# What can you do with a Geography degree?

> Source: https://coursetojob.co.uk/courses/geography/ — updated 2026-09-25. Published by CourseToJob (independent; not affiliated with UCAS, HESA or GOV.UK).

**Quick answer:** A Geography degree commonly leads to roles such as gIS technician, planning assistant and environmental consultant (entry). One year after graduating, Geography graduates had median earnings of £24,500 (DfE LEO, 2023–24 tax year). The largest employer sector for Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates is professional, scientific and technical services (27.8% of those in work).

Geography spans human and physical systems, GIS, and fieldwork. Graduates often start in planning, environment, and data roles. Official figures appear when an extract is loaded.

## What jobs can you get with a Geography degree?

- **GIS technician**: Maintains spatial data, runs standard geoprocessing, and produces maps for a project team. Skills often asked for: layers, metadata, map outputs.
- **Planning assistant**. Skills often asked for: application checks, neighbour comments, site photos.
- **Environmental consultant (entry)**. Skills often asked for: desk studies, site notes, permit support.
- **Sustainability assistant**. Skills often asked for: carbon data entry, policy tracking, staff comms.

## Where do Geography graduates work?

Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates in UK employment five years after graduating, by industry (DfE LEO industry data, tax year 2023–24; shares calculated by CourseToJob from DfE's rounded counts).

| Industry | Share of graduates in work | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 27.8% | £36,200 |
| Education | 13.7% | £32,900 |
| Public administration and defence | 11.5% | £34,800 |
| Information and communication | 6% | £42,800 |
| Finance and insurance | 5.7% | £52,700 |
| Administrative and support services | 5.6% | £36,600 |
| Wholesale and retail | 5.2% | £32,200 |
| Health and social work | 4% | £29,600 |

## How much do Geography graduates earn?

UK-domiciled first-degree graduates in Geography (non-specific) (CAH26-01-01). Source: DfE LEO CAH level 3 subject data, tax year 2023–24 (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-catalogue/data-set/d8bc2906-419e-40ef-ad8e-9b2ccd3997dc). Each row is a different graduating cohort.

| Years after graduating | Graduated | Median earnings | Middle half | In work or further study | All-graduate median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021/2022 | £24,500 | £19,800–£29,300 | 90% | £26,400 |
| 3 | 2019/2020 | £30,000 | £26,000–£35,900 | 91.3% | £30,000 |
| 5 | — | Not published | Not published | Not published | £33,700 |
| 10 | — | Not published | Not published | Not published | — |

## Which universities have the highest-earning Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates?

Median earnings five years after graduating, universities with at least 50 graduates measured (DfE LEO provider-level data, 2023–24). Not a quality ranking.

| University | Median earnings | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| [Imperial College London](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/imperial-college-london/) | £54,000 | 55 |
| [University of Oxford](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-oxford/) | £51,200 | 90 |
| [University of Cambridge](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-cambridge/) | £46,100 | 85 |
| [Durham University](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/durham-university/) | £45,000 | 275 |
| [University of Bristol](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-bristol/) | £43,600 | 170 |
| [University College London](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/ucl/) | £42,800 | 100 |
| [King's College London](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/kings-college-london/) | £42,300 | 115 |
| [University of Edinburgh](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-edinburgh/) | £40,300 | 170 |
| [Loughborough University](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/loughborough-university/) | £40,300 | 105 |
| [University of Nottingham](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-nottingham/) | £39,900 | 195 |

## Is Geography the right degree for you?

You may enjoy it if:
- You like maps, fieldwork, and explaining spatial patterns.
- You want both environmental science and social context.
- You are willing to learn GIS properly.

It may not suit you if:
- You wanted a course with no quantitative work.
- You dislike being outdoors in bad weather.
- You expected an automatic planning chartership.

## Interview questions for Geography graduate roles

GIS, planning and environmental-consultant interviews usually test maps, evidence, and talking to non-specialists. These prompts are editorial illustrations.

- A map looks convincing but the legend is missing. What do you refuse to conclude? (What it tests: You do not over-read a pretty picture.)
- Two datasets use different boundaries. How do you say that in a note? (What it tests: Modifiable areal unit honesty.)
- A resident says flooding ‘never happened here’. How do you respond in a meeting? (What it tests: Listening, then bringing records without humiliating them.)
- What would you check before using a satellite layer in a client slide? (What it tests: Date, resolution, licence, and what it cannot show.)
- A site visit clashes with bad weather. What still needs doing? (What it tests: Safety versus the evidence you still owe.)

## Frequently asked questions

### What jobs can you do with a Geography degree?

Common starting roles include gIS technician, planning assistant, environmental consultant (entry) and sustainability assistant. Five years after graduating, the most common sectors for Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates in work were professional, scientific and technical services (27.8%), education (13.7%) and public administration and defence (11.5%). These are examples, not guaranteed jobs: your experience, location and further training matter.

### How much do Geography graduates earn in the UK?

DfE Longitudinal Education Outcomes data for the 2023–24 tax year shows median earnings for UK-domiciled Geography graduates of £24,500 one year after graduating and £30,000 three years after graduating. Each figure describes a different graduating cohort, not one person's pay rise, and it is gross pay for those in sustained employment, not a starting salary offer.

### Which universities have the highest-earning Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates?

Among universities in our index with at least 50 graduates measured, the highest five-year median earnings for Geography, earth and environmental studies were at Imperial College London (£54,000), University of Oxford (£51,200) and University of Cambridge (£46,100). These figures reflect entry grades, subject mix and where graduates work, so they are not a measure of teaching quality.

### Can international students study Geography in the UK?

Yes, most UK universities accept international applicants, but entry requirements, recognised qualifications, English-language evidence and overseas tuition fees depend on the university and programme. Check the university course page and international admissions team, then check visa requirements on GOV.UK.


Apply for undergraduate courses on UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/courses?query=Geography