University Courses You Can Study With Geography

Geography opens more doors than most matriculants expect. It leads to geo-informatics, environmental science, urban and regional planning, development studies and teaching. Economics, the other subject many of you ask about, feeds into BCom degrees, econometrics and planning. Almost every course below also asks for Mathematics, so your Maths level matters as much as your Geography symbol.

This guide lists the degrees by field. It gives the entry requirements that Stellenbosch, Pretoria, Wits and Limpopo publish, and shows how to check where your own marks fit.

TL;DR

• Geography leads to BSc Geography, Geo-informatics, Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning and BA Development and Environment.
• Most BSc routes ask for Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) and often Physical Sciences. Published APS cut-offs in this guide range from 34 to 42.
• Economics leads to BCom Economics and Econometrics, and is compulsory in many commerce degrees. The Maths requirement is usually Level 5 or 60%.
• Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Apply early and keep a 1 to 2 point buffer above the published APS.
• Enter your marks in our APS calculator to see matching programmes. Your marks stay on your device.

Table of Contents

• What you can study with Geography
• Geography and environmental science degrees
• Geo-informatics and GIS
• Urban and regional planning
• Development and the environment (BA)
• BSc Geographical and Archaeological Studies
• What you can study with Economics
• Entry requirements at a glance
• Which marks matter most
• Where Geography and Economics meet
• Careers these degrees lead to
• Perspective
• Check your marks against these courses
• Applying: timing and selection
• FAQ
• Sources

What you can study with Geography

Geography is a bridge subject. It sits between the natural sciences (climate, landforms, ecosystems) and the social sciences (cities, migration, development). Universities build different degrees on each side of it.

The main families are:

• Geography and environmental science: BSc degrees that train you to study landscapes, climate and human impact on the environment.
• Geo-informatics and GIS: mapping, remote sensing and spatial data. This is the most technical route.
• Urban and regional planning: designing and managing towns, cities and regions.
• Development studies: BA degrees that combine Geography with Sociology, Public Management and Economics.
• Teaching: Geography is a school subject, so it is a common route into the classroom.

The sections below take each in turn, using the entry requirements the universities publish themselves.

Geography and environmental science degrees

The University of Pretoria offers a BSc in Geography with the option Geography and Environmental Science. The 2026 yearbook asks for English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 5, Mathematics at Level 5, Physical Sciences at Level 5 and an APS of 34. Life Orientation is left out of the APS calculation.

UP says that graduates can work in teaching, research, environmental management, urban development, regional and rural development and environmental health. It names employers such as the Green Scorpions, SABS, SANBI and the CSIR.

The University of Limpopo has a lower and older style of requirement for its B.Sc. Environmental and Resource Studies. It lists matriculation exemption with at least 18 points, at least D (HG) in Geography, E (HG) in English and E (SG) in Mathematics. Physical Science, Biology, Agricultural Science, Accounting and Economics are listed as other subjects that are considered. Higher Grade and Standard Grade are the old pre-NSC levels, so confirm the current NSC equivalent with the university’s admissions office.

The University of Mpumalanga offers a BSc in Environmental Science. It is designed around the province’s own challenges: agriculture and conservation under pressure from pollution, mining, climate change and land reform. If you want to work close to home, a regional programme like this is worth a look.

For a deeper look at marks for this field, see our guide to environmental science entry requirements.

Geo-informatics and GIS

If you like maps and technology as much as landscapes, this is your route. Stellenbosch’s BSc Geo-Informatics merges Geography with Computer Science and Scientific Computing. It needs a strong foundation in Mathematics (up to Code 6) and Physical Sciences. Finishing the degree and then an Honours year allows professional accreditation.

The University of Pretoria’s BSc in Geoinformatics asks for English Level 5, Mathematics Level 5, Physical Sciences Level 5 and an APS of 34. The yearbook also says that returning students must apply before the end of August.

The pattern is clear. The more technical the degree, the more Mathematics and Physical Sciences it expects. If your Maths is weaker, look at the planning and development routes below.

Urban and regional planning

The Wits BSc in Urban and Regional Planning covers geography, economics, sociology, property studies and mathematics. Teaching is mostly in small groups, with field trips to real planning problems. Wits asks for an APS of 36 or more, English Level 5 and Mathematics Level 5. Applicants with an APS of 30 to 35 are wait-listed, subject to places.

The same page says the Honours programme lets graduates register with the South African Council of Planners (SACPLAN) once they have the required practical experience. Careers it lists include:

• local, provincial and national government planner
• transport planner
• environmental planner
• land use planner
• economic development planner
• urban designer
• policy analyst
• property management

This is a good choice if you want Geography and Economics in the same degree.

Development and the environment (BA)

Stellenbosch’s BA in Development and Environment is built on a core of Geography, Sociology and Public Management. It adds compulsory Economics modules matched to your mathematical background.

The published admission requirements (a 2023 document, so check the current year) are Home Language 50% or First Additional Language 40%. If you take Economics as a university subject, Mathematics at 60% is required. If you take Socio-Informatics, you need Mathematics 50% or Mathematical Literacy 70%.

This is one of the few routes here where Mathematical Literacy can still keep you in the running. It makes it useful for Geography learners who did not take Mathematics.

BSc Geographical and Archaeological Studies

The Wits BSc in Geographical and Archaeological Studies asks for an APS of 42 or more with English Level 5 and Mathematics Level 5. Applicants with 40 to 41 points may be wait-listed. All Faculty of Science applicants must write the National Benchmark Test (NBT), so book your sitting well before your application closes. Our admission requirements explainer covers how the NBT fits in.

What you can study with Economics

Economics has a different spread. It is the engine of the commerce faculty, and Wits notes that every commerce graduate must complete at least one year of Economics. That means Economics is useful even when your degree is not called Economics.

Routes include:

• BCom Economics
• BCom Econometrics
• BCom Management Sciences and Industrial Psychology
• Development and planning degrees (see above)
• Sustainable development diplomas

BCom Economics and Econometrics

Wits asks for an APS of 38 or more, English Level 5 and Mathematics Level 5 for its BCom in Economics. Applicants with 35 to 37 points who have those two Level 5s are wait-listed.

The University of Pretoria’s BCom specialising in Economics (2025 page) asks for English Level 5, Mathematics Level 5 and an APS of 32. Its BCom specialising in Econometrics (2026) raises Mathematics to Level 6 with the same APS of 32.

Stellenbosch’s BCom (Economic Sciences), BCom (Management Sciences) and BCom (Industrial Psychology) need an overall NSC average of at least 65% excluding Life Orientation, Mathematics 60%, and English or Afrikaans Home Language 50% (or First Additional Language 60%).

A lower-entry option

Stellenbosch’s Diploma in Sustainable Development asks for an NSC average of at least 55% excluding Life Orientation. It also has several Mathematics routes: Mathematics 50% or Mathematical Literacy 60%, or Mathematics 40% or Mathematical Literacy 50% with 60% in Business Studies, Economics or Accounting. English Home Language is 50%, or First Additional Language 60%.

Entry requirements at a glance

These are the figures the universities publish, with the year of each page. Requirements change, so confirm against the university page before you apply.

Universities do not all calculate APS the same way. Some exclude Life Orientation and some weight subjects differently. That is why one APS number never travels cleanly between institutions.

Which marks matter most

Geography on its own rarely decides your place. Look at these in order:

1. Mathematics. Most degrees above ask for Level 5 or 60%. Econometrics and Geo-informatics lean hardest on it.
2. English. Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 5 is typical for Wits and Pretoria.
3. Physical Sciences. It is needed for BSc Geography at Pretoria and for Geo-informatics.
4. Your overall APS. Aim for a buffer, not the bare minimum.

If you have Mathematical Literacy rather than Mathematics, the BA routes and some diplomas are where to start. Our guide on how to choose a degree with your APS walks through the process step by step.

Where Geography and Economics meet

Some degrees use both subjects. Wits Urban and Regional Planning draws on both. Stellenbosch’s Development and Environment degree makes Economics modules compulsory beside Geography. Sustainable development diplomas also touch both.

If you took Geography and Economics at school, these are the programmes where both subjects count in your favour. They also give you a broader career range than a purely technical degree.

Careers these degrees lead to

Based on what the universities themselves list:

• Planning: government planner, transport planner, land use planner, urban designer (Wits).
• Environment: environmental management and research, with employers such as the Green Scorpions, SABS, SANBI and the CSIR (Pretoria).
• Education: teaching Geography at school.
• Regional work: conservation, agriculture and sustainability roles tied to a province (Mpumalanga).
• Business and policy: commerce and economics graduates move into the fields their faculty covers; Wits notes Economics is foundational across its commerce faculty.

If you want a registered professional title, check the route early. Wits says its planning Honours route allows registration with SACPLAN after practical experience. Stellenbosch says Geo-Informatics followed by Honours allows professional accreditation.

Perspective

We built Asksmarty because most students start with a subject they enjoy, then spend weeks working out whether any degree will take them. Geography is a perfect example. It appears in science, arts and planning degrees, and each one asks for different marks.

Our view is that you should see where you qualify before you fall in love with one course. That is why our calculator turns your marks into matching programmes across our database of more than 1,700 university and college programmes. Your marks never leave your device, and there is no account or fee.

We are independent of any institution. We point you to the official portal to apply, and we reference admission information to official sources. Use the numbers as a map, then confirm with the university.

Nkosi

Check your marks against these courses

Our APS calculator takes your matric marks and shows programmes you qualify for, including Geography, environmental, planning and commerce degrees. Nothing is submitted and nothing is stored on our side.

When you want to browse, use Find a Programme to filter the national list. You can also open the pages for Stellenbosch, Wits or UJ for deadlines and application steps.

Applying: timing and selection

Deadlines differ by university and by programme. Stellenbosch says its Economic and Management Sciences undergraduate applications open in April and close on 31 July. Two exceptions are the Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Public Accountability (15 December) and the Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Development (30 September). Stellenbosch also says its local and international undergraduate applications for the January intake close at the end of June. So the closing date depends on the faculty, and some pages give different dates. Read the programme page itself.

Entry requirements are a minimum, not an offer. Stellenbosch’s yearbook says that meeting the minimum does not mean you will be admitted, because places follow the faculty’s enrolment plan. Pretoria’s yearbook says the same about minimum academic requirements, and that unsuccessful candidates are notified after 30 June.

Practical steps:

1. Calculate your APS and compare it with at least three universities.
2. Add a buffer of one or two points above the published figure.
3. Check whether the NBT is needed for your faculty and book it early.
4. Apply well before the closing date on the official portal.
5. Apply for a second-choice programme in case you are wait-listed.

Our university application guide and how to apply page cover the process from start to finish.

FAQ

Can I study Geography at university without Mathematics?

Some routes allow it, but BSc degrees such as Geography at Pretoria need Mathematics at Level 5. Arts routes are more flexible. Stellenbosch’s BA in Development and Environment lists Mathematical Literacy 70% as an option if you take Socio-Informatics. Check the specific programme page.

What can I study with Economics if I do not want a BCom?

Economics also feeds planning and development degrees. Wits’s Urban and Regional Planning covers economics among its fields, and Stellenbosch’s Development and Environment includes compulsory Economics modules. Sustainable development diplomas are another route.

What APS do I need for Geography degrees?

It depends on the university. Pretoria publishes an APS of 34 for BSc Geography and Geoinformatics, Wits asks for 36 or more for Urban and Regional Planning and 42 or more for Geographical and Archaeological Studies. Always aim a point or two above the published number.

Is a Geography degree useful for a career?

Universities link it to environmental management, planning, GIS, research and teaching. Pretoria names employers including the CSIR and SANBI. The route you pick determines how technical the work is.

Sources

• Undergraduate, Stellenbosch University Geography
• Economics, Wits University
• Urban and Regional Planning, Wits University
• Geographical and Archaeological Sciences, Wits University
• Undergraduate programmes admission requirements, Stellenbosch University
• Economic and Management Sciences yearbook, Stellenbosch University
• BSc Geography and Environmental Science yearbook, University of Pretoria
• BSc Geography and Environmental Science programme page, University of Pretoria
• BSc Geoinformatics yearbook, University of Pretoria
• BCom specialising in Economics, University of Pretoria
• BCom specialising in Econometrics yearbook, University of Pretoria
• School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Limpopo
• BSc in Environmental Science, University of Mpumalanga

Recommended

• Geosciences (Geography) Applied Curriculum - NMU (APS 370)
• B Sc Geography with Hydrology as Major 2 - UNIZULU (APS 28)
• Geosciences (Geography) - NMU (APS 410)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) with Sociology and Geography - NWU (APS 22)