Undergraduate study

Geography

Geography is the integrated study of the earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It offers revealing insights into some of the most pressing problems currently facing humanity.

It is unique in bridging the social sciences (human geography) with its understanding of the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies, and the earth sciences (physical geography), the dynamics of physical landscapes and environmental processes. This subject combines the two areas of physical and human geography to study and understand interactions between people, and between people and the physical environments in which they live.

In its role as an integrating discipline, geography provides an ideal framework for relating to other fields of knowledge. Those trained as geographers often contribute substantially to the applied management of resources and environments.

Sustainable development

Sustainable development is a unique, interdisciplinary programme. The programme is Scotland's flagship higher education degree programme on sustainability.

The overall goal of the programme is to enable students to critically interrogate the principles and practice of sustainable development. This allows students to contribute to the evolution of innovative, interdisciplinary thinking and action in this area.

Through teaching and learning opportunities, the programme encourages students to:

develop critical perspectives on sustainable development
reflect on societal values and actions
take responsibility for the environment

The course provides them with knowledge and skills to effectively act in this regard.

Degrees on offer

The School offers the following undergraduate degrees:

Geography programme

Sub-honours

You will spend the first two years of the degree completing the core geography training. In first year, a typical combination of courses might be Geography and two other subjects.

In second year, students take two courses, Geography and a subject area of your choice (usually one of those studied in first year).

Honours

At Honours level, the degree is divided into core and optional modules. The core material is designed to equip students with the skills required to complete the programme. The remainder of the programme comprises optional modules selected from a wide range of topics. This structure allows for rigorous training while giving students the flexibility to design their degree according to their own interests and enthusiasms. Students also attend an overseas field trip in their third year.

Sustainable Development programme

Sub-honours

Your first two years of study illustrate the breadth of issues involved in sustainable development. In the first year of your studies, you will study Sustainable Development and two other subjects.

In second year, you will continue to study Sustainable Development and at least one other subject (usually one of those studied in first year).

Honours

The knowledge you gain will prepare you for your final two years, during which you will have the opportunity to choose from a range of modules from different Schools. These modules allow you to pursue your specific interests and explore the practice of sustainability through specific field visits.
Students are equipped with the intellectual skills and knowledge necessary to address the rapidly growing concerns about the relationship between society and environment.

There is no doubt that a degree from the University of St Andrews opens doors to a great diversity of careers. Graduates in these subjects are typically lifelong learners with an appreciation of the value of a broad-based education that develops a wide range of transferable skills.

Undergraduate study

Geography

Sustainable development

Degrees on offer

Course structure

Career prospects