Many top-leading schools worldwide are offering the finest programs and courses for geography to students who yearn to explore the Earth’s physical properties, study different places, and learn about the relationships between humans and the environment they live. Getting a degree in geography will give students highly transferable skills, making them flexible for many job opportunities.
Geography covers varied subjects, which makes the field exciting, and it’s also full of adventures. With the growing problems that our world is facing today, climate change, environmental sustainability, urban regeneration, human rights, natural disasters, energy source, and international relations, geographers are in demand in every sector of our society as they have a broad knowledge of these issues and are capable of making the best judgment.
In the guide below, we talk about some of the best geography schools in the world.
What is the Highest Degree in Geography?
Gaining a degree in the field of geography is quite an amazing feat, as it tends to be quite a hard journey. There are multiple levels of education when it comes to this field, and they begin with the primary level that contains the title of a bachelor’s degree, which is followed by a master’s degree that usually lasts two years, which is followed by a Ph.D. that lasts up to three years. The higher the title, the higher the success rate for students, and that is the main reason why they all try to attain the highest level. We currently do not have information about this particular course, but you can check various courses on our website as they tend to help with your future choices.
See Also: The Best Countries to Study Geography
Top Geography Schools in the World
1. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is known worldwide for its many prestigious degree programs breaking records in many academic league tables. It came 1st in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject in Geography with the highest score for overall academic reputation, employability rate, and research impact.
With Oxford University being one of the best geography schools in the world, its School of Geography and Environment is a leading institution in many cross-university research networks and is also home to three world-renowned research centers. Getting a degree here means students will study unique and integrative courses that will apply to face the challenges of the 21st century. In addition to that, the versatility of Oxford’s programs will allow every student to pursue different interest areas, whether at the disciplinary intersection or in physical, environmental, or human geography.
The School has many collaborative partners with world-renowned researchers who will guide students throughout their studies. Most importantly, every degree holder from Oxford’s geography programs will gain the essential transferable skills to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in the industry.
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge has a long history of setting a solid international reputation in research and having one of the best geography departments in the UK and worldwide. It has produced many globally-renowned geographers, including the world’s most influential economic geographer, David Harvey.
The Department of Geography at Cambridge is highly committed to providing a research-stimulating teaching approach across various topics related to geography. Studying at Cambridge will enable students to gain expansive and flexible skills through lectures, collaborative and professional supervision, practical field trips and field works, and of course, dissertations.
The university ensures that its students will develop the essential theoretical and analytical skills and critical thinking in subjects that are interrelated with geography like humanities, social sciences, and physical and natural sciences. Students will face and solve real-world problems through practical fieldwork and coursework, including economic inequalities, social injustices, and environmental issues. The University of Cambridge also offers advanced and research-intensive Master/MPhil and Doctoral programs in geography.
Learn About: The University of Cambridge Admission Process and Tips
3. London School of Economics and Political Science
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of Europe’s top-leading research institutions and the flagship research center for various disciplines concerning social sciences, including accounting, law, management, and social policy. The Department of Geography and Environment at LSE is a global academic center for human and economic geography and environmental social science and policy. The department is highly committed to nurturing students with competent skills and valuable knowledge of geography essential for economic development, urban and regional planning, and environmental social science and climate change.
LSE ranks 2nd in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject in Geography. As a leading geography institution, LSE offers a range of interdisciplinary degree programs in geography at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate levels of studies that will enable students to deepen and master their skills based on their interests through specialization courses.
4. University of California, Berkeley
One of the 10 affiliated campuses of the University of California is in Berkeley and is known as a leading institution for geography. It ranks 4th globally in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject in Geography.
The Department of Geography at the University of California, Berkeley offers degree programs with a broad range of topics involving the culture of cities and built landscapes, vital elements of our global economy, environmental concerns and climate change, and origins of agriculture and the evolution of plant life. Berkeley also offers one of the nation’s best graduate training programs on geography that focuses on development & environment, local & global relations, and global environmental change.
5. University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the “Public Ivies,” a group of top-tier public research universities in the United States. In 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject, UCLA was considered one of the world’s top 10 best universities for English language and literature, linguistics, geography, medicine, arts and humanities, mathematics, chemistry, and others.
The Department of Geography at UCLA is one of the best geography schools in the United States and worldwide, focusing on physical and human geography. Students may major in geography or geography/environmental studies at the undergraduate level. Each program will deepen their understanding, at the same time, develop solutions to the world’s most pressing issues, such as environmental issues and climate change. They will also learn geological perspectives on human and natural systems.
UCLA’s Department of Geography is also considered one of the top-rated departments in the US by the National Research Council.
6. Australian National University
Another one of the world’s top geography schools, the Australian National University (ANU) is a leading public university in Australia with an outstanding international reputation for research and academia. It ranks 27th worldwide in the 2022 QS World University Rankings with the highest research impact in various disciplines, employers’ satisfaction, and standard quality of teaching.
ANU will enrich students with the theoretical and practical skills essential for application in multiple systems and settings related to geography. ANU’s College of Science offers courses to expose students to experiential and field-based learning, GIS and spatial technology, modeling principles, integrated research training, and small-group education. ANU also offers graduate programs with degrees related to geography.
Check Out: The Cost of Studying and Living in Australia for International Students
7. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of Canada’s top-leading public research universities that consistently ranks among the best in the world. UBC has a long history of shaping the world through its research for global impact. UBC’s Department of Geography is one of the best worldwide, offering interdisciplinary courses that will enable students to deepen their understanding of natural and social processes that shape our environment and our place, as humans, within it. UBC is also committed to nurturing geographers who contribute to the most challenging issues in our environment and society today.
We hope that you found this article on the best geography schools in the world informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad!
