Top Ranked Geography Universities and Programs in the World
About Geography
Geography is a broad discipline that includes everything from natural and social sciences. It is the scientific study of places and the relationships between people and their environment including political and economic activities. A geographer is an expert in the field of geography that studies the earth’s landscapes, places, climate, people, and environment to solve contemporary environmental and social problems, depending on whether they are physical or human geographers.
With the growth of satellite technology and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), the profession of a geographer is becoming a more viable career option than ever before, from a local to a global scale. It is a potential career option for anyone interested in studying the earth’s geography. This page talks about what a geographer does, what kind of degrees are available to geography students, and job options in this field. It also includes a list of the greatest geography universities throughout the world and the programs they provide.
Duties of Geographers
Depending upon their job type and specialization, geographers can either work full-time in an office or work part-time in an office and then do fieldwork to gather information and data. Physical geographers study the earth’s physical properties, while human geographers study human activity and its interactions with the physical environment. A typical geographer does the following tasks, though their responsibilities vary greatly:
- Gather data and information on physical properties or study human interactions with the physical environment
- Conduct research through surveys and interviews
- Write reports and present their findings
- Publish research in the form of articles
- Create and modify geographical data
- Help, counsel, or lead other geographers and researchers
- Stay updated with recent trends in the field
Popular degrees for pursuing a career in Geography
A bachelor’s degree is required to work in the field of geography. Universities all across the world offer both arts and science degrees in geography. Arts degrees provide a broader education with fewer credits, whereas a science degree in geography concentrates on the subject’s depth of understanding. Students typically pursue master’s specialized courses in geography to advance their careers and earn higher salaries. A doctorate in geography is usually required for research and academic purposes.
Popular bachelor’s programs in Geography
- B.A. in Geography
- B.A. Hons. in Geography
- B.Sc. in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- B.S. in Geology
- B.S. in Geosciences
- B.S. in Geographical Information Systems
Popular master’s programs in Geography
- M.A. in Geography
- M.A. in Geology
- M.Phil. in Geography
- M.S. in Geography and Environmental Studies
- M.Sc. in Cultural Geography
- M.S. in Urban and Economic Geography
- M.S. in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- M.A. in Geography and Environmental Engineering
- M.S. in Geosciences
- M.S. in Geographic Information Systems
Popular doctoral programs in Geography
- Ph.D. in Geography
- Ph.D. in Political Geography
- Ph.D. in Geology
- Ph.D. in Geosciences
- Ph.D. in Physical Geography and Geoecology
Specializations in Geography
Natural sciences, sometimes known as earth science, and human geography are the two primary divisions of geography. The former is concerned with the physical materials and processes of the earth, whereas the latter is concerned with social science issues of the human race and cultures. Based on these classifications, the following specializations are offered in the field of geography:
- Environmental science
- Resource management
- Geomatics
- Cultural geography
- Economic geography
- Political geography
- Historical geography
- Transportation geography
- Regional and country-specific geography
- Medical geography
- Geomorphology
- Hydrology
- Glaciology
- Climatology
Duration of programs in Geography
In North America, a bachelor’s degree in geography, whether arts or science, normally takes four years, although, in Europe and the rest of the world, it can take three to four years. A master’s degree in geography can be completed in one or two years. Doctoral degrees in geography take three to five years in the USA and Canada, although they take three to four years in other regions.
Country | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | Doctoral Degree |
USA and Canada | 4 years | 2 years | 3-5 years |
UK | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-4 years |
Australia | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-4 years |
Others | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-4 years |
Career opportunities in Geography
Although it may be difficult to believe, occupations in geography can help discover solutions to some of today’s most important concerns, such as climate change, overpopulation, natural catastrophes, and urban expansion. Therefore, a geography degree is a good start for anyone who wants to make a real change in the world. The career path in geography one chooses, depends on whether the student has specialized in physical or human geography. There are plenty of opportunities in both branches of geography.
- Town planner
- Academic researcher
- Geography professor
- Geographical information systems officer
- Conservation officer
- Cartographer
- Environmental consultant
- Landscape architect
- Geoscientist
- Political geographer
- Health geographer
- Climate scientist
- Cultural geographer
Average salaries for Geographers
Many entry-level positions require only a bachelor’s degree in geography, but the salary is lower. A master’s degree in geography opens up additional professional opportunities and pays better. A doctorate degree is seldom required The following are the average salaries for geographers around the world:
Country | Average salary in USD*/year |
Australia | 91,453 (Indeed) |
UK | 81,595 (Economic Research Institute) |
USA | 80,706 (Indeed) |
Germany | 74,183 (Economic Research Institute) |
Canada | 71,767 (Indeed) |
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
Top 50 universities in the world for Geography based on subject rankings
Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 | University of Oxford | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
2 | 51-100 | NA | Wageningen University & Research | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
3 | 20 | 69 | Utrecht University | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
4 | 9 | 18 | University College London | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
5 | 3 | 5 | University of Cambridge | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
6 | 16 | 33 | The University of Melbourne | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
7 | 25 | 143 | Exeter University | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
8 | 15 | 162 | Durham University | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
9 | 48 | 110 | The University of Sheffield | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
10 | 24 | 50 | The University of Manchester | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
11 | 46 | 146 | Newcastle University | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
12 | 32 | 127 | University of Leeds | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
13 | 8 | 37 | University of British Columbia | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
14 | 48 | 176 | Stockholm University | Sweden | Click Here | Click Here |
15 | 7 | 54 | The Australian National University | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
16 | 51-100 | 158 | University of Colorado at Boulder | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
17 | 51-100 | 54 | The University of Queensland | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
18 | 26 | 35 | King’s College London | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
19 | 45 | 96 | University of Copenhagen | Denmark | Click Here | Click Here |
20 | 28 | 58 | University of Wisconsin – Madison | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
21 | 27 | 29 | University of Washington | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
22 | 14 | 65 | University of Amsterdam | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
23 | 51-100 | 189 | Cardiff University | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
24 | 12 | 18 | University of Toronto | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
25 | 51-100 | 132 | Arizona State University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
26 | 5 | 21 | National University of Singapore | Singapore | Click Here | Click Here |
27 | 51-100 | 115 | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
28 | NA | NA | ETH Zurich | Switzerland | Click Here | Click Here |
29 | 17 | 30 | The University of Edinburgh | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
30 | 23 | 116 | Lund University | Sweden | Click Here | Click Here |
31 | 4 | 8 | University of California, Berkeley | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
32 | NA | NA | Stanford University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
33 | 51-100 | 75 | University of Zurich | Switzerland | Click Here | Click Here |
34 | 51-100 | 150 | University of Arizona | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
35 | 51-100 | 104 | Aarhus University | Denmark | Click Here | Click Here |
36 | 51-100 | 170 | Autonomous University of Barcelona | Spain | Click Here | Click Here |
36 | 51-100 | 86 | University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
38 | 10 | 30 | The University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | Click Here | Click Here |
39 | 101-150 | 93 | University of Maryland, College Park | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
40 | 11 | 74 | Humboldt University of Berlin | Germany | Click Here | Click Here |
41 | 37 | 92 | University of Bristol | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
42 | 51-100 | 101 | University of Helsinki | Finland | Click Here | Click Here |
43 | 29 | 44 | McGill University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
44 | 2 | 27 | London School of Economics and Political Science | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
45 | 50 | 85 | The Ohio State University – Columbus | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
46 | 6 | 20 | University of California, Los Angeles | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
47 | 51-100 | 86 | The University of Glasgow | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
48 | 101-150 | 124 | University of Southampton | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
49 | 51-100 | 119 | University of Oslo | Norway | Click Here | Click Here |
50 | NA | NA | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Sweden | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in the USA for Geography
For students wanting to make a career in geography, the USA is the best place to study as it has world-renowned universities offering ample courses in geography. Although certifications are not required for geographers in the USA, most positions require geographers to be proficient in GIS to demonstrate expertise in the field. The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is well-known for offering certifications to geographers both for post-graduate and undergraduate degrees in geography. The following table highlights the top American universities offering bachelor’s and master’s courses in geography.
Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
16 | 51-100 | 158 | University of Colorado at Boulder | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
20 | 28 | 58 | University of Wisconsin – Madison | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
21 | 27 | 29 | University of Washington | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
25 | 51-100 | 132 | Arizona State University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
31 | 4 | 8 | University of California, Berkeley | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in the UK for Geography
As per the QS, Shanghai, and THE rankings of geography universities around the world, the highest number of universities offering geography courses are in the UK. Therefore, many aspiring geographers choose to study in the UK. The UK’s top-most universities, such as the University of Oxford, University College London, University of Cambridge, etc., offer a wide range of specializations for master’s in geography. Some universities in the UK offer all three: doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s programs in geography.
Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
1 | 1 | 1 | University of Oxford | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
4 | 9 | 18 | University College London | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
5 | 3 | 5 | University of Cambridge | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
7 | 25 | 143 | Exeter University | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
8 | 15 | 162 | Durham University | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in Canada for Geography
Students looking for scholarships and funding should definitely choose Canada as a study destination. Even the private colleges in Canada are known to offer fully-funded scholarships to their international students. Well-known Canadian universities like the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and McGill University top the list of the best universities for master’s and bachelor’s degrees in geography. While there are other universities too in Canada that offer quality education in the form of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography.
Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
13 | 8 | 37 | University of British Columbia | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
24 | 12 | 18 | University of Toronto | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
43 | 29 | 44 | McGill University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in Australia for Geography
With the highest immigration rates and high-quality education, Australia ranks high on the list of the best study abroad destinations for international students. As per job statistics provided by Indeed, geographers in Australia, preferably with a master’s degree in geography, are paid an average salary of 91,453 USD/year, which is higher than in the USA and UK. Even candidates with a bachelor’s degree in geography are well paid.
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
6 | 16 | 33 | The University of Melbourne | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
15 | 7 | 54 | The Australian National University | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
17 | 51-100 | 54 | The University of Queensland | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in the Netherlands for Geography
Many Dutch universities offer English-taught master’s and bachelor’s courses in geography. Therefore, a lot of prospective geographers prefer to study geography courses in the Netherlands. The bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography offered by these Dutch universities are internationally recognized, which makes it easier to get a job anywhere in the world.
Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
2 | 51-100 | NA | Wageningen University & Research | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
3 | 20 | 69 | Utrecht University | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
22 | 14 | 65 | University of Amsterdam | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
27 | 51-100 | 115 | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Netherlands | Click Here | Click Here |
Academic requirements for studying Geography
Applicants in the field of geography should have studied basic geography principles in school. Some high schools also teach geography and related subjects. Geographers must also possess specific skills, such as analytical, problem-solving, communication, and computer skills. Students must also write strong inspiring and recommendation letters while applying to universities abroad, as many universities select candidates based on them. Since the competition for admission to top colleges in geography is intense, students can apply through the Gyanberry website to improve their chances of acceptance. Before applying for geography degrees, students should take into account the following academic prerequisites.
Bachelor’s level
- A high school education with a 3.0 GPA or above
- Academic transcripts
- Valid passport
- Personal statement
- Passport photographs
- Completed visa application
- Letter of recommendation
- English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL (90 and above) or IELTS (6.0 and above)
Master’s level
- Internationally recognized bachelor’s degree in geography or its relevant field with a GPA of 3.0
- Academic transcripts
- Valid passport
- Passport photographs
- Completed visa application
- Motivational letter
- Resume
- Recommendation letters
- Research publications
- English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)
Doctoral level
- Honours or master’s degree in geography or related fields with a GPA of at least 3.0
- Academic transcripts
- Valid passport
- Passport photographs
- Completed visa application
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- Resume
- Work experience (highly recommended)
- Research publications
- Personal interview
- English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.