Geography is both a physical and social science that studies the different processes and phenomena taking place on the earth’s surface and how it is affected by various patterns of human activity. It also seeks to examine different environmental and societal issues and help come up with ways to safeguard our planet’s future.
Degrees in geography also involve a great deal of fieldwork and other immersive and practical learning activities that help impart a wide range of skills such as data collection, evaluation, and presentation, problem-solving, creative thinking, communication, leadership, and adaptability, which are highly valued by employers around the world.
Studying geography abroad will also give you an instant advantage after graduation because of the good impression your international degree will make to your potential employers. Below are the five best countries that you can choose from to study geography abroad!
Is Geography a popular degree?
Yes, in its essence geography is a very popular degree as it tends to have access to many professions and it allows students to have a wide spectrum of career opportunities. Geography has always been popular as people were always curious on the planet and the ways that is has evolved during the years, and this curiosity still remains where people tend to study every element that is present on earth. Currently, we do not posses information on this specific course but if you are interested you can check all the available courses that are a part of our website.
Top Countries to Study Geography Abroad
1. Belgium
- Reason: internationally-renowned universities, opportunity to learn new languages, the significant contribution of geography to national development
Belgium is a country in western Europe that is famous for its chocolate, castles, medieval towns, and cobblestone architecture. International students are also drawn to study in one of the country’s top universities that are known for the superior quality of higher education, significant contributions in research, and prominent international influence. Though there are several English-taught programs in Belgian universities, studying in this trilingual country is also a good opportunity to learn a new language and communicate using one or all of its three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
Belgium is a top country to study geography because it has a long and rich history of geographers and geographical societies actively participating in different projects for the development of the nation. At present, geography is one of the most in-demand degrees in the country. Geography programs are characterized by several inter-university activities as well as collaborations with different international organizations and research groups.
Some of Belgium’s most well-known universities offering high-quality geography degrees are the University of Liege, Ghent University, Catholic University of Leuven, Catholic University of Louvain, and the Free University of Brussels.
2. Brazil
- Reason: vibrant culture, warm and friendly locals, supportive government, internationally-recognized universities
Known for its famous Carnival, vibrant culture, and people’s love for sports and festivities, Brazil is one of the most visited countries in South America. Brazilian locals are known for living their lives to the fullest and their warm and welcoming nature towards tourists and international students.
Brazil is a developing country and is known for being a top destination to study geography. Its education system is rapidly improving and the country’s government continues to increase expenditure and conduct different measures to enhance the quality of its education system. Brazil has several excellent universities that are consistently appearing in international rankings. Its universities are dedicated to providing transformative education and research for the benefit of society.
Geography degrees in Brazil aim to provide an in-depth understanding of different geographical processes. Students also use different analytical tools and techniques in identifying factors that affect these phenomena and their impact on society and the environment. Among the universities in Brazil that offer the best geography degrees are the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo University, State University of Campinas, University of Brasilia, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
3. Australia
- Reason: high-quality education, diverse landscape, interdisciplinary learning
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international study because of the superior quality of education, world-class infrastructure, warm climate, beautiful beaches, and multicultural environment. The country’s diverse landscape, which consists of desert, fertile plains, mountain ranges, tropical and subtropical rainforests, and highly urbanized areas, offers a stimulating environment for students taking geography degrees.
Geography degrees in Australia are known to be excellent in the world as they provide a combination of competencies in physical, environmental, and social sciences. Students learn all about the earth’s processes and how these are affected by human interaction and other factors. They also discuss and find alternative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues such as environmental degradation, population growth, and climate change.
Some of the best universities in Australia to study geography are the Australian National University, James Cook University, Griffith University, University of Queensland, and the University of Melbourne.
Learn more about: Best Geography Schools in the World
4. New Zealand
- Reason: a safe environment, high quality of life, excellent education system, highly-ranked geography programs
New Zealand is known for its breathtaking scenery, safe environment, high quality of life, low crime rate, and excellent education system. All eight of the country’s universities are included in the top 100 universities in the world. Students in New Zealand also get to balance their studies and leisure time because of the countless outdoor activities that they can do in the country’s stunning landscapes.
Geography programs in New Zealand are among the highest-ranking in the world. They go beyond classroom learning and impart students with relevant research, analytical, and communication skills in exploring different environmental, societal, and developmental challenges and coming up with practical and sustainable solutions to address them. They also touch on Maori and other indigenous cultural perspectives in understanding human activity and how they interact with and affect the natural world.
Some of the universities in New Zealand that offer the best programs in geography include the University of Otago, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, Massey University, and the Victoria University of Wellington.
5. Japan
- Reason: high-quality education for affordable fees and cutting-edge technology
Hundreds of thousands of international students go to Japan each year because of its world-class education, its universities’ affordable tuition fees, cutting-edge technology, and rich culture. Having been affected by different social and environmental phenomena such as rapid urbanization, tropical storms, and strong earthquakes, Japan is among the top countries to study geography and remains to be one of the most developed economies in Asia and the world which makes it an ideal and relevant country for studying geography.
Students taking geography programs get to utilize the most advanced facilities and equipment in conducting research, laboratory, and fieldwork. Among the top universities for studying geography in Japan are the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, University of Tsukuba, Hokkaido University, and Kyushu University.
Check out: Cost of Living and Studying in Japan for International Students
We hope that this article on Best Countries to Study Geography Abroad was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to know more about studying abroad!
