UCL Geography 2012 Applicants Thread

Thanks guys!

On a side note, i got an offer from LSE for Geography with Economics and now i'm really unsure of which uni to firm. I think UCL has a more all-rounded course both in terms of Geography and Economics (LSE is major-minor) but I'm really interested in Human Geography esp Development or Geopolitics. Help? I desperately need some second opinions >< Anyone in the same situation? I know there was this undergrad at UCL for Econ n Geo n he rejected LSE

Thanks guys!

On a side note, i got an offer from LSE for Geography with Economics and now i'm really unsure of which uni to firm. I think UCL has a more all-rounded course both in terms of Geography and Economics (LSE is major-minor) but I'm really interested in Human Geography esp Development or Geopolitics. Help? I desperately need some second opinions >< Anyone in the same situation? I know there was this undergrad at UCL for Econ n Geo n he rejected LSE

I have the exact same dilemma. Received my LSE offer a while back and got my UCL offer this morning after going to the selection day on the 14th. I need some help on deciding which to choose however I think I am swaying towards LSE due to wanting to become a banker upon graduation which I feel is best achieved at LSE. LSE>UCL OR UCL > LSE ....Need advice please!

Congrats on the LSE offer! well i've applied for just the geography course so don't know much about the Geography with Economics course but the main advice i would give you is to check through the course outline and pick the one that appeals to you the most. Im in the same situation but with Bristol and UCL (given that i get an offer). Just research around both Uni's and see which one appeals to you more.

Congrats!! I no exactly how u feel lol, not that its a laughing matter, it's jst a relief to know your not the only one indecisive about ur uni choices. I think i'll make a thread to ask for more opinions. They're both really good unis that banks consider in their application. as long as u have a second first or first :P



lol i did that when i got my lse offer and now i'm even more confused actually. Problem is, I love both courses, there's no part where I think "i dn wanna do that", that's y I'm so torn. But thanks for the advice! I'm sure you'll get ur offer hope ur able to make a choice soon x

I got an offer from UCL this morning! : D : D : D so pleased, easily my favourite.

Thought'd it would be AAA but surprisingly it was AAB, specifying an A in Geography and a pass in my EPQ. Really happy! : D

I know this is really old, but what did you put in your application that's of note? I really want to apply but I doubt I'll be able to get AAA (as I realistically will only get a B in literature.) Anything I could do to improve my chances of that all important lower offer? Thanks

Hi Alan,

I know that my EPQ was certainly something that was valued in the application, and I think that might be what swayed it to an AAB, because I had to get an A in the EPQ. Of course, if you aren't doing an EPQ now then it is too late to start that, but I'm sure the application process will be different again now. Some Russell Group universities, UCL in particular have received a lot of negative press for the lack of state school students they take on, so one wonders if that will be part of the application process.

As for other things in the application, I think a good piece of advice is to not to put geography cliches in the personal statement e.g. I want to do geography because I like to travel/experience different culture. Just sounds like you are in it for the fieldtrips. Need to be something constructive - e.g. the relevance of the subject in real world issues, the possibilities of GIS, etc.

Also think about if you are interested in any of the broad areas the department is interested in. I'm not as sure about the human specialisations as I'm a physical geographer, but the key physical research done in the department is about Environmental Change (reconstructing from 1000s and millions of years ago, glacial and interglacial cycles), Wetlands and Fluvial (e.g. rivers, coasts), Ecology, and finally Climate modelling and Climate Change work. For human I know less, but I know historical geography is very strong, as is population migration - sorry if you are a human minded person.

Most of all, say something unique. A lot of people apply to UCL geog. Even better, I hope you go to private school. I came from a state comprehensive and only know 3-4 people that were not privately educated.

All the best.

Yeah I wish I did EPQ but alas it is too late to start. Should've taken the 'high achievers' tutors advice but no point in dwelling. I've gone to a few geography lectures, sports leadership award level two, and should hopefully get a good reference from my geography teacher. But not sure what else I can do without an EPQ. Would volunteering in a charity shop help at all or is this not relevant enough? Do you recon having an operation which took me out of college for a month could have actually benefited me? (provided I still get AAB.)

Luckily I am much more interested in Physical geography than Human, but still enjoy it to some degree, and I think it's an area I can talk about in my application as I've worked in retail for a year. As for physical aspect I tried to volunteer at a conservation area but apparently as I'm not 18 and I work on Saturday I couldn't help out- let down. Although hopefully I can manipulate hiking (as my hobby) to benefit me in that area.

Unfortunately, I also go to a state comprehensive. Looks like that could go both against and for me. Hopefully the latter Thank you so much for the answer though, it's really helped!

No worries about the EPQ, it really isn't an essential by any means. I think people undervalue the importance of the reference considerably. Contrary to what some might think, not every teacher does write a glowing and positive reference for every student - if they did that, what would be the point? I trust that you've worked hard and been positive, and if you get a good reference, that is a great starting point.

I wouldn't worry too much about volunteering and employment. When I applied, I had no (and still do not!) history of volunteering or employment. More important are the words on the personal statement - try and be truthful but creative. Mentioning interests is great. Put down that you have applied to volunteer - even though you couldn't do it, it shows initiative. Try and think about modern day problems we face and their relevance - geography is mostly a forward thinking subject, give or take historical geography!

With regards to the operation, again I was in a similar boat - I was ill during my first year of A levels and only managed 3 AS levels instead of the usual 4. Make sure it is mentioned on the reference, I think.

Glad you are a physical geographer - my first year has been dominated by a lot of people who like human geography, but physical people still exist. I still like human as well though, and there a modules that certainly combine the two for maximum geographical effect.

I was only having like saracast jibe about the school thing, don't worry. I think it's a positive being at a state comp. Majority of applications are from private, so it makes you stand out if you have good state grades!

My Geography teacher actually knows that I want to apply to UCL in particular so hopefully that could work in my favour.

I still wish I could've done an EPQ, I had the chance to do one in year 11 as well but I don't think I would've done anything to Geography so no worries.

I've started writing my statement early as I want to make it as beneficial as I can. I'm not sure whether I'm putting to much emphasis on the reasons behind me enjoying Geography and not enough on why it's a relevant course. I want to include the relevance of GIS (as I did a seminar/taster course in it) but I'm not sure how I can integrate it in.

Yeah I know, just hoping I'm not out competed! I'm the type of person that asks dumb questions (the type of ones people think but don't ask) so sometimes look a slow haha. Just hoping I make a good first impression.

Another thing, do they do formal interviews? As I keep hearing people talk about being invited to an 'open day' which is like an interview of some sort? I'm really confused. And sorry for the constant questions, I'll stop now haha

I wouldn't worry too much. The open day for me involved having an interview in a group with 3 other people, where we were given some things to discuss. It isn't meant to be a competition and such, just to see that you are perceptive and not brain dead.

As for PS, don't worry too much about showing how the course is relevant, while needs to be there, showing interest is more key in my view, but others might look at it the other way. GIS taster course is great to put in, just make sure you justify it - just dropping 'i went on a course' looks a little like filler.


No worries about the questions. Applying to university is extremely stressful, I'd never do it it again! I had so many questions too!

Heya, Im also looking to study Geography at UCL, for the interview what sort of topics do they ask you to discuss and how do you find out if your interview was successful. Thank you

There is no way of predicting the topics or anything, literally it could be anything. Dont worry, it isn't a test or intellectual knowledge or smarts (you've only just done your A levels!), and you are not competing against the other people. The interview is just one bit of the whole application process. It is just to show that you are basically logical and can think clearly.

I found out because I was made an offer on UCAS.

Hope that helps!

hey guys! im interested in applying for geography and economics and was wondering if you had any tips on personal statement..i'm applying for single honours in geog and econ as well as joints and was having trouble writing a personal statement without being too vague! any help would be very appreciated!!!