Bachelor's Programme in Geography, 180 ECTS

The undergraduate programme is a three-year education that leads to a bachelor’s degree in Geography. However, it is of course possible to take the basic course at 30 HECs in order to gain a general orientation in the subject. The first three semesters comprise compulsory courses that provide a solid foundation in the subject. During the subsequent two and a half semesters optional courses are chosen to profile your education. It is also possible to include a five-week period of practical experience in Sweden or abroad, working in a business or organisation that applies geographical skills. The programme is concluded with a degree project.

Geography as a discipline is unique in so far as it combines scientific and socio-scientific knowledge and skills. It provides a comprehensive perspective of the questions of how and why our environment changes, focusing on the interconnection between human living conditions and the natural environment. In addition to subject theory, the programme includes substantial components of fieldwork in differing environments, laboratory experiments as well as a variety of other practical exercises. Field courses are at present held in Sweden, Europe, Namibia, Tanzania and New Zealand. A significant practical element of the education concerns learning how to collect, process and present information in differing forms, using a variety of techniques and methods such as GIS, remote sensing using satellite images and aerial photography, maps, interview techniques and statistics.

Career opportunities As a geographer you will possess extensive knowledge and skills that enable you to focus on the connectivity between humankind, social development, the environment and the earth’s processes of change. Geographers work with problems affecting the world as a whole, that include, for example, trans-border environmental issues such as water resources, climate change, settlements, land use, health and conflicts over resources. Career opportunities exist throughout the entire world, in the field of community planning and the management of resources. The geographer’s capacity to provide a comprehensive perspective is in increasing demand within the spheres of economy, business, international trade, tourism and land management. Geographic insight is furthermore important for enterprises concerned with sustainable development and vulnerability of communities, such as national rescue services agencies, county administrative boards and local authorities. University education in Geography qualifies the graduate to teach Geography.