Geography - Environment and Sustainability University of British Columbia

Overview

The Geography - Environment and Sustainability programme at the University of British Columbia provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the integrated systems that shape our planet. This Bachelor of Arts degree focuses on how historical and contemporary events are influenced by social, physical, and cultural circumstances. Students develop the critical skills necessary to address urgent global challenges through a flexible and multidisciplinary academic approach.

Why Geography - Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia?

Students join a world-class Geography Department that is consistently ranked among the top ten globally. The programme features newly redesigned courses taught by award-winning faculty who are leaders in environmental research. Learning takes place within an inclusive community of over 600 undergraduates, supported by state-of-the-art facilities in the Geography Building.

The department houses the Geographic Information Centre, which contains British Columbia’s largest collection of aerial photographs and extensive cartographic resources. Students also benefit from specialised research spaces, including the Lab for Advanced Spatial Analytics and the Surface Processes Lab. These facilities provide hands-on experience with geomatics and spatial data analysis.

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the curriculum, with opportunities for week-long field research trips and community development projects. Students can also gain professional experience by submitting their work to Trail Six, a peer-reviewed undergraduate journal. The programme’s strong links with local organisations offer unique jumping-off points for community-based learning and individual research projects.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 49548 per year
• National fee: CAD 6079 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to be adaptable, allowing students to explore specific areas of inquiry across various geographic sub-disciplines. Modules may include:

• Geography, Environment and Globalization
• Our Changing Environment: Climate and Ecosystems
• Vancouver and Its Region
• The State of the Earth
• Geographic Information Science
• Atmospheric Environments
• Environmental Justice and Social Change
• Earth's Recent Past
• Global Change Science

Careers with Geography - Environment and Sustainability

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in the environmental sphere, sustainability advocacy, and the private sector. The world requires engaged professionals to tackle complex ecological questions in government agencies, industry, and higher education. The robust training provided by the programme enables students to investigate environmental issues across multiple professional contexts.

Former students have secured positions such as GIS analysts, fisheries technologists, and coastal naturalists. Graduates also find success in business development, quality assurance engineering, and environmental management for both non-profit and corporate organisations. The degree serves as a strong foundation for those pursuing careers in global stewardship and resource management.