Geography Admissions Interviews.

Much of the interview focuses on candidates’ reactions to the set texts, and their responses to the questions. Candidates are given time before the interviews to read and think these texts and related questions. Visual material (e.g. a map or photograph) may be shown to candidates during the interview for their comments and interpretations. In the latter part of the interview the personal statement is used as the basis for discussion, giving candidates time to elaborate on what they have written on their application form and to explore their own particular personal interests.

Additional Information for Applicants

How many places are there for Geography at Robinson?

Robinson normally admits between six and eight geographers each year.

Geography at Cambridge.

It is important to consult the Geography Website because the structure and details of the course can vary from year to year.

The Geography Tripos is three years.  The First Year Course contains two compulsory papers plus Geographical Skills and Methods:

• Paper 1. Human Geography: People, Space and the Politics of Difference.
• Paper 2. Physical Geography: Environmental Processes and Change.

The Second Year Course consists of a core paper, ‘Living with Global Change’, plus a choice of three out of a possible six option papers.

In the Third year, students select four papers out of a possible 12 and complete a dissertation of up to 10,000 words. Past Robinson students have carried out projects on a wide range of topics, involving research throughout the UK and across the world. Students are given supervisions to support their choice of topic and the execution of their project, and present their ideas to other Robinson students in their second and third years.

Supervisions

Teaching at Cambridge takes place in both lectures and supervisions (small group sessions). The Directors of Studies at Robinson offers supervisions in some subjects and arranges supervisions with other specialist geographers where appropriate. Supervisions are where individual interests and needs are addressed and essays are set and discussed; they also involve discussions of the subject matter from the lectures, discussions of reading material and an evaluation of your written essays.

Dissertations and Careers

Many students find it beneficial to arrange their Third Year Options and Dissertation topics around a potential career – placements/internships are possible in which very useful work experience can be gained. Dissertations research is an opportunity for students to explore and develop their own interests in-depth. Such grounding can prove invaluable when job-seeking. Past Robinson Geography dissertations have examined topics including: AIDS in Cape Town, S. Africa; alternative power sources; the economic geography of Kuala Lumpur; the GIS of crime; and public emblems and culture in Jerusalem; and the testing and evaluation of predictive hydrological models.

Geographers learn a wide range of skills, which are welcomed by many employers.  A number of Robinson students each year to on to further study, either professional (graduate courses in law or teaching, for example) or academic (Masters programmes in Human and Physical Geography or cognate disciplines). Geography graduates are accepted in a very wide range of careers including teaching, planning, accountancy, insurance, management, social services, banking, conservation and environment and the Civil Service.

Updated June 2013