Geography and Geology BSc at University of Leeds

Physical Geography is the integrative science that deals with processes and patterns in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere, and the interaction of humans and their environment. Geology investigates the dynamics of the earth, from its origins over 4.5 billion years ago to the processes that define how we live today. The two disciplines together have an important role in understanding how humans can deal with environmental change in the future.

Delivered jointly by the School of Geography and School of Earth and Environment, this degree combines the study of physical geography and the earth sciences. You’ll tackle diverse questions, from how the climate is likely to change in the future to the impact of building housing estates in river catchments. At the same time, you’ll study the origins of rocks and minerals, the evolution of life on earth, volcanism, geological mapping and the use of geological natural resources.

Our graduates are in demand for both their specialist and transferable skills. You’ll build skills in presenting your ideas in reports and orally, in data collection, presentation and analysis, and in the investigation and computer simulation of environmental processes.

Career opportunities

A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a graduate job.

University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2021, High Fliers Research.

Studying geography opens up a wide range of exciting careers. Whether your future career plans lie in environmental management, journalism, the financial sector or nature conservation, our degrees are structured to ensure you develop the key transferable skills sought by graduate recruiters, skills such as: team-working, commercial awareness, report-writing, fluency in oral communication and presentation, numerical analysis, IT expertise and investigative skills.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include:

• Soil Engineering, Resident Engineer

• The Canal and Rivers Trust, Hydrographic Surveyor

• PhD study, “Finding your flow: using sedimentology, geochemistry, and micropalaeontology to understand South Atlantic Ocean circulation”

• Environment Agency

• Thames Water

• Leap Environmental