ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø

ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø cookie policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience, monitor site performance and tailor content to you

Read our cookie policy to find out how to manage your cookie settings

Life as an undergraduate

Along with attending lectures and seminars and learning through independent study, you'll spend considerable time gaining practical experience in our teaching laboratories and through research and training opportunities in the Department.

Our students have had the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the field and put their theoretical knowledge into practice in dedicated residential field classes. This gives you the chance to develop skills that you'll be able to use in your own project work and which will be valued by employers.

Friendly, supportive community

When you study with us, you will join a vibrant and welcoming department. We have a collaborative international community of students, staff, and alumni. You will be supported by approachable academic staff, who take the time to get to know you and enable you to make the most of your experience of studying with us. 

100% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, responders from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science).

We hold an silver award, which recognises our focus on gender equality. Athena SWAN promotes representation, progression and success for all. It focuses specifically on the advancement of women's careers across higher education in all academic fields. The charter also promotes and recognises work that supports transgender staff and students.

GeogSoc is our active student society that organises social and academic events throughout the year, including extra-curricular trips, formal and informal get-togethers. You will also have a student mentor to help you make the transition to university.

Modern, specialist facilities

The Department is based in a custom-designed building with specialised research facilities. These include laboratories and dedicated instrumentation.

You'll have access to superb controlled environment facilities, including a large area of experimental polytunnels and glasshouses. There are also extensive opportunities for field work at the University's experimental farms.

Find out more about our facilities

Award-winning campus

The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is ranked 1st in the UK for environmental and ethical performance (People and Planet University League 2023/24). You will study on our parkland campus at Whiteknights, which has been voted among the best and most popular green spaces in the UK for 14 consecutive years in the Green Flag awards. We treat our campus as a laboratory; both staff and students make the most of their immediate surroundings for field work.

Student using a laptop outdoors

Our main campus is set on 130 hectares of beautiful parkland, so you'll find plenty of places to relax. Our campus is home to a thriving community and features the Students' Union, Library and places to eat.

Step off campus and you'll find yourself in a bustling town centre offering a variety of shops, restaurants and activities. We're also well-connected – you can reach London Paddington within half an hour by train. 

Read Jack's story

The University supported me from day one with regards to my charity work and volunteering; from providing ways for me to integrate my work into my studies to being flexible when I had to attend events at short notice.

Jack Abrey

BSc Geography (Human and Physical) graduate

Read more student stories