Study Geography at the University of Edinburgh and explore how people, places, and environments interact. Learn from world-leading researchers while living in one of the world’s most vibrant, historic cities. Study geography The core of geography is the study of how our planet works. Our geography degrees span the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities to address environmental, social and political issues. BSc (Hons) Geography MA (Hons) Geography Accredited Our geography degrees are accredited by the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers. Extensive networks We're one of the UK’s largest groupings of academics shaping responses to climate change, migration, and sustainability. Field work From urban spaces to Scotland’s highlands and coasts, and beyond, field work is at the heart of our programmes. We rank in the world's top 50 and the UK's top 10 universities for geography, natural sciences, environmental sciences, geology, geophysics, earth and marine sciences QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 Join us for an Open Day Our Open Days are a great opportunity to find out about studying with us from our staff and students. Book your place at an Open Day Geography at The University of Edinburgh Do you have a love of the outdoors, the environment, and a hunger to understand how our planet works? Are you concerned about how climate change impacts our atmosphere, oceans, and environment? Geography may be for you. Understanding geography is becoming increasingly important in today's world. Our planet, and humanity, face some of the biggest challenges we have ever known.Geography is the study of the way the world works.Physical geography (BSc) - explore the physical processes of our planet, such as volcanoes, flooding and climate change.Human geography (MA) - address human issues such as sustainability, health and social justice.Our geography programmes are:Interdisciplinary - including aspects of both human and physical geography, important for the understanding of our impact on the world and our ways of living within it.Flexible - you build your degree around topics you are curious or passionate about. BSc Geography Bachelor of Science (BSc) Geography is an environmental geography degree. It specialises in physical geography.Using natural science, we will examine the changes happening to our planet. These changes can occur naturally or as a direct result of people's actions around the world.Discover and study the forces that shape our ever-changing world, including volcanoes, glaciers and ice sheets, environmental degradation, natural hazards such as flooding, landscape geomorphology, and climate change.Our degree enables you to learn sought-after quantitative skills including mapping, computer modelling, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and data presentation. MA Geography Master of Arts (MA) Geography enables you to specialise in human geography.It is key to understanding and resolving many of society's most pressing problems.Human geographers study many different aspects of the modern world, including, public health, deprivation, urban justice. indigenous struggles, land rights, migration, mobility and the climate emergency.We will learn about the relationships between people and their social, cultural, political, and economic worlds. What do our students think? BSc in Geography is a good balance between Earth Sciences and Humanities subjects.Erin, BSc Geography Geography relates to everything. Politics, the environment, everything is geographical.Izzy, MA Geography Learning beyond the classroom Learning doesn't just happen in the classroom.Join Edinburgh, and you'll:Join field trips across Scotland, Europe, and beyond.Develop a global outlook by studying abroad in Year 3.Gain access to world-class facilities, labs, and geospatial data resources.Get involved with student societies, sport clubs, and community projects. What do you do on a Geography field trip?The answer is - a lot! Geography is an incredibly diverse subject. You can explore how our amazing planet works with activities like measuring streams or testing water biodiversity. MA Geography field trip to Fala MoorMA Geography students and lecturer Dr. Fraser MacDonald describe their field trip to Fala Moor. Where do our graduates work? Our geography graduates are valued for their independent research skills, ability to assess quantitative and qualitative data, and analytical understanding of environmental and societal challenges.By studying with us, a range of career opportunities are open to you. Our students have taken up a range of jobs after graduation. Companies our graduates work at includeAccentureNatureScotUnited NationsEcometrica Space ProgrammeNational Museums of ScotlandBBC, CNN and other broadcastersUK civil service, local government and the Scottish GovernmentSatellite and mapping organisations like Geocento, esriUK and MapAction What sectors do they work in?GovernmentPlanning and surveyingGeospatial data analysisEnvironmental consultancyThe financial services sectorCorporate environmental managementEnvironmental and social justice advocacyConservation and natural heritage management Read our alumni stories What's it really like to study here? Our students are sharing their experiences on our blog and Instagram - from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between. Geosciences blog Instagram @uoegeosciences Next steps Explore our Geography degrees MA (Hons) Geography BSc (Hons) Geography This article was published on 2024-09-16
