorms are selling points. But, savvy students look past such glitz to investigate what they'll get for their tuition monies. Where Geography studies are concerned, these schools top the charts:
| 🏫School name | 👨🎓Number of Programs | 🔢UCAS points needed | 🔠Grades needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | 1 | 152 | A*AA |
| University of Oxford | 1 | 112-165 | A*AA |
| University of St Andrews | 75 | 126-144 | AAA |
| Durham University | 6 | 136-160 | AAB |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 5 | 144 | AAA |
| University College London (UCL) | 10 | 136-160 | AAB |
| Loughborough University | 11 | 104-136 | AAB |
| University of Bristol | 15 | 104-147 | BBC - ABB |
| The University of Edinburgh | 7 | 108-128 | BBB - ABB |
| University of Leeds | 12 | 128 | ABB |
| Univeristy of Exeter | 33 | 128 - 147 | ABB |
| University of Birmingham | 20 | 136 - 144 | AAB - AAA |
University of Cambridge
Naturally, we must start with the Number One university in the United Kingdom (UK). Cambridge takes the top spot in practically every metric, from student satisfaction to graduate prospects for hire after study. The lone downside we found is that this university offers only one undergraduate Geography study course.
Entry into Cambridge is competitive, no matter the study programme. Thus, the university's prospectus recommends not only top marks, but also a smashing application package.
That includes writing the most effective personal statement you can, which our guide helps you do.
UCAS points 152
A-Level requirements A*AA
Course requirements: a Geography A-Level applies for some colleges
University of Oxford
As surely as night follows day, Oxford and Cambridge tag-team each other. This university stands Second in the League tables, and for Geography learning. Like its rival, Oxford offers only one undergraduate programme,
UCAS points 112 - 165, depending on qualification
A-Level requirements A*AA
Course notes: General Studies excluded.
University of St Andrews
This university is far more generous with its Geography offerings than the first two schools. To wit, you'll find 75 undergraduate Geography courses in St Andrews' course catalogue. Many of them are related degrees, such as Biology and Geography (BSc), or Geography and Management (BSc).
UCAS points 128 - 144, depending on the study programme
A-Level requirements AAA (for most programmes)
Course requirements apply for most programmes
With such a bounty of courses to choose from, it's hard to generalise admissions criteria. Aiming for that UCAS point spread, and an AAA A-Level result, is the rule of thumb for applying to St Andrews.
Durham University
This university ranks seventh on the League tables, but comes in fourth for Geography studies. Durham offers six undergraduate Geography degree plans. Your selection is made easy because this school limits its programmes to 'pure' geography. You may choose either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or BSc (Bachelor of Science) pathway, on your way to graduate studies in a specialised area.
UCAS points: 144 - 168, depending on qualification and study programme
A-Level requirements: AAA - A*BB, depending on programme
Course requirements apply for most programmes.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
By now, it should come as no surprise that our top universities also rank high for Geography studies. LSE ranks third on the university League tables, and comes in fifth for Geography studies. Here, you'll find five undergraduate Geography degree plans.
All but one combine Geography with a related subject. As for what you'll learn in your Geography classes? You'll find a blend of core elements, and optional course selections. Universities across the UK follow this template, to give their students the widest range of opportunities for graduate study.
UCAS points: 144 (136 for Economic History + Geography)
A-Level requirements: ABB - AAA, A in Mathematics required (AAB for Economic History + Geography)
University College London (UCL)
This university ranks high across all metrics, from student satisfaction to graduate placement. It sits in ninth place on the University League table, and claims the sixth spot for Geography studies.
UCL offers 10 undergraduate Geography degree courses. Among those offerings, you'll find intriguing titles like Youth, Society and Sustainable Futures BA (Hons). We wowed over the Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BSc (Hons) course.
UCAS points: 128 - 168, depending on the study programme
A-Level requirements: AAA, depending on programme
Course requirements apply for most programmes
Loughborough University
Loughborough is a relatively young school, compared to others on this list. Still, it ranks sixth on the University League tables, and seventh among the best universities for Geography. This school offers 11 undergraduate degree plans in this subject. Geography with sports science is perhaps the most unusual course combination we've found.
UCAS points: 104 - 136 (for all but the Geography with Foundation Year course)
A-Level requirements: AAB with no course requirements.
This university's Geography programmes might be the easiest to access, and among the easiest to move on from. Students rank graduate prospects at a respectable 85%, meaning they found satisfying careers with the Geography degrees they earned.
University of Bristol
This university's Geography offerings roster left us wondering why other schools don't follow their lead. It's not the 15 undergraduate courses that astounded us; that number pales in comparison to St Andrews' 75. It's the topics those courses address:
- Geography + study abroad in another language
- Social Policy and Politics
- International Social and Public Policy
- Social Policy + Criminology
- Social Policy with study abroad
Human Geography is a growing study and research field, so is geopolitics - particularly, during these tense times. Of all the schools we looked at, none addressed those concerns as thoroughly as the University of Bristol.
UCAS points: 104 - 159, depending on the study programme
A-Level requirements: from AAA to BBB, depending on programme; contextual offers available
Course requirements may apply for select programmes.
The University of Edinburgh
This institution sits in 15th place on the University League tables, but comes in ninth for Geography and Environmental Studies. Here, you'll find seven undergraduate courses to choose from. Unlike others on this list, this Faculty sticks with 'pure' geography, with a bit of ecology, thrown in.
UCAS points: 114 - 144, depending on the study programme
A-Level requirements: BBB - AAA, depending on programme
Course requirements: No A-Level requirements, however, GCSE requirements apply for most programmes.
University of Leeds
For many, Leeds takes the top spot for Geography degree courses (according to the Uni Compare website). Like all the others on our list, Leeds University offers many amenities. However, it shines the brightest in research programme quality and job prospects. Overall, student surveys rate this university in the 93rd percentile.
It's on our list because it offers 12 undergraduate degree courses, most of which are related-degree programmes. More importantly, the degree pairings reflect education in today's most-needed fields:
- Environmental Geoscience
- Environment and Business
- Economics and Geography
- Geography with Transport Studies
- Sustainability and Environmental Management
- Sustainable Fashion
Students may apply to a BSc or BA programme, with or without Honours distinction. As the range of programmes is so broad, the University of Leeds ensures a study course for everyone.
UCAS points: 128 - 144, depending on the study programme
A-Level requirements: ABB - AAA, depending on programme
Course requirements apply for most programmes
Our complete Geography studies guide directs you to more need-to-know points when considering university Geography programmes. Be sure to read through it as you consider what the University of Leeds offers you.
University of Exeter
After Bristol, we found this university's programmes the most enticing. You'd be hard-pressed to find a study pathway as inclusive as Environmental Humanities with Employment Experience Abroad BA (Hons). That four-year degree programme blends philosophical and scientific study to deliver practical skills you will use throughout your career.
Exeter lists 33 undergraduate programmes, all along similar lines to the one we gush over. This school claims the 14th place on the University League tables, and 11th place for Geography studies. Though it slipped three notches in its overall rankings, Exeter still boasts a 93% overall satisfaction rating.
UCAS points: 128 - 147, depending on the study programme
A-Level requirements: ABB - AAA, depending on programme
Course requirements apply for select programmes.
University of Birmingham
If you've a mind to apply to this university, make sure your A-Level selections include a science. Most of this school's degree plans award BSc diplomas, so your acceptance into the study programme you choose demand at least one A-Level science.
This school matches almost evenly on League tables and for its Geography rankings; those places are 12 and 13, respectively.
Overall, graduating students give this school a 92% satisfaction score, and it maintains an 86% rating for graduate prospects.
UCAS points: 128 - 147, depending on the study programme
A-Level requirements: AAB - ABB, depending on programme
Course requirements: at least one science; General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded from consideration.
Other schools you might think would deliver a strong showing feature much further down the League Table rankings. University of Manchester (#18), for example, or Nottingham University (20). They, too, offer enticing Geography courses, rankings notwithstanding.
So, if you're asking yourself where to study Geography, this list gives you a dozen schools to investigate. Don't forget that the UK is home to some of the world's finest higher learning facilities, though. The right programme for your career goals might not be on this list.
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