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Program information
Human Geography covers a wide set of sub-disciplines that share in common the study of the human use and experience of the world. You’ll study such broad territory as the relations between nature and society, place and human identity, and the spatial basis of economies and societies.
What you'll learn
Human Geography covers a wide set of sub-disciplines that share in common the study of the human use and experience of the world. It covers such broad territory as the relations between nature and society, place and human identity, and the spatial basis of economies and societies. Human Geographers make contributions to the private and public sectors in such professional fields as education, physical and social planning, urban development, environmental and resource fields, industrial location, economic development, tourism, regional specialties, cartography, and Geographical Information Science (GIS).
You will explore four main study areas: Culture and places; cities and globalization; nature and society; and research and methods.
The Department of Geography is housed in the Geography Building, a hub for researching, teaching, learning, and community. The Geography Building includes multiple study spaces, an undergraduate lounge, and two state-of-the art geomatics computer labs, for you to work on Geography laboratory assignments and projects. The Department also houses the Geographic Information Centre (GIC), which is a library, reading room, and research space. Holdings include maps specializing in BC and Canada, atlases, books, and journals with geographical content, videos, course reserves, and BC’s largest aerial photo collection.
The Department of Geography also includes labs and research spaces in the Geography Building, around UBC, and beyond. The Geography building houses the Lab for Advanced Spatial Analytics, the Surfaces Processes Lab, and the Urban Studies Research Commons, to name a few. As an undergraduate student, you can experience these spaces through your Geography and Geographical Sciences coursework, or even through individual directed studies research projects with Geography faculty.
Program advantages
As a student in Geography, you will prepare for a career in policy, urban studies, government, academia, or the private sector. You’ll have the opportunity to study in UBC’s Geography Department, which is consistently ranked in the top 10 Geography departments worldwide, and to take newly redesigned courses developed by award-winning research and teaching faculty.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Geography: Human Geography. Here are a few you might like.
Energy and water in the Earth-Atmosphere system, global climates and climate change, ecosystem properties and processes, human impacts.
Introduction to the political geographic perspectives on today’s interdependent world through three themes: borders, regions, and flows.
Physical and biological characteristics of the circumpolar Arctic, emphasizing terrestrial environments and the impacts on and by humans, including: glacial history; climatology; biogeography/ecology of arctic tundra; human-environment interactions, settlement and exploration; and current environmental, social and economic problems.
Geographical analysis of society-environment relations. Relates resource management to environmental politics, political economy, and sustainable development. Perspectives drawn from political ecology and political economy, environmental history and environmental philosophy.
Outcomes
Human Geographers are everywhere – in government, policy groups, consultancies, academia, NGOs, and beyond. By exploring the intricacies of humanity’s place in a global context, Human Geography students frequently tackle complex, multifaceted questions that have unpredictable, long-term results. By engaging in coursework across a wide spectrum of geographic topics, graduates are prepared to engage with these interrelated concerns.
Program graduates
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“I enjoyed the idea of taking courses from various disciplines while working towards my degree requirements. That has given me unique access to knowledge, skills, and experiences that have been invaluable for my growth and development.”
Hammad J., Human GeographyRead Hammad's story
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Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Arts
- No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Second Languages
- Social Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit UBC in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current UBC students walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Arts website to learn more about Geography: Human Geography.
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