Undergraduate

Geographical Sciences

Geographical Sciences is the study of the Earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments – Geographers use spatial information to solve the World’s big challenges.
3
Years Full Time
75
ATAR

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Studying a major in Geographical Science can lead to careers in the following areas:

  • Environmental Management
  • Landscape Management
  • Marine and Coastal Science and Management
  • Catchment and Water Science and Management

Industries hiring Marine and Coastal Processes graduates include:

  • Environmental regulation and consulting
  • Mining
  • Agriculture
  • Property and land development
  • Health
  • International development, NGOs and not-for-profits

Studying a major in Geographical Science can lead to careers in the following areas:

  • Environmental Management
  • Landscape Management
  • Marine and Coastal Science and Management
  • Catchment and Water Science and Management

Industries hiring Marine and Coastal Processes graduates include:

  • Environmental regulation and consulting
  • Mining
  • Agriculture
  • Property and land development
  • Health
  • International development, NGOs and not-for-profits

Further Study

An Honours in Geographical Sciences provides you with the skills and knowledge to engage in the advanced analysis of spatial patterns and processes in natural and built environments. It provides you with training in conceptual methodological approaches to geographical inquiry and develops an appreciation of the links between theory and practice in geography. You will also engage in an independent research project on a topic of geographical significance.

Students are eligible for advanced entry into four specialisations of the UWA Master of Environmental Science degree. This allows students to complete a coursework, or coursework and thesis Masters in: Catchments and Water; Environmental Management; Marine and Coastal Management or Sensing and Spatial Data Science specialisations across 18 months or 3 semesters of study. Entry to the Environmental Rehabilitation or Environmental Economics specialisations is possible with conversion (an extra semester of study).

An Honours in Geographical Sciences provides you with the skills and knowledge to engage in the advanced analysis of spatial patterns and processes in natural and built environments. It provides you with training in conceptual methodological approaches to geographical inquiry and develops an appreciation of the links between theory and practice in geography. You will also engage in an independent research project on a topic of geographical significance.

Students are eligible for advanced entry into four specialisations of the UWA Master of Environmental Science degree. This allows students to complete a coursework, or coursework and thesis Masters in: Catchments and Water; Environmental Management; Marine and Coastal Management or Sensing and Spatial Data Science specialisations across 18 months or 3 semesters of study. Entry to the Environmental Rehabilitation or Environmental Economics specialisations is possible with conversion (an extra semester of study).

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$43,900.00
2025
$46,300.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Course details

Graduates will develop an understanding of environmental processes including atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial and anthropogenic interactions. Graduates of this major work in positions that require an understanding of, and the science behind complex human-environment interactions. You will use this understanding and spatial information to solve the World’s big challenges.

About the course

Geographical Sciences equips graduates with skills to understand and provide solutions to complex human-environment interactions that drive environmental change.
Geographical Sciences

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 18-24 hours contact time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-GGRPY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BSc) 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Geographical Sciences
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 18-24 hours contact time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-GGRPY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BSc) 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

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Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

You'll learn to

  • Apply geographical concepts to understand change in human and physical environments
  • Explain the geographical causes and consequences of major environmental and social issues, including climate change, resource scarcity, urbanisation and sustainability
  • Apply methods for the investigation and interpretation of spatial processes and patterns in physical and human environments
  • Communicate geographical perspectives and knowledge effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means
  • Develop the knowledge and skills required for employment in careers related to geography

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Why study this course?

  • Learn skills in a range of research techniques, including fieldwork, survey design, statistical analysis and spatial data analysis
  • Study in one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots
  • Gain hands-on experience in field research, group work and leadership
GEOGRAPHY

Hear about our major

Two geographers working in the snow fields.