UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE WHY STUDY AT READING? Geography and Environmental Science degrees at the University of Reading offer an exciting opportunity to explore the interactions between people, place and environment. This longestablished department is well-known for its international perspective, well-developed field class programme and friendly and sociable student community.
UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Learn with internationally recognised academics researching and teaching in areas including: globalisation, development, sustainability climate change and governance, hydrology, landscapes and ecology, paleoecology, dryland environments and glaciology. FLEXIBILTY & CHOICE Students can select from a wide range of modules across the Department and the University, giving a high degree of flexibility. You will have the chance to tailor your degree to your own interests, building a programme that offers a unique level of choice and individuality. You can choose to follow a specialist pathway through your degree and focus on a particular theme or choose more widely to develop a broader programme of study. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Our staff are award-winning and internationally recognised academics with strong reputations in their field. Their research feeds directly into the topics you will study throughout your degree. We are consistently highly rated for the quality of our teaching and staff are approachable, supportive and enthusiastic. A strong ethos of the department is to ensure that students have easy access to teaching staff for study advice and help. SECURING YOUR FUTURE You will have extensive opportunities to develop your skills and experience during your studies, giving you the tools to pursue a successful career after graduation. Every course includes the option of taking a year out after your second year to spend time gaining direct professional experience. The range of technical and transferable skills you will gain by studying with us ensures that you will have a wide variety of options in your chosen career path. We will give you the skills to apply your knowledge to the real world and the best chance to get ahead. For more information go to: www.reading.ac.uk/geographyandenvironmentalscience B12542 06.15
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE LECTURERS The lecturers are very friendly and approachable. All members of staff in the department always make the time available for extra help, or even just to discuss any concerns and even their own research. Even the administration staff are so lovely, they make you feel at ease when you join the university and are always happy to help. It s really nice to see that you re learning from someone who is making a real impact with their research. A GREAT PLACE TO STUDY I really like the choice of modules we get all the choices and optional modules as well. In first year I did a Law module and an Economics module, which I really liked. Geography is very tailor-made. I can sit with someone who is doing a Geography degree and we could have learned totally different things and come out with the same degree. I have a degree that s tailored to everything I m interested in and that s something I love about it. It s very you. I honestly love the course that I am on, I have the perfect blend of Geography and Economics and there is always the opportunity to take on modules from other departments. In my final year, I m pleased that I have such good scope to specialise and study a topic that I find interesting. For more information go to: www.reading.ac.uk/geographyandenvironmentalscience B12542 06.15
PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Placements offer an exciting opportunity to enhance work-related skills and develop a network of contacts, as well as strengthening employability prospects and cultivating direct experience in a potential career field.
UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES There are a variety of options for placements during your time in Geography & Environmental Science. Recent placements include fieldwork at the Earth Trust, working with Readibus in Reading, working with the Environment Agency and Thames Water, and experience with Network Rail and Forest Research. Placements are really good opportunities it s definitely worth doing! Laura Muchmore Human & Physical Geography In addition, students from any degree programme can choose to take a year of professional experience, working across a range of organisations in the public and private realm. YEAR OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE You will have the opportunity to take a year of professional experience following your second year. This is a fantastic opportunity to hone your skills in a real work environment, gain direct experience in your chosen field, and build up your CV. Students have recently worked for Thames Water, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Johnson Matthey, the Department of Energy & Climate Change, Cross-Compliance Solutions and CO2 Balance. PLACEMENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY Vacation placements are sometimes available within the University through schemes such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Scheme (UROP). This allows students to work as part of one of the Department s research groups during the summer. The University s Careers Placement and Experience Centre provide all Reading students with information about a wide range of placement opportunities including: Summer Enterprise Experience & Discovery (SEED) internship scheme Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) Reading Experience and Development (RED) award For more information go to: www.reading.ac.uk/geographyandenvironmentalscience B12542 06.15
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WILL YOUR DEGREE TAKE YOU? A degree in Geography equips you with the ability to see the big picture. The skills gained during the course can be applied to a wide range of careers; in education, commerce, government and environmental consultancy. Recent graduates have been employed as transport analysts, recruitment consultants, regional planning officers, GIS specialists, and environmental scientists and consultants. Around 17% of our students continue their studies to specialise further or to qualify to teach. The need for professional environmental scientists with a sound scientific background continues to grow and opportunities for graduates from this degree include employment by environmental consultancies, water companies, pollution monitoring and renewable and sustainable energy companies. Recent graduates have entered employment with companies as varied as AWE, Sustrans, Thames Water, EDF Energy, Syngenta and Jacobs Engineering. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS Transferable skills are key in the current job market and for many employers the attitudes and aptitudes of graduates are of equal importance to the content of your particular degree. A degree in Geography or Environmental Science from the University of Reading will provide you with invaluable experience and an unrivalled skill-set to enhance your career prospects, including: problem solving literacy & numeracy: data analysis, report and essay writing teamwork and presentations leadership international perspective relevant work experience For more information go to: www.reading.ac.uk/geographyandenvironmentalscience B12542 06.15
INTERNATIONAL STUDY Stand out from the crowd by choosing to study abroad! In an increasingly international and mobile world, studying abroad can help boost your future employability by providing an exciting opportunity to acquire numerous transferable and desirable skills as well as fantastic educational and life experience. Yarra River, Melbourne
UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES WHERE CAN I STUDY? The Erasmus and Study Abroad Programme gives students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at one of our partner Universities in Europe, Australia, Canada or the USA. Teaching and assessment is in English and students usually attend during the autumn term of their final year, contributing 40 credits to their final year programme. Fees and field classes are included in the cost of the Erasmus exchange, and students studying at one of our partner Universities in Europe receive a contribution towards the costs of travel and living. Competitive travel bursaries are available for study in non-european partner Universities. You could study at a range of Universities, including: Aarhus University (Denmark) University of Groningen (Netherlands) University of Bergen (Norway) University Centre in Svalbard (Norway) Monash University, (Melbourne, Australia) University of Ottawa (Canada) University of Rhode Island (USA) Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (USA) Erasmus was hard work but a really great opportunity. Heather Cadden Human Geography It was an amazing and positive experience. I enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and immersing myself in Norwegian culture. Due to my experience, I am now contemplating studying a master abroad. Rihannon Lee Erasmus exchange student Hordaland, Bergen, Norway Study abroad For more information go to: www.reading.ac.uk/studyabroad/outgoingstudents/ wherecanistudy/vso-geography.aspx B12542 06.15
FIELD CLASSES
UNDERGRADUATE ARCHAEOLOGY READING ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD SCHOOL You will have the chance to take part in our exciting and constantly evolving fieldclasses to a wide range of destinations. In addition to the compulsory Year 1 field class in the UK, students have the choice of a Year 2 field class to a European destination ranging from major cities to Mediterranean landscapes. Fieldwork is also an increasingly important component of many modules, from GIS mapping on the university campus to exploring the causes and consequences of flooding in the Loddon catchment. A significant number of students also choose to take an optional field class in their final year, including destinations to Norway, Iceland and the Mediterranean with recent visits to Malta and Cyprus. SKILLS & EMPLOYABILITY We see field classes as a critical part of your training, enabling you to develop skills in: teamwork and life skills field techniques and observation data analysis and presentation field observation skills WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY The Crete field class is a must, although next year they are running a field class to Naples which I am very jealous about! Oli Stone-Houghton Human & Physical Geography The Year 2 field class is one of my highlights from my time at university. There is such a range of destinations and whilst we are there for academic purposes, it certainly provides a nice social aspect to get to know your course friends and lecturers a lot better. Rikhil Morjaria Geography & Economics The field trips are great, all the research was so interesting and enjoyable and I made really good friends while I was there. Heather Cadden Human Geography For more information go to: www.reading.ac.uk/geographyandenvironmentalscience B12542 06.15
BSc HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE: BSc HUMAN GEOGRAPHY Year 1 You will complete compulsory modules in Techniques in geography & environmental science Foundations in human geography Human geography: principles & practice Optional modules Biogeography and ecosystems Climatology Hydrology Geomorphology Environmental issues Year 2 Compulsory modules Research training for geographers One field class from the following: Crete, Greece Naples, Italy Berlin, Germany You can choose from a wide range of optional modules from within and outside the Department including: Culture, identity & space Energy resources Growth, degrowth and sustainability Languages Year 3 Four modules from a wide range of options to advanced level, as well as your final year dissertation. For more information, please contact: School of Geography & Environmental Science University of Reading Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6UR United Kingdom Tel (0118) 378 7966 gesadmissions@reading.ac.uk www.reading.ac.uk/ geographyand environmentalscience SOME OF OUR MOST POPULAR MODULES IN RECENT YEARS INCLUDE: Culture and development in Africa Work, employment & development Consumption, globalisation & sustainability International climate change & justice B12542 06.15
BSc PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE: BSc PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 You will complete a compulsory module in Techniques in geography and environmental science Physical Geography modules Climatology Hydrology Biogeography and ecosystems Geomorphology Environmental issues Optional modules Introduction to Quaternary science Human geography: principles & practice Our dynamic planet Compulsory modules Research training for geographers & environmental scientists or Loddon catchment consultancy One field class from the following: Crete, Greece Naples, Italy Berlin, Germany For more information, please contact: School of Geography & Environmental Science University of Reading Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6UR United Kingdom Tel (0118) 378 7966 gesadmissions@reading.ac.uk www.reading.ac.uk/ geographyand environmentalscience Almeria, Spain You can choose from a wide range of optional modules from within and outside the Department including: Monitoring the earth from space, Web page design, Excel data management and geographical information systems, Geomorphological hazards, Biogeography & conservation, Hydrological processes and Languages. Four modules from a wide range of options to advanced level, as well as your final year dissertation. SOME OF OUR MOST POPULAR MODULES IN RECENT YEARS INCLUDE: Water resources Mediterranean biodiversity field class Climate change Ecosystem modelling Glacial & periglacial geomorphology B12542 06.15
BSc HUMAN AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE: BSc HUMAN AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 You will complete compulsory modules in Techniques in geography & environmental science Optional modules Climatology Hydrology Biogeography and ecosystems Geomorphology Environmental issues Compulsory modules Career development skill Research training for geographers & environmental scientists or Loddon catchment consultancy One field class from the following: Crete, Greece Naples, Italy Berlin, Germany For more information, please contact: School of Geography & Environmental Science University of Reading Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6UR United Kingdom Tel (0118) 378 7966 gesadmissions@reading.ac.uk www.reading.ac.uk/ geographyand environmentalscience Almeria, Spain You can choose from a wide range of optional modules from within and outside the Department including, Monitoring the earth from space, Geographies of development, Culture, identity & space, Geomorphological hazards, Biogeography & conservation, and Languages. Four modules from a wide range of options to advanced level, as well as your final year dissertation. SOME OF OUR MOST POPULAR MODULES IN RECENT YEARS INCLUDE: Water resources Mediterranean biodiversity field class Climate change Ecosystem modelling Glacial & periglacial geomorphology B12542 06.15
OUR COURSE This course allows you to explore the overlaps and differences between geographical and economic approaches to important current issues of urban and regional development. You will benefit from the teaching of a unique force of both geographers and economists working in this area. BSc GEOGRAPHY & ECONOMICS
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE: BSc GEOGRAPHY & ECONOMICS Year 1 You will complete compulsory modules in Techniques in geography & environmental science Principles of microeconomics Principles of macroeconomics Mathematics for economics Optional modules Human geography: principles and practice Introduction to economic problems and institutions The economics of climate change The economic policy of social problems Year 2 Compulsory modules Research training for geographers & environmental scientists Economic analysis One field class from the following: Crete, Greece Naples, Italy Berlin, Germany Five further optional modules between both departments. Year 3 You will choose from a wide range of modules from both departments to design your own course, as well as undertaking your independent project. For more information, please contact: School of Geography & Environmental Science University of Reading Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6UR United Kingdom Tel (0118) 378 7966 gesadmissions@reading.ac.uk www.reading.ac.uk/ geographyand environmentalscience SOME OF OUR MOST POPULAR MODULES IN RECENT YEARS INCLUDE: Culture and development in Africa Work, employment & development Consumption, globalisation & sustainability International climate change & justice B12542 06.15
BSc ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE: BSc ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 You will complete compulsory modules in Techniques in geography & environmental science Introduction to environmental science Chemistry of the earth and environment Soils in the environment Optional modules Biogeography and ecosystems Our dynamic planet Climatology Hydrology as well as options selected from other departments, including relevant options from Biology, Archaeology, Rural Science and Agriculture, Chemistry, Geography, Meteorology and Languages. Compulsory modules Research training for geographers or Loddon catchment consultancy Excel data management Soil ecology & functions Environmental chemistry Field class: Almeria, Spain Optional Modules GIS Monitoring the earth from space Web page design For more information, please contact: School of Geography & Environmental Science University of Reading Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6UR United Kingdom Tel (0118) 378 7966 gesadmissions@reading.ac.uk www.reading.ac.uk/ geographyand environmentalscience Quaternary global climate change In addition to the dissertation you must take modules in Environmental pollution and Carbon and global change. Students have a choice of 20 credits from a list of available options including: Air pollution effects and control, Climate change, Preparing for floods, and Water resources. SOME OF OUR MOST POPULAR MODULES IN RECENT YEARS INCLUDE: Water resources Mediterranean biodiversity field class Climate change Ecosystem modelling Glacial & periglacial geomorphology B12542 06.15