Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Geology VS Geography?

Hi everyone, I have to choose soon which course I want to do at uni....problem is, I really can't decide whether I should do Geology or Geography. I was just wondering what you thought the pro's and con's were of either subject and why you want to do that course at uni? Thanks guys :smile:

Reply 1

Zottula

Well they are very different. If you are a more scientific person, then geology will suit you more as it involves aspects of chemistry, physics, maths and biology. Geography is not as scientific and has a human side to it as well as a physical side. You'll see more rocks in geology too :wink:

(something that I know will bore a lot of people!)

I'm studying geology because I like something with a scientific basis and a good practical side to it as well. I'm very interested in the Earth, it's structure and all of the processes acting on it. I have to admit, I'm rather fond of rocks and minerals too.

If you want to look at rocks and like something very scientific, pick geology. If you are a less scientific person, and have an interest in surface processes and the interacts with people then geography may suit you more.

Geology leads more into certain jobs (and is also closely related to engineering), although like most degrees it can also be used to get onto a lot of graduate schemes that accept any degree.

As I don't study geography, I don't know exactly what it is like, but I'm someone else can. If you can't make your mind up, you could always go for a dual honours course. It's a common dual honours combination and I'm sure you will find loads of universities offering it.

Reply 2

Woody17

Thanks

In all honesty, what interests me depends on my mood on the day haha. Which at the moment isn't very good when trying to choose. But I appreciate your comment, I do see myself as more scientific, so maybe Geology is for me :biggrin:

Reply 3

Woody17

Ohh by the way, how good do you have to be at maths to study geology? Cheers

Reply 4

Zottula

Original post by Woody17

Ohh by the way, how good do you have to be at maths to study geology? Cheers

Depends on which department you go for. Some place more emphasis on maths than others (e.g. Oxford and Imperial put a lot of emphasis on maths). Some places there is not very much maths at all. Obviously the maths content won't be as high as a geophysics course. You don't need to be amazing at maths, but you need to be ok. Most departments will not ask for an A level at Maths, but may ask for a particular grade at GCSE. If you meet the requirements, you'll probably cope.

Reply 5

bownessie

Look, my advice would be if you aren't sure how 'sciency' you want to go- go for geography. Within a lot of geography departments you can specialise in earth science/physical geography once you've got there (either in your first or second year) and if you find the more 'sciency' stuff is for you you can go that direction. If you find you are more general or more of a social scientist then human geography or combined geography would be more for you. So... I'd say go for geography because it means you can sort of figure out what you like at uni, but equally you probably wouldn't get as technical as a geology degree and if it is the really, really sciency stuff you want then geology would be better.

Reply 6

bownessie

Also just another note.... From what I've been told and experience, a lot of people prefer physical geography at A-level and then when they get to uni find they really like/prefer human! So that is just something to note as well... I do human geography as a minor now and am going to probably major in it next year so admittedly I am a bit biased :P

Reply 7

Woody17

Thank you for the good advice, I'll take it all into consideration when making my decision :smile:

Reply 8

EntirelyOblivious

You also have to take into consideration job prospects. I personally chose geology over geography because it's far more employable, particularly if you fancy moving to Australia :wink:

I also found geology in my first 2 years to be what I'd imagined geography to be when I applied to university!

Reply 9

123Runner_Bean

Hold on a moment, I was in your exact position 2 years ago. You need to look into a combined course. I study Geology & Physical Geography which is the best of both worlds, then in years 2 and 3 you can pick modules more geared towards Geology or Geog! I love it as it means I get to choose modules to do with Climate and Geomorph which is fab, but I can also choose Geol subjects like Basins or Tectonics without doing the harder modules that Straight Geology courses require such as Minerals and earth magmatism or god forbid Geophysical techniques! Hope this helps :smile:

Reply 10

Woody17

I honestly wish I could, but I'm intent on going to Birmingham and the courses ive applied for there are Geology and Geography separately, regret it a bit now as its to late to change. However, I've chose now to do Geology :biggrin:

Thank you for the advice though :smile:

Reply 11

Nightufury

Do geography wayyyy better than studying rocks and how they have evolved over the years.... :rolleyes:

Reply 12

Woody17

After completing my January exams I've had more time to concentrate on Geology. I've really enjoyed it, so I'm starting to think that straight geology might be the best thing for me to do :smile:

Reply 13

cl_steele

each subject has its own merits and generally speaking leads into different fields it really depends what youre interested in for instance geology is far more science related whilst i always found geography to be more humanities.
geology can lead you to some very very profitable jobs such as working in the oil industry aswell ? :smile:

Reply 14

imtiazmeo

now i am confuse geology and geography i am from Pakistan any one from you guys there

Reply 15

imtiazmeo

its 8 years ago any of you guys there

Reply 16

sambread

Original post by Woody17

i would say geology for career options
i think geology is harder
i do geography at uob and i enjoy the course and it is interesting but would say geology could get you jobs in oil fields ect
though i think geology can be very boring