Undergraduate Fieldtrips
Learn about the fieldtrips you will take as a student on an undergraduate course with the UCL Department of Geography
Explore BSc Geography
Take learning beyond the classroom with field trips across Europe, hands-on research, group projects, and expert guidance in geography.
View the courseAt UCL Geography, fieldwork is central to your learning. Throughout your degree you’ll take part in a variety of field trips, exploring methods and research in both physical and human geography in diverse environments.
- The first-year field trip is compulsory for all single-honours (and some joint-honours) students.
- In previous years, UCL has covered all accommodation and flight costs for this trip, as well as most food costs.
- For more details about costs for other trips, see our Undergraduate Prospectus.
Fieldtrip locations are subject to change each year.
The Department aims to provide a field class in every year of study, but this is dependent on international travel restrictions.
- A week-long introduction to field and data analysis methods.
- Activities included: river quality surveys in Montseny Natural Park, group-based urban research in Barcelona, and coastal management studies.
- Students also developed notebook, coding, and data-visualisation skills.
- Focused on surveying, monitoring, and modelling environmental processes.
- Research projects carried out in two protected natural areas.
- Students used research-grade equipment, analysed lab data, and presented findings as conference papers and research articles.
- Examined Glasgow’s changing economic, cultural, and architectural geographies.
- Activities included walking tours, museum and gallery research, archival work, and ethnographic fieldwork.
- Explored Mediterranean environments through geology, climate, vegetation, and human interaction.
- Key activities: studying petrified forests, sediment cores, tree-ring analysis, and microclimates.
- Students presented their results to the group on the final day.
- Investigated themes of territory and diplomacy using Gibraltar as a case study.
- Topics included border politics post-Brexit, sovereignty, and global diplomacy.
- Students co-produced original research projects.
- Focused on experimental methods in urban geography.
- Methods included auto-ethnography (cycling through the city), photography, and video analysis.
- Students collated their findings into a web essay.
Fieldwork in Action
Do
Take part fully in group and field activities
Fieldwork works best when everyone contributes. Engage actively in projects and discussions. The more you put in, the more you’ll gain.
Keep detailed notes, sketches, and observations
Your field notebook is a vital tool. Recording data, impressions, and sketches in the moment will strengthen your analysis back in London.
Use the chance to build connections
Fieldtrips are also about meeting people. Take the opportunity to get to know staff and fellow students in a different setting.
Don't
Assume every trip is fixed
Locations may change year to year depending on logistics and travel restrictions. Stay flexible. Every destination offers unique opportunities.
Forget that some trips have costs
UCL covers many first-year expenses, but later field classes may have associated costs. Always check guidance in advance.
Miss opportunities to collaborate
Fieldwork is about teamwork as much as independent study. Share ideas, listen to others, and contribute to group projects.
Explore Fieldwork at UCL Geography
See trip details, costs, and how field classes fit into your degree in the UCL Geography Undergraduate Prospectus.
Open UG ProspectusGot questions? Get in touch.
Contact us if you have any questions about studying Geography at UCL.
