Choose Leicester to Study Geography
If you are considering studying geography at undergraduate or postgraduate level, here is why you should choose Leicester:
The University of Leicester is a six times consecutive Times Higher Awards winner, including University of the Year 2008, Outstanding Student Support in 2009, Outstanding Library Team in 2012. Leicester is ranked fourth in the 2012 National Student Survey amongst 120 mainstream public universities in the UK.
The Geography department is ranked 10th and 11th in the country for Human and Physical Geography respectively in the Sunday Times University Guide 2013. This survey ranks institutions according to marks scored in categories such as teaching excellence, student satisfaction, research quality and future employment prospects.
A dedicated workplace geographies module and Careers Officer to help you get the job (or Masters/PhD course) you want. According to the Guardian University Guide 2013, 3 in 5 Leicester geography graduates are employed within 6 months. Another 1 in 3 go on to postgraduate study.
Recently refurbished facilities comprise state-of-the-art physical geography laboratories including new microscopes, a contemporary and past environmental change lab and a qualitative research methods and analysis lab equipped with the latest media, photographic and social networking hardware and software. We have dedicated GIS computer rooms and a Virtual Reality development suite.
Exciting new and fresh curricula developments include modules in Global Geopolitical Economy, Origins and Evolution of the Earth System, Landscape-Ecosystem Dynamics, Core Concepts in Human Geography, An Introduction to Globalisation and Global Inequalities.
Fantastic field course opportunities to locations such as the Amazon Rainforest, the National Parks of SW USA, New York, Kenya, SE Spain and the Mojave Desert and Death Valley. All compulsory (year 1 and 2) field courses are 100% subsidised by the University. Bursaries are available for year 3 optional field courses.
Amazing opportunities to spend a year studying abroad. Fancy learning Geography in the USA, Canada or Australia? If you want to stay slightly closer to home we have European Commission supported ERASMUS opportunities in France, Spain, The Netherlands and Finland.
A Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Geographical Information Science or GIS for short (think Google Earth/sat navs, crowd sourcing, satellite data). Many of our staff pursue research interests in GIS and employers will love your abilities to analyse and visualise their spatial data in ways they could only have dreamt about. GIS is a unique selling point for Leicester geographers.
Strong links to the Centre for Landscape and Climate Research which is led by Professor Heiko Balzter, Professor of Physical Geography. If you are interested in interactions of the water cycle with ecosystems across multiple spatial and temporal scales then there is a great opportunity to get involved
A dedicated undergraduate resource centre and study room in the department with printing facilities, Wifi etc. Next door is a massive computer suite.
Perform at your very best. Take advantage of our accessible, structured and friendly academic and personal tutoring schemes. Our high staff-UG student ratio, weekly staff office hours and approachable teaching and research staff will ensure that you quickly become well known in the department and get all the support you need.
Peer-to-peer support networks are run by our very own undergraduates, and our buddy scheme will enable you to get answers to any questions you have (especially when you first arrive at Leicester). Everyone has a buddy from day 1.
A very active Geographical Society (creatively named the GeogSoc) that organises social, sporting and academic events. They recently hosted a talk by Andy Atkins, the Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth.
A newly developed Student Union building that houses an O2 Academy venue. The librarywas fully refurbished in 2008 and is absolutely state of the art in providing rooms and access to IT and social media as well as full digital online access to most academic materials.
When you want to relax and exercise then you can make full use of a range of sporting facilities. We host modern, well equipped gyms, and the University of Leicester is the only University in the UK to have access to 2 swimming pools, one on campus and one near to the Halls of Residence. We also have outdoor pitches, squash courts and sports halls.
… and finally when you graduate and embark on your career we will keep in touch with you through our LinkedIn Alumni Group and share your successes as you become a professional geographer.
Come and join a thriving research culture shared by academic staff, research associates, postgraduates and undergraduates.
Get in touch with our Ambassadors through Facebook to find out more. Follow us on Twitterfor the very latest news and information about our ground-breaking research and teaching. Tweet us a question and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Our 'Research' pages contain details of the research strengths of the department including descriptions of many projects that we are working on. Our 'School Teacher’s Zone' contains our lectures for schools programme and details about A level enrichment workshops.
Over recent years our students are among the most satisfied Geography students in the UK. Employment prospects remain strong. 90% of our graduates enter paid employment or study for a higher degree within six months of leaving.
You will be joining a friendly, vibrant, busy and research-active department and be able to immediately start your degree in geography in our brand new, state-of-the-art facilities.
You will have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to take part in a large choice of field trips, which are still heavily subsidised by the University. You will also have the chance to spend your third year in either Canada or the USA as part of our year abroad degree.
Studying Geography at Leicester will enhance and broaden your academic knowledge, develop your communication skills and provide excellent career opportunities.
English Language Requirements
If you have not previously been taught in English or are not a native English speaker:
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English language requirements are IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in all four categories), TOEFL 575 (paper), 250 (computer-based), or 90 (internet-based) or equivalent.
