GEOGRAPHY AT OXFORD
Studying geography at Oxford is a truly fantastic opportunity to learn about a huge range of important issues, whether that's climate change, gender politics, or economic inequality. The course includes both human and physical geography, with the option to focus more on your preferred area later on.
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Keep reading to find out more about the way the course is structured, or check out our Alternative Prospectus here!
YEAR 1 (Prelims)
In the first year, the four compulsory courses (Earth Systems Processes, Human Geography, Geographical Controversies and Geographical Techniques) allow students to explore both the physical and human aspects of the subject. These courses form the basis for the four written exams that happen at the end of first year.
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In terms of fieldwork, there is a trip to Dorset for four days during the first term, which is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow geographers! This is a physical field trip, and then there is also a one-day human geography field trip exercise which will be conducted in Oxford.
YEARS 2 & 3 (Final Honour School)
Years 2 and 3 allow you to venture into what interests you most. As a second year, you will complete two foundational courses. There are three courses to choose from:
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Everyone also gets taught the Geographical Thought course and three other optional course to study across the two years. There are a number of options to choose from, so you can choose what interests you most!
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Students also go on an overseas field trip during their second year. Currently, the destinations are Tenerife, Netherlands, or Berlin but these may change in the future. Since this trip is compulsory, the cost is primarily covered by the geography department.
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Students are assessed based upon: 6 written exams (Geographical Thought, 2 foundational papers, 3 option papers); 3 extended essays (1 per option); fieldwork report; dissertation.
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Space,place, and society
earth system dynamics
environmental geography
Colleges
Your college will be your home away from home at Oxford so it's worth researching what you're looking for! Geography is currently offered at the 14 colleges listed here. Factors you may want to influence your decision of college include cohort size, location, accommodation, and cooking facilities.
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Each college also carries out their own access and outreach activities. We've compiled details of geography specific outreach in a document here!