What is first year like?
Almost all geography courses give you a broad overview of the subject in first year. You will cover elements of human and physical geography that lead onto more in depth modules in years two and three. The sub-disciplines covered, whilst covering some of the fundamentals of the subject, will almost certainly contain topics that are the principle interests of your lecturers. Therefore it is important to choose a university course that is run by academic staff who have research interests that interest you. More on this here.
The first year course will also most likely contain a research methods element to show you how research is conducted. Some students can find these sessions a bit dry (although the statistics and reasoning behind it is fascinating), but once put into a geographical perspective, for example looking at deprivation across a city or the spatial patterning of amazon deforestation, and quickly the work does become interesting.
Finally some geography departments run courses which give student a feel for the history of the subject, it's origins and it's controversies. These courses are really fascinating and provide context to the work geographers do today. Believe it or not but geography's purpose and identity has changed significantly over history and getting an insight into the twists and turns the subject took and why they occurred is a really useful venture for first year students.
The first year course will also most likely contain a research methods element to show you how research is conducted. Some students can find these sessions a bit dry (although the statistics and reasoning behind it is fascinating), but once put into a geographical perspective, for example looking at deprivation across a city or the spatial patterning of amazon deforestation, and quickly the work does become interesting.
Finally some geography departments run courses which give student a feel for the history of the subject, it's origins and it's controversies. These courses are really fascinating and provide context to the work geographers do today. Believe it or not but geography's purpose and identity has changed significantly over history and getting an insight into the twists and turns the subject took and why they occurred is a really useful venture for first year students.
How does it compare to A-Level?
There is no denying that university level geography is a step up from geography courses at school or college. This should be expected, and is the same with any other subject studied at university. However within geography the degree to which this fact is true varies amongst the subject disciplines, as will now be explained.
Physical Geography
Some areas of physical geography get much more complicated than at A-Level. For example some climate, ocean and glaciology elements become far more scientific, with greater focus on chemistry and physics. This shouldn't be a cause for concern however as there are some excellent textbooks that explain the key concepts well, and many videos online are also useful.
Other areas of physical geography, for those who have studied biology, chemistry, geology or environmental sciences at A-Level may seen a lot more straightforward. For example in biogeography many of the ecological concepts that are fundamental to understanding species distribution are the same concepts that are explored in A-Level Biology. It is important to note however that just bringing your A-Level notes will not be enough to pass certain elements of a first year exam. Those who had already covered some of the basics may have a slight temporary advantage, but there are still many new ideas, concepts and theories that must be understood.
Human Geography
If physical geography seems different, human geography is in a different world. However it is also far, far more interesting than the rather mechanical school human geography courses. Studying what it is to be human across the globe encompasses politics, economics, history, literature, statistics, art and many other major disciplines. Of course there are no right answers, and some natural scientists may find the subjectivity of social sciences frustrating. But in the end everyone is allowed to take their own view, and developing your own ideas regarding migration, urbanisation, development, poverty is really interesting and satisfying. Human geographers work in many exciting yet bewildering areas, so an open mind is very important. School geography prepares you very little for cultural and historical geography, so just be positive, remember everyone is in the same boat, and enjoy some of the more conceptual and thoughtful ideas you will probably ever experience.
A lot of students worry about the strangeness of human geography. They need not. It only has to be studied for a year at most, then lots of other courses can be explored.
Physical Geography
Some areas of physical geography get much more complicated than at A-Level. For example some climate, ocean and glaciology elements become far more scientific, with greater focus on chemistry and physics. This shouldn't be a cause for concern however as there are some excellent textbooks that explain the key concepts well, and many videos online are also useful.
Other areas of physical geography, for those who have studied biology, chemistry, geology or environmental sciences at A-Level may seen a lot more straightforward. For example in biogeography many of the ecological concepts that are fundamental to understanding species distribution are the same concepts that are explored in A-Level Biology. It is important to note however that just bringing your A-Level notes will not be enough to pass certain elements of a first year exam. Those who had already covered some of the basics may have a slight temporary advantage, but there are still many new ideas, concepts and theories that must be understood.
Human Geography
If physical geography seems different, human geography is in a different world. However it is also far, far more interesting than the rather mechanical school human geography courses. Studying what it is to be human across the globe encompasses politics, economics, history, literature, statistics, art and many other major disciplines. Of course there are no right answers, and some natural scientists may find the subjectivity of social sciences frustrating. But in the end everyone is allowed to take their own view, and developing your own ideas regarding migration, urbanisation, development, poverty is really interesting and satisfying. Human geographers work in many exciting yet bewildering areas, so an open mind is very important. School geography prepares you very little for cultural and historical geography, so just be positive, remember everyone is in the same boat, and enjoy some of the more conceptual and thoughtful ideas you will probably ever experience.
A lot of students worry about the strangeness of human geography. They need not. It only has to be studied for a year at most, then lots of other courses can be explored.
How will I learn?
One important difference between University and School is the way you learn. At university whilst teaching is important, if you come expecting wall to wall contact time with academics who will sit with you until everything makes sense unfortunately you will be rather disappointed. At uni it is largely up to you. If you don't understand something it's up to you to help yourself.
Having said that courses do provide some contact hours and see the table below to understand what this means.
Having said that courses do provide some contact hours and see the table below to understand what this means.