Geography

Geography is a discipline that occupies an unusual position in the university, bridging the natural sciences and the social sciences and dealing with questions of both the physical environment and human society. Physical geography examines landscapes, climate systems, oceans, rivers and the Earth's surface processes, developing scientific understanding of the natural world. Human geography examines how societies organise space, how cities and regions develop, how economic and cultural forces are distributed across the globe, and how people and environments interact.

The two traditions are connected by the fundamental question of how human and natural systems shape each other.

At Sheffield Hallam University, this three-year full-time degree, which is available with a foundation year, is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, providing professional recognition that is valued by employers. The foundation year option is available for students who will benefit from additional preparation before degree-level study. You will study human and physical geography in an integrated way, developing a dynamic understanding of the world and the skills to engage with its most pressing challenges, from climate change and environmental management to urban development and social inequality.

A sandwich year placement and a work placement are built into the programme, giving you significant professional experience in a geographically relevant context.

Fieldwork is central to geographical education. You will develop practical skills in data collection, mapping, GIS and spatial analysis alongside your theoretical knowledge, and you will engage with real places and environmental and social challenges in ways that bring the discipline to life.

Graduates from geography degrees move into environmental management, planning, consultancy, GIS and spatial data, climate and sustainability roles, urban development, international development, research, government, teaching, and a wide range of careers that value the geographical perspective and the analytical and fieldwork skills the degree develops. Postgraduate study in geography or a related field is a well-supported pathway.