Why Bachelor of Arts?
Can our planet cope with an ever-expanding population? What should future cities look like? How will climate change impact ecosystems and humanity?
As a society, we face major challenges. How can we work together to meet these – and in a way that emphasises social justice, ecology and cultural sustainability? This is what geography is all about.
You’ll build technical skills. Enhance your cultural awareness. Separate fact from fiction in environmental debates. Get hands-on experience and learn to make a real difference.
Your geography knowledge, coupled with analytical and problem-solving skills, will open doors to research opportunities and versatile careers in government, planning, policy, project management, consulting and more.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Arts is designed to help you think critically, succeed in your career and adapt to a changing future.
Our Geography major covers human and physical geography, focusing on themes of space and place. Prepare to roll up your sleeves and tackle the pressing challenges of our world.
Get hands-on with the latest tools in geographical analysis – including GIS technology. Learn how to gather, assess and present complex data. Get to the heart of geographical investigation with immersive field trips and real-world case studies. You'll learn first-hand how to piece together environmental puzzles and come up with smart, practical solutions.
You’ll confront big questions. How does globalisation affect cultural dynamics? Can human desires and resources be balanced sustainably? In what ways does migration influence urban development?
You’ll gain analytical, problem-solving and technical skills for dynamic careers in government, commercial and NGO sectors, ready to make a real, sustainable difference.
Key features
Investigate global issues like climate change and urban development through a geographical lens.- Experience hands-on learning with immersive field trips and real-world case studies.
- Gain advanced GIS and spatial analysis skills.
- Build your professional networks as you work alongside active geography researchers.
- Pinpoint your future career by exploring your options in the field.
- Apply your learning to real-world problems through an industry internship.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Arts is flexible, meaning you can choose courses to match your passions and career goals. It’s designed to advance creative thinking and adaptability. You’ll build a deep understanding of human rights and values, preparing you for global citizenship in an interconnected world.
Clarify your career path through targeted research in your field of interest. Build invaluable professional networks and learn from industry mentors. Secure an internship aligned with your interests – and use this real-world experience to shape your dream career.
In the Geography major, you’ll develop knowledge and technical skills in courses like:
- Globalisation, justice and a crowded planet
- Sustainability and society
- Resource scarcity and allocation
- Migration and development
- Global population and health
- Introductory geographic information systems
- Advanced geographic information systems.
Study environmental processes and human-environment interactions, confronting local and global challenges like climate change, global migration, and urban and rural development. Master GIS tools through hands-on field data collection, network analysis and advanced spatial data manipulation. Learn from active researchers with expertise in spatial analysis, demography and migration, sustainable development, climate change, resource management, health studies, and urban and rural planning and policy. By integrating physical and social sciences, you'll learn to understand and propose sustainable solutions to real-world problems.
Our Bachelor of Arts also allows you to explore other interests by taking another major in a different area. Pursue interdisciplinary studies to complement your unique Geography journey.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Anthropology
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Environmental Management
- French Studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- German Studies
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Globalisation, Justice and a Crowded Planet
|
Course code
SOCI1301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Sustainability and Society
|
Course code
SOCI1302
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introductory Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
|
Course code
SOCI2301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Resource Scarcity and Allocation
|
Course code
SOCI2302
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
|
Course code
SOCI3303
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
English Literature
|
Course code
ENGLBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
French Studies
|
Course code
FRENBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
German Studies
|
Course code
GERMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese Studies
|
Course code
JAPNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy
|
Course code
PHILBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Career outcomes
A geography major at Adelaide University unlocks versatile careers where you can have a real impact. You might help touring musicians reduce their carbon footprints as a sustainability consultant. You could be a field researcher for National Geographic, journeying to the most remote and breathtaking corners of the planet. Perhaps you’ll design immersive VR experiences that teach people about global geography.
Or you could be a:
- Disaster management specialist
- Urban planner
- Demographer
- Environmental analyst
- Community development officer
- Cultural resource manager
- Film or TV location scout
- Policy analyst
- Natural resource manager
- Transportation planner
- Wildlife corridor designer
- Tourism development officer
- Real estate analyst.
Industry trends
Our world is facing serious environmental, social and economic challenges, from food security and biodiversity loss to population pressures and climate change. These issues are driving demand for experts in geography who can analyse and address these complex problems. As industries and governments seek sustainable solutions, the role of geographers is increasingly vital. There is a growing need for professionals who can integrate GIS, remote sensing and data analytics to inform policy-making and strategic planning. Because of this, career prospects for geography majors are expanding, with more and more opportunities in urban planning, environmental management, disaster response and global development (United Nations, 2024).
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
