Geography

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree:

• Cartographer
• Ecologist
• Environmental consultant
• Geographical information systems officer
• Hydrologist
• Nature conservation officer
• Social researcher
• Sustainability consultant
• Town planner
• Transport planner

Jobs where your degree would be useful:

• Business analyst
• Construction manager
• Data analyst
• Environmental manager
• Landscape architect
• Market researcher
• Planning and development surveyor
• Political risk analyst
• Secondary school teacher
• Supply chain manager

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Relevant experience can help you explore different areas of geography, develop practical skills and show employers that you understand the sector.

If you're unsure whether you want to pursue physical geography, human geography or a broader graduate career, try short placements, volunteering, insight events or virtual work experience in different settings.

You could consider looking at:

• charities and conservation organisations
• environmental and planning consultancies
• geospatial and surveying businesses
• local councils and government departments
• research organisations
• transport and infrastructure organisations
• utility and energy companies.

The Royal Geographical Society's work experience directory lists in-person and online opportunities across a range of geography-related sectors.

Fieldwork develops practical skills in data collection, observation, analysis, risk assessment and teamwork, which you can highlight in applications.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Geography graduates work across the environmental, geospatial, planning, transport, energy, education, finance and public-service sectors. Their research, data analysis and problem-solving skills are also valued in general business and professional roles.

Employers include:

• charities and non-governmental organisations
• environmental, engineering and planning consultancies
• environmental regulators and government agencies
• geospatial, mapping and data businesses
• local and central government
• property, construction and surveying firms
• research organisations and universities
• schools and colleges
• transport and logistics organisations
• utility, energy and water companies.

Find information on employers in environment and agriculture, energy and utilities, public services and administration and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

Studying geography develops your understanding of the relationships between people, places and the environment. Depending on your course, you may gain experience in fieldwork, digital mapping, geographical information systems, remote sensing, statistical analysis and qualitative research.

You'll also develop skills in:

• collecting, analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data
• communicating complex geographical information through reports, presentations, maps and data visualisations
• considering environmental, social and ethical issues from different perspectives
• managing projects, workloads and deadlines
• planning research, solving problems and evaluating evidence
• using GIS, mapping software, databases and spreadsheets
• working independently and collaboratively on fieldwork and other projects.

Further study

You may choose postgraduate study to specialise in an area of geography or develop skills for a particular career.

Depending on your degree content and the course entry requirements, options include geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing and Earth observation, environmental conservation and management, human geography research, sustainability, urban studies, coastal and marine management, water resources, meteorology and oceanography.

You could also take a postgraduate conversion or professional course to enter a career such as teaching, surveying, town or regional planning, or landscape architecture. Other graduates choose broader postgraduate study in areas such as business, management or data science.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in geography.

What do geography students do?

The five most commonly reported occupations of geography graduates include:

• environment professionals (10%)
• sales and retail assistants (5%)
• secondary education teaching professionals (4%)
• business associate professionals (4%)
• waiters and waitresses (3%).

For a detailed breakdown of what geography graduates are doing 15 months after graduation, see What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.