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• Geography Personal Statement Examples

Use these Geography personal statement examples as an inspiration to write your own for the UCAS application . Below you can find real 4 personal statements for the geography course.

My deep belief in the significance of geography in today’s world drives my desire to pursue a degree in the field. Many global issues, including population growth, sustainability, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and natural disasters can be understood through a geographical lens. Furthermore, many natural disasters occur as a result of disregarding the advice of geographers, for example, constructing homes on floodplains, altering water courses, or building nuclear power plants in earthquake-prone areas. The importance of geographical knowledge and understanding for our future well-being cannot be overstated, and the subject appeals to me both for its intrinsic interest and its relevance to our daily lives.

My specific interests include geographical economics, globalisation, and the impact of technology on shrinking the world and creating multicultural societies. Additionally, geographical knowledge allows us to recognise the disparities in the human world, which may become more pronounced as resources become scarcer. With the planet being a finite resource and technology not able to solve all our problems, it is crucial for us to consider the sustainability of western consumption and the effects of climate change, as well as the aftermath of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. However, there is no subject more exhilarating than the dynamism of the Earth.

Academically, I am strong and have held various positions of responsibility at school. As a high achiever in the Geography Department, I led a field trip for younger pupils last year.  I have coached the year 8 hockey competition at my school and served as captain of the hockey team.  I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of construction during my work experience at a company in London. I conducted building surveys, visited job sites, and learned about the company’s computer system, giving me a glimpse of what it’s like to work in the industry. Additionally, I attended meetings with professionals and visited other companies, further expanding my understanding of the field. Prior to this, I had a placement at a retail store where I worked in a team and received customer service training. These experiences provided me with valuable insights into the job market and taught me the skills necessary to be employable. The transferable nature of many of the skills involved in geography is what drew me to the field, as it opens doors to various possible careers.

In my free time, I am an avid sports enthusiast, with a particular interest in football and hockey, and I am always committed to staying physically fit. Fishing is another hobby that I enjoy as a means of relaxation. I also love to travel and experience different cultures, having had the opportunity to visit Japan on a school trip and various parts of America, including school skiing trips. I am a beginner piano player and I am currently in grade 2. Additionally, I always strive to stay current in my field of study by following the latest developments and trends.

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• Personal Statement Examples

Personal Statement Example for Geography

I have always been fascinated by the subject of Geography and it has been the school subject that has inspired me the most and in which I have achieved the highest grades. The subject holds great intellectual interest for me, but it also seems to be of great importance and relevance in today’s world. Sustainability is an issue that I believe is of the utmost importance and I would like to pursue a degree course that will deepen my understanding of current problems and potentially enable me to contribute to their solutions. I am interested in all aspects of Geography and am considering a career as a teacher of the subject after completing my degree. I believe that geographical and environmental knowledge is essential for any 21st-century individual, as our survival depends on it. I hope to use my training to guide others towards a responsible attitude towards the world we inhabit.

I am aware of the ways in which the environment is changing and the significance of natural disasters, as well as the human implications of poverty and the gap between MDCs and LDCs. I hope that a degree course would delve into the questions of sustainable development, environmental protection, the geopolitics of water usage, carbon management, the development of alternative fuels, recycling, climate change, and the relationship between trade, business and sustainability. The subject also delves into the field of ethics and politics. I also hope to explore how ecosystems function and how technology can be used for conservation rather than being viewed as an enemy. All of these issues are of great importance to me and have inspired me to apply for a degree in Geography.

I am passionate about geography and have had the privilege to travel extensively in Europe and America, which has given me a glimpse of the world’s geographical diversity and how it affects human habitation. I have participated in conferences on tectonic plates and urban geography, as well as in many Geography professional events at the Royal Geographical Society in London. Through my work experience, I have come to believe that teaching is a career path that I would enjoy. I have held leadership roles in my school, which have helped me develop both academically and personally. I am determined, and dedicated, and have a strong academic record. As the first in my family to consider a university course, I am hardworking, organised, and socially responsible.

In 2008, I had the opportunity to go on a trip to Iceland where I saw firsthand the effects of pollution on glaciers, and was able to visit many sites that were fascinating to a true geographer. It was an extraordinary experience to visit a terrain that was so different from what I was used to. I have also been fortunate to follow geographical topics whenever I can. I read newspaper articles on all geographical subjects eagerly, and I attended a conference on the workings of tectonic plates, and another on “Understanding Cities.”

My working experience has led me to believe that I would enjoy a teaching career. I worked briefly at a primary school in Wandsworth, carrying out a number of supervisory tasks such as guiding and organizing children’s play and work, taking part in sports day and helping with school assemblies. The job calls for patience, good time management, and the confidence to make decisions. At my own school, I hold a number of positions of responsibility, all of which have helped me to mature both as a student and as a human being. I enjoy reading and I am a runner and have raised money for charity in several races.

Human Geography Personal Statement Example

Choosing to pursue a degree in Geography was an easy decision for me, as it combines my interests in current affairs and the social sciences. I am captivated by the dynamic and ever-changing nature of geography and its ability to bring together social, environmental, and economic disciplines. My particular interest lies in social and political geographies, but I understand the importance of understanding both physical and human worlds in order to fully grasp the subject.

I have always enjoyed engaging in debates, and my involvement in debating societies since high school has helped me develop an understanding of different perspectives. One notable experience was creating a video with my peers in support of nuclear power as a sustainable energy source in relation to climate change. The video was entered into a national competition and I was fortunate enough to attend the Nuclear New Build 2016 conference in London, where my group was awarded the third prize. This experience gave me valuable insight into the cutting-edge research being done in the field of nuclear power and its importance in gaining energy security in the UK.

Fieldwork is another aspect of geography that I find particularly intriguing. I have conducted studies on the River Chew, specifically looking at how it changes downstream and the human influences on its pH levels. My study revealed that more agricultural and industrial areas resulted in a more acidic river, reinforcing my hypothesis. Additionally, my studies in economics, specifically poverty, human development, and globalization, have sparked my interest in social issues.

I have also had the opportunity to learn about other cultures through various experiences. In 2013, I spent a week on an exchange in Germany, where I worked in a local primary school, which helped me become more independent, observant, and responsible. I am also planning to trek around Greece and Albania to achieve my Explorer Belt, a prestigious award in scouting which requires careful planning, teamwork, and perseverance.

I am actively involved in the scouting movement and have taken on various leadership roles. I am a fully qualified Young scout and have gained my first Chief Scouts Award. Through this, I have participated in many activities such as classes in Astronomy, international trips, and planning and completing a two-day expedition. I strongly believe that these experiences and responsibilities have shaped me as a person and have given me the leadership qualities and determination to achieve my goals in my chosen field of study.

Personal Statement for Geography Course

Geography is a subject that has always deeply interested me, as it relates to almost everything in everyday life. Growing up in Southampton, close to the coast, I have had many opportunities to study and explore landmarks such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks. I have also been on field trips to Studland, and South Wales to study various geographical concepts such as succession in a psammosere, urban land uses, rivers, soils, deindustrialization, and urban land uses.

I have been passionate about music since a young age and have been playing the drums for over eight years. In 2001, I achieved a grade 8 standard and grade 5 music theory. In 1998, I joined the Youth Wind Orchestra (DYWO) and had the opportunity to play in the millennium concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2000. Through DYWO, I have met many other young musicians and teachers from all over Southampton and have learned new percussion instruments such as timpani, vibraphone, and congas. I am also involved in various bands and ensembles in my school and have played at parties and functions with my own rock band.

I went on a two-week work experience with “The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals” in Blandford, where I played the percussion and had the opportunity to participate in Prince Philip’s 70th birthday celebrations at Cardiff castle. Although I have chosen not to pursue music as a career, I have gained valuable experiences and financial gain through playing in shows and teaching regularly.

I have also worked in a small village shop for a year and in the cafeteria at Monkey World, a local zoo for primates. During the summer, I was also chosen to supervise a newly built play area at Monkey World, which was a challenging but rewarding experience.

I have had the opportunity to travel to various countries such as Spain, Argentina, Poland, and Italy on family holidays. During my gap year, I plan to work to save up for more travel experiences prior to starting university.

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Successful Personal Statement For Geography At Oxford

Last Updated: 29th February 2024

Author: Rob Needleman

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Geography applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Geography Course at Oxford provides a holistic view of the workings of physical and human environments, the ways in which humans are transforming the world and the implications for human societies.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to navigate the many disciplines and topics of Geography. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Geography comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

Your tutor will give you actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

Geography Personal Statement

Geography is outward-looking, dynamic and topical. It allows me to gain insight into daily news stories on immigration and Middle Eastern conflicts for example, by highlighting their complexity and the challenge to find and evaluate solutions to these problems for the future. The diversity and vital relevance of Geography makes it an immensely valuable subject to study in-depth and I would relish the opportunity to pursue further study in the field.

The area that is of particular interest to me is development geography and specifically global aid. I was introduced to the use of aid in closing the wealth divide in my A2 case studies, where bottom-up aid on a local scale was consistently depicted as a sustainable solution. I was forced to question these views, however, after reading ‘Dead Aid’ by Dambisa Moyo. Her critical comments on charity-based aid particularly caught my attention as they offered a stark contrast in perspective on my case studies. I found it interesting that the factors which contributed to the success of many of the case studies, including small-scale, intermediate technology and low cost solutions were the very aspects of aid that Moyo calls ‘band-aid’ solutions implying unsustainability. The book also touched on the controversial issue of whether aid remains a successful or even acceptable solution when the $50 billion of aid given to Africa annually is arguably not producing significant economic development or improvement. To investigate this further I read ‘The End Of Poverty’ by Jeffrey Sachs which explained how well managed aid can indeed offer an answer to closing the wealth divide. This led to my research into the Millenium Villages of Ghana. Here aid, coupled with local leadership, appears to have delivered a long-term solution to serious economic and social problems. This divergence in opinion over a controversial issue has excited me about exploring these issues in more detail.

To investigate these issues further, I have been prompted to take a gap year to experience the workings of an international NGO. I will be joining the work of education promoting ‘Empower A Child’ in Uganda for 3 months. I hope to gain a rewarding insight into the practical relevance of Geography in the field of non-profit aid and specifically to test Sach’s belief that investment into education is a viable solution to ending poverty.

My other subjects complement my understanding of economic, physical and scientific elements of development and Geography in general. Reading ‘Driven to Extinction’ by Richard Pearson highlighted how Biology and Geography are inextricably linked in our study of the physical world, particularly with regards to the role regulatory systems have in levels of biodiversity. Chemistry and Physics have been relevant in equipping me with the skills to devise data collection programmes and to analyse the results; skills which were necessary to my fieldwork visit to Dartmoor. 

My academic background is complemented by my extra-curricular activities. I was the Organ Scholar and Choir Prefect at my school. My responsibilities included conducting and directing the Chapel Choir on a weekly basis. I was also a fully committed and dedicated member of other choirs and ensembles.  I relished the challenge of arranging and conducting in the House Singing competition which required me to inspire and motivate team work within the house. I have gained 3 Grade 8’s in Organ, Piano and Flute and am currently working towards my Piano Diploma. I was involved in leading the school’s Christian Union through which I have catalysed fundraising for organisations such as Mary’s Meals. In my gap year I am working as Organist and Choir director at St Luke’s Church Grayshott before going to Uganda. These activities demonstrate leadership skills, commitment and an enthusiastic approach to challenges, all of which will equip me well for the study of Geography at university.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is a very good personal statement and is well-written. The student is clearly interested in many aspects of geography, which is very important as geography is a multi-disciplinary subject. The student describes several areas of geography which capture their interest, demonstrating their interest and commitment to the reader. The student justifies their decision to take a gap year well, and the relevance their activities will have to the subject of geography and their interests in global aid.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

The student misspells the word ‘millennium’ in the second paragraph. The second paragraph is also very long. It is hard for the reader to stay focused when reading through long paragraphs, and it would have been better if the student had separated the second paragraph into two. The final paragraph is also very long, and it is not clear where the conclusion begins. As a result, the end of the statement does not deliver the impact which the student has intended to produce. If the student separates the sentence ‘These activities demonstrate leadership skills, commitment and an enthusiastic approach to challenges, all of which will equip me well for the study of Geography at university’ into a new final paragraph, this would have made the final statement much more effective.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is a very good statement. The student has a wealth of experiences and clearly highly motivated to study geography. Some paragraphs are very long, and this reduces the impact that the statement has on the reader. With some restructuring, this could be an excellent statement.

This Personal Statement for Geography is a solid example of demonstrating a wealth of knowledge, motivation and interest, vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

You can find more successful personal statements and our expert guides on our Free Personal Statement Resources page.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Geography application.

With our  Oxbridge Geography Premium Programme, we help you craft the perfect Personal   Statement , score highly on the TSA and teach you how to  Interview effectively .

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Geography personal statement example 21.

From the dry, arid Saharan desert, to the cold, unforgiving Arctic, the world is home to a diverse and breathtaking range of environments. The astonishing array of landscapes across the globe are home to a staggering 8.7 million species. It is the extraordinary variety of the physical world which I find captivating and makes me want to study geography.

The world is dynamic. Studying geography leaves me asking questions concerning our planet's future. Will climate change continue to impact ecosystems? Will the same species exist in ten years? And of course, the somewhat selfish but important question that is at the core of geography: how will these problems affect humans? ...And are we to blame for causing them?

I am particularly interested in the use of GIS in aiding my understanding of geography. It is a rapidly developing area that provides a framework for comprehending the characteristics and problems of an area. A major issue at the moment which interests me greatly concerns the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. I attended a lecture in Reading which covered this problem. I was shocked to learn that since 2000, 184,651 square kilometres of vegetation has been destroyed. That’s a decrease of 5.24%, which is equivalent to 50 football pitches being destroyed every minute. As a geographer, this made me question the negative impact this must have on the wildlife and environment. I also was concerned as to how this problem can be managed to create a sustainable environment.

Alongside geography, I have taken A Levels in maths and chemistry. In particular, the statistics module I studied in maths has proved especially useful in aiding my understanding of geography. Last year, I completed my geography fieldwork which investigated how the River Chess’ characteristics change as the river flows downstream. I applied my knowledge of statistics to analyse the data I collected; for example, using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to assess whether the width of the river increased as it flowed downstream.

I attended the school’s Engineering and Kinetics Society where I learned about the construction of dams. I found the link between engineering and hydrology very interesting, especially the environmental impacts associated with the building of dams. The Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest dams in the world, is an example I find particularly notable because of its devastating effects on the environment: 172 million tons of sediment is trapped by the dam every year, threatening the lives of 25 of the 177 unique fish species found in the Yangtze River and contributing to the decline of the critically endangered baiji dolphin. This concerns me greatly and, as a geographer, I am motivated to widen my knowledge of this in order to provide solutions to these troubling problems.

During the summer last year, I undertook two weeks of work experience at one of BP's offices in London. I processed plans for new oil rigs, although I questioned the effects these structures have on the ocean environment - especially contamination from oil spills and metal pipes corroding.

I volunteer once a week at Helen and Douglas House, a charity providing hospice care for terminally ill children. Here, I gained experience in teamwork and communication skills, which I hope to apply when I go to university - hopefully through joining a geographical society.

Furthermore, I write english articles for Fizzy, a fashion and lifestyle magazine sold in Germany. This has given me experience of working life, as well as boosting my organisational skills because I have to meet strict deadlines.

I know that a career in geography is best suited to me because I am an enthusiastic individual and I am very eager to learn more about my subject. As a geographer, I am motivated to ask the questions that concern our planet and, more importantly, help find the answers.

Profile info

There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.

Author's Comments

Predicted grades: AAC.

University responses:

University of Birmingham: conditional offer (AAB; no interview.) University of Manchester: conditional offer (AAB; interviewed. The university emailed me personally to say they would still accept me if I got lower grades than my UCAS offer because they liked my personal statement and interview.) University of East Anglia: conditional offer (ABB; no interview.) University of Liverpool: conditional offer (ABB; no interview.) Bangor University: conditional offer (300 UCAS points; no interview.)

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE BA Geography Personal Statement

Submitted by Amelia

Choose tourism at UCB, an ITT Centre of Excellence.

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BA Geography Personal Statement

As an eleven-year-old, I travelled to the Cape Verde Islands. As soon as our plane began to descend, I was astonished by the diverse landscape below me. An abundance of questions burst into my mind: how was this desert-like island created? What causes the waves here to be so powerful? Who would live in a place like this? Why are the neighbouring islands volcanic yet Boa Vista was covered in fine white sand? My fascination for geography had begun- alongside a passion for travelling. Most recently, I have sailed past the Soufriere Hills volcano in Montserrat- creating my enthusiasm for volcanism. The surrounding areas were desolate whilst the volcano itself was full of life, with clouds of smoke pouring out. I have now studied plate tectonics in depth, and know it was created as the Atlantic plate subducted under the Caribbean plate. It became active in 1995, causing mass evacuations and obliterated the city of Plymouth . The trip also gave me an insight into how diverse different cultures are- when I visited Havana in Cuba I learnt that every male has to complete at least two years of military service as they are a communist country surrounded by capitalist countries, like the USA, that wish to undermine its communist principles so they had to be fit and prepared for any future attack.

For my A-Levels, I am studying geography, maths and economics. I enjoy all three and I find the latter two help deepen my geographical understanding, for example, I explore economic impacts of different scenarios, such as how countries modify their economic losses after a natural disaster, and I use maths in situations such as doing a location quotient to measure the concentration of steel-related industries in Sheffield. I have carried out fieldwork in Malham, North Yorkshire, and the postglacial landscape amazed me. It helped me put into perspective the sheer size of glaciers by seeing how large the glacier must have been to fill the Chapel le Dale glacial trough. Not only did this help my understanding of glaciers, but it also taught me an array of skills such as how to measure the size of drumlins and how to measure the depth of soil, working as a team and individually. In July 2017, I attended a Sutton Trust Summer School and the one-week residential played an integral part in my firm decision to apply for university. The trip not only gave me an insight into university life but also taught me a lot about myself which enabled me to determine the course I wish to study. Before attending, I planned to do solely physical geography however the taster lectures allowed me to see how diverse and interesting human geography is, sparking a new interest in this side of geography.

I enjoy broadening my horizons and regularly listen to podcasts relating to geography- my favourite being "Are we bigger than the biosphere? An ecologist's examination of our human-dominated planet" by Professor Malhi. It highlights the interrelation between human activity and the biosphere- something which I found profoundly interesting having not studied this subject in depth yet. In addition, I have fun reading a wide range of magazines and newspapers such as 'Geographical' and 'The Economist'. I particularly love the Explorers section of the magazine 'Geographical' because it gives me the inspiration to venture away from the beaten track and it helps me learn about different cultures. Documentaries such as 'Our Guy in China' also fascinate me- I learnt a staggering 700 people die on China's road per day due to accidents- mainly due to its overpopulated, undeveloped roads. The world around me is constantly changing; climate is becoming increasingly difficult to control, the amount of environmental degradation is becoming worrying, a persistent rise in population is causing numerous cases of overcrowding, poverty is still a global problem... all in which makes geography increasingly relevant.

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