Geography and Economics (Regional Science) with Professional Experience
The relationship between geography and economics shapes how we understand places, regions, and the uneven distribution of opportunity and resources across the world. Regional science sits at the intersection of these disciplines, bringing together spatial analysis, economic theory, and social inquiry to ask why some places thrive while others stagnate, and what policies and processes might shift those outcomes. It is an intellectually rich field that draws on quantitative methods, fieldwork, and theoretical frameworks to examine issues from urban development and labour markets to trade, migration, and environmental change.
At the University of Reading, this four-year programme combines Geography and Economics with a structured professional experience component, meaning you will spend time working in a relevant organisation as part of your degree. This embedded professional experience sets the programme apart, giving you exposure to real-world decision-making in fields such as planning, consultancy, government, or research while still engaged in full-time academic study. You will develop skills in economic modelling, geographical information systems, statistical analysis, and critical writing, and you will learn to move between the big-picture questions of regional development and the granular evidence that underpins good policy.
The programme carries a typical entry tariff of 120 points and runs across four years at full time. Graduates are well equipped for careers in economic development, urban and regional planning, policy analysis, environmental consultancy, and the public sector. The combination of spatial thinking, quantitative skills, and professional experience is valued highly by employers in government, research institutes, international organisations, and the private sector.
Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in economics, planning, public policy, or development, which can open doors to more senior analytical and leadership roles.