The Student Room Group

Geography Super curriculars

Hello!
I'm applying for Geography at University next year and am wondering what are the best super curricular things for geography?
I've already done some MOOCs and read a book, but is there anything that could strengthen my personal statement better?
Thank you!
Original post by nnads
Hello!
I'm applying for Geography at University next year and am wondering what are the best super curricular things for geography?
I've already done some MOOCs and read a book, but is there anything that could strengthen my personal statement better?
Thank you!

Hello there!
Coventry University student ambassador here!

To strengthen a geography university application, engaging in super-curricular activities that demonstrate your passion, knowledge, and commitment to the subject is essential. Here are some of the best super-curricular activities for geography:

Fieldwork and Trips

1.

Geographical Field Trips:
Participate in school-organized field trips or join geography-focused excursions. These could be local trips or international travel experiences that explore geographical phenomena.

2.

Independent Fieldwork:
Conduct your own fieldwork projects. This could involve local studies on topics like urban geography, environmental impact, or coastal erosion. Document your findings and analyze the data.

Competitions and Challenges

1.

Geography Competitions:
Take part in geography competitions such as the Royal Geographical Society's Young Geographer of the Year, the Geographical Association's WorldWise Quiz, or other local and national geography contests.

2.

Model United Nations (MUN):
Engage in MUN conferences, focusing on committees that deal with geographical issues such as climate change, urban development, and natural disasters.

Research and Reading

1.

Extended Projects:
Undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) on a geography-related topic. This allows you to delve deeply into a specific area of interest and develop research skills.

2.

Academic Journals and Books:
Read geography journals such as "Geography," "The Geographical Journal," and "National Geographic." Also, explore books by prominent geographers and environmental scientists.

Online Courses and Lectures

1.

MOOCs:
Enroll in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) related to geography on platforms like Coursera, edX, or FutureLearn. Courses could cover topics such as GIS, climate change, and urban planning. (which you have already done, however, you could find others, based on the suggested topics)

2.

Webinars and Lectures:
Attend webinars and lectures offered by universities and geographical societies. These can provide insights into current geographical research and issues.

Clubs and Societies

1.

Geography Club:
Join or establish a geography club at your school. Organize discussions, presentations, and projects related to geographical topics.

2.

Environmental Groups:
Participate in or volunteer with environmental organizations. Involvement in conservation projects, climate action initiatives, and sustainability efforts can highlight your commitment to geography.

Practical Experience

1.

Work Experience:
Seek work experience or internships with organizations that focus on geography-related fields, such as environmental consultancies, urban planning departments, or geographical information systems (GIS) firms.

2.

Volunteering:
Volunteer for community projects that have a geographical aspect, such as local conservation efforts, urban planning committees, or disaster relief organizations.

Personal Projects

1.

Geography Blog or Vlog:
Start a blog or YouTube channel where you discuss geographical issues, share insights from your studies, and document your fieldwork experiences.

2.

Mapping Projects:
Create maps using tools like ArcGIS or Google Earth. Projects could include mapping local areas, documenting changes over time, or analyzing spatial data.

Engaging in a variety of super-curricular activities demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to geography. These activities can also help you develop important skills such as research, analysis, communication, and critical thinking, which are valuable for a geography degree. Be sure to reflect on these experiences in your personal statement, explaining how they have prepared you for studying geography at the university level.
Hopefully you can take something useful from this, to strengthen your personal statement and overall better your chances of getting into the university of your choice!

Kind Regards,
Bianca (BSc Aviation Management)
(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 2

Original post by Coventry University Student Ambassadors
Hello there!
Coventry University student ambassador here!
To strengthen a geography university application, engaging in super-curricular activities that demonstrate your passion, knowledge, and commitment to the subject is essential. Here are some of the best super-curricular activities for geography:
Fieldwork and Trips

1.

Geographical Field Trips:
Participate in school-organized field trips or join geography-focused excursions. These could be local trips or international travel experiences that explore geographical phenomena.

2.

Independent Fieldwork:
Conduct your own fieldwork projects. This could involve local studies on topics like urban geography, environmental impact, or coastal erosion. Document your findings and analyze the data.

Competitions and Challenges

1.

Geography Competitions:
Take part in geography competitions such as the Royal Geographical Society's Young Geographer of the Year, the Geographical Association's WorldWise Quiz, or other local and national geography contests.

2.

Model United Nations (MUN):
Engage in MUN conferences, focusing on committees that deal with geographical issues such as climate change, urban development, and natural disasters.

Research and Reading

1.

Extended Projects:
Undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) on a geography-related topic. This allows you to delve deeply into a specific area of interest and develop research skills.

2.

Academic Journals and Books:
Read geography journals such as "Geography," "The Geographical Journal," and "National Geographic." Also, explore books by prominent geographers and environmental scientists.

Online Courses and Lectures

1.

MOOCs:
Enroll in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) related to geography on platforms like Coursera, edX, or FutureLearn. Courses could cover topics such as GIS, climate change, and urban planning. (which you have already done, however, you could find others, based on the suggested topics)

2.

Webinars and Lectures:
Attend webinars and lectures offered by universities and geographical societies. These can provide insights into current geographical research and issues.

Clubs and Societies

1.

Geography Club:
Join or establish a geography club at your school. Organize discussions, presentations, and projects related to geographical topics.

2.

Environmental Groups:
Participate in or volunteer with environmental organizations. Involvement in conservation projects, climate action initiatives, and sustainability efforts can highlight your commitment to geography.

Practical Experience

1.

Work Experience:
Seek work experience or internships with organizations that focus on geography-related fields, such as environmental consultancies, urban planning departments, or geographical information systems (GIS) firms.

2.

Volunteering:
Volunteer for community projects that have a geographical aspect, such as local conservation efforts, urban planning committees, or disaster relief organizations.

Personal Projects

1.

Geography Blog or Vlog:
Start a blog or YouTube channel where you discuss geographical issues, share insights from your studies, and document your fieldwork experiences.

2.

Mapping Projects:
Create maps using tools like ArcGIS or Google Earth. Projects could include mapping local areas, documenting changes over time, or analyzing spatial data.

Engaging in a variety of super-curricular activities demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to geography. These activities can also help you develop important skills such as research, analysis, communication, and critical thinking, which are valuable for a geography degree. Be sure to reflect on these experiences in your personal statement, explaining how they have prepared you for studying geography at the university level.
Hopefully you can take something useful from this, to strengthen your personal statement and overall better your chances of getting into the university of your choice!
Kind Regards,
Bianca (BSc Aviation Management)


Thank you so much for this!! It’s really helpful

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