A degree in Geographical Sciences provides graduates with skills applicable to a broad range of careers. Many move into a variety of fields where their combination of analytical, teamworking, numerical and communication skills are highly valued.

Data obtained from

• Single honours Geography courses (BSc and MSci), including those with study abroad
• Geography with Quantitative Research Methods (BSc and MSci)
• Graduates from the UK

Responses were received from 81 UK graduates from 2019/20; this is a response rate of 62.3%

Destinations

Most important activity	Percentage of graduates
Paid work for an employer	64.2%
Self-employment/freelancing	4.9%
Running my own business	0%
Developing a creative, artistic or professional portfolio	1.2%
Voluntary/unpaid work for an employer	1.2%
Engaged in a course of study, training or research	21%
Taking time out to travel	1.2%
Caring for someone	0%
Retired	0%
Unemployed and looking for work	3.7%
Doing something else	2.5%

Sector information

Examples of regular recruitment sectors include IT and management consultancy, law, investment banking, accountancy, marketing, publishing and the armed forces. Geographical skills can be particularly relevant in areas such as the Civil Service and local government, tourism, market research, conservation, logistics and teaching.

Employment sector	Number of graduates
Accounting, bookkeeping and auditing activities; tax consultancy	5
Construction of other civil engineering projects n.e.c.	3
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.	3
Regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, (not social security)	2
Other sectors (33 sectors)	36

Around 70% of all graduate vacancies ask for no specific degree subject and, over the years, Bristol Geographical Sciences graduates have entered a whole spectrum of careers from diplomacy and community work to sports broadcasting and journalism.

Employers and occupations

Examples of employers

• Amazon
• Jacobs Engineering
• KPMG LLP
• Freeths Solicitors
• Vodafone Ltd

Examples of occupations

• Analyst
• Business Development Manager
• Data Analyst
• Graduate Surveyor
• Senior Research Assistant

Further study

Qualification type	Percentage of graduates
Higher degree, mainly by research (e.g. PhD, DPhil, MPhil, MRes)	9.1%
Higher degree, mainly by taught course (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA)	72.7%
Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE)	9.1%
Professional qualification	9.1%
Undergraduate degree (including integrated master’s degrees) (e.g. BA, BSc, MBChB, MEng)	0%
Other undergraduate diploma or certificate not specified above	0%
Other qualification	0%
Not aiming for a formal qualification	0%