Global Geography explores how human societies and physical environments are deeply connected and constantly changing. Students learn how to analyze global processes including urbanization, uneven development and inequality, migration and identity formation, and environmental change. The field allows students to combine approaches from the social sciences, humanities, and physical sciences to identify solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Ultimately, you will be equipped with skills that will prepare you for a career in Canada and abroad in areas such as government, journalism and media, development agencies, private-sector corporations and the non-profit sector.
Program Overview
As a Global Geography student, you will gain knowledge and skills through hands-on classroom activities, field- and lab-based exercises, and community engagement. You will acquire technical skills and experience in geographical information systems, data analysis, research methods, and field techniques, while also enhancing your communication, reasoning, and leadership skills to address societal and environmental challenges.
You have a variety of options on the types of degrees you wish to pursue. For example, you may wish to complete a 90-credit Bachelor of Science (BSc) which typically takes three years to finish, or a 120-credit degree (Honours BSc) which typically takes four years to complete. You have several choices on how to complete the Honours BSc program; for instance, you can double major or major/minor in two different programs.
Students will explore these critical global issues:
- Human migration and identities
- Economic development and inequalities
- Geopolitical power
- Global urbanization
- Flows of knowledge, culture, and data
- Changing global environments
The program (your major) is structured around a sequence of required core courses starting in your first year of study, as well as elective courses that you can choose. These core courses will provide the foundation to your scholarly and professional development in the program.
- The Land We’re On
- The World Today
- Weather and Climate
- The Dynamic Earth
- Elective courses of your choice. These can be used to start a double major or minor with your Global Geography degree.
- Global Urban Geography
- Migration and Displacement
- Introduction to Geomatics
- Technological Worlds: Geographies of Digital Capitalism
- Terrestrial Ecosystems
- Critical Geographies of Education
- Urban Environmental Justice
In addition to the first year core courses which focuses on building knowledge in the field and your academic skills, you will complete additional courses that include hands-on and field studies such as
- Field Studies in Physical Geography
- Research Design & Field Studies in Human Geography
- On Location: The Spatial Politics of Urban Placemaking
- Semester Abroad at the Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica
- Academic exchange with one of our partner universities worldwide
Program Curriculum
Our programs offer you a flexible and individualized approach to your studies. Customize your degree for your future - choose to complete a 3-year or 4-year degree, add optional pathways to your study plan, including double majors & minors, specialized certificates, add on a master’s degree to your time at York U, or choose from a variety of elective course options.
One year in the program equals 30 credits per year over the fall, winter, and summer semesters. To understand what year you are in, total up your successfully completed credits.
One year in the program equals 30 credits per year over the fall, winter, and summer semesters. To understand what year you are in, total up your successfully completed credits.
This list of General Education Courses contains some of the options that can be used to meet your general education requirements. The courses in green are offered within the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. The remaining courses are offered within a different faculty at York and may require students to gain permission from that faculty or department. Please note that not all of the courses will be available every year and in every term, make sure to consult the York U Course Website to learn more.
As part of your degree, you may want to add one of 2 certificates that are offered within EUC. Adding a certificate will provide you with additional knowledge and skills-sets to help level up and accelerate your career. Learn more about adding either the Certificate in Climate Solutions and Sustainable Energy or the Certificate in Geomatics: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing or set up an appointment with your Academic Advisor to learn more.
Want to complete an undergrad AND a masters in 5 years? Check out our 3+2 program to learn more and set up an appointment with your Academic Advisor to see if you meet the requirements.
Do you want to become a teacher? Check out the Direct Entry Bed program and complete two university degrees at the same time to become a qualified teacher in Ontario.
Lastly, you may want to add a Double Major or Minor to your program to increase your learning while completing your degree. Check out the Academic Calendar to see what’s on offer and consult with your Academic Advisor to learn more about the requirements and next steps.
Career Path
With issues of globalization, urbanization, migration, sustainability, and equity at the forefront of the public consciousness, more organizations and businesses are looking to hire professionals with technical and transferrable skills developed by studying geography. Along with developing hands-on geographic knowledge and experiences, students utilize in-demand transferrable skills including critical thinking, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data, and communication that expand career opportunities. Our graduates are working in both the public and private sectors in a variety of fields including education, business, finance and banking, science and technology, consulting, and government.
To help you succeed, our Experiential Education Coordinator provides a variety of career support services to our students including resume help, interview prep, and career planning workshops, and maintains an exclusive job board just for our students.
Sample Career
- Geo-demographic and Environmental Analyst
- Global Geography and Environmental Educator
- Conservation Planner
- Climatologist, Meteorologist
- GIS and Remote Sensing Analyst
- Government official (Municipal, Provincial, Federal level)
The Official Global Geography Playlist
Have you ever wondered... which songs represent #YorkUEUC programs the best? Listen to The Official Global Geography Playlist 🎶
Testimonials
Ready to turn your passion into a profession? At EUC, our students and alumni are channeling their passion for the environment and social justice into meaningful careers that drive positive change. From hands-on learning experiences to real-world research projects, discover how EUC is empowering the next generation of changemakers. Hear their stories and get a glimpse of the exciting path that could await you!
The experiential learning opportunities offered within EUC have enabled me to build valuable connections with esteemed faculty and likeminded peers. These immersive experiences have not only equipped me with strong research skills but also instilled in me a passion for environmental stewardship, preparing me to make a tangible impact in the field.
Through the Cities, Regions, Planning and Schulich PMMP (4+1 Pathway) program, I aim to integrate urban planning principles with sustainable practices to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring healthy ecosystems andvibrant communities.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming community, experiential education courses, and networking opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
Through the Cities, Regions, Planning and Schulich PMMP (4+1 Pathway) program, I aim to integrate urban planning principles with sustainable practices to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring healthy ecosystems andvibrant communities.
My EUCURA research investigated the ways in which Indigenous people do not have the same ability to forget, and it found that polishing the chain could be used pedagogically to expose non-Indigenous Canadians to their luxury of forgetting and it may create daily “radical reminders” of the ongoing colonization of this land.
The SHSM program has provided me valuable experience, training and certifications, which has strengthened my resume and developed skills related to my field of study. Through SHSM, I was able to feel more aligned
with my ambitions and commitment to succeed. Furthermore, the program’s benefits have made me a stronger candidate for financing opportunities by showcasing my dedication and preparation for university-level work.
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I chose to study Environmental Arts and Justice because this program combines my interests of sustainability and environmental issues with the arts and human rights. I wanted to learn how to incorporate my creative skills as an artist and a musician into my passion for the environment, all while advocating for social and environmental change.
I picked EAJ because I knew it would give me the foundations in how to apply a more creative aspect in my teaching style when I would become a teacher. Also because I was curious in how art can help drive environmental, social and political change (climate justice) during our climate crisis.
Katherine Tse is a recipient of EUC's Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA) in Summer 2024. She was part of the study on Lake Scugog where York University undergraduate students in the Environmental Science program partnered with the Scugog Lake Stewards to investigate lake ice decline.
The experiential learning opportunities offered within EUC have enabled me to build valuable connections with esteemed faculty and likeminded peers. These immersive experiences have not only equipped me with strong research skills but also instilled in me a passion for environmental stewardship, preparing me to make a tangible impact in the field.
Claire O'Hagan is one of the recipients of the inaugural EUC Undergraduate Research Awards (EUCURA) in 2022. As part of the award, she worked with Professor Joshua Thienpont on a project titled Assessing a potential tool for rapid assessment of shoreline permafrost thaw impacts to lake sediments.
With geography, we learn of the absence of neutrality in space, as there is always more to it than meets the eye. Every corner of the world bears historical struggles and inspirations for future possibilities. As a future geography and history teacher, my goal is to educate people on the importance of making and understanding connections between the two disciplines.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming community, experiential education courses, and networking opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
My favourite part of the program is its diverse curriculum. Economic, Environmental, and Global Political Problems and their possible solutions and many more interesting concepts are part of this curriculum.
Jesse Hughes is a recipient of the EUC Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA) and worked with Gail Fraser on the project ‘Quantifying predator type and abundance of nesting common terns at Tommy Thompson Park.
Through the Cities, Regions, Planning and Schulich PMMP (4+1 Pathway) program, I aim to integrate urban planning principles with sustainable practices to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring healthy ecosystems andvibrant communities.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming community, experiential education courses, and networking opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
Las Nubes was a life changing academic experience. It gives you such a personal, unique, intimate travel experience that regular travel doesn’t provide, and I would recommend it for any student who is eligible.
My favourite part of the program is its diverse curriculum. Economic, Environmental, and Global Political Problems and their possible solutions and many more interesting concepts are part of this curriculum.
Katherine Tse is a recipient of EUC's Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA) in Summer 2024. She was part of the study on Lake Scugog where York University undergraduate students in the Environmental Science program partnered with the Scugog Lake Stewards to investigate lake ice decline.
Jasper Wong is a recipient of the EUC Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA) and worked on the project on Land use/Land cover dynamics and land surface temperature within the Humber River Catchment using Remote Sensing and GIS with Professor Adeyemi Olusola.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming community, experiential education courses, and networking opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
The field of planning resonates with me on a personal level, and the prospect of creating meaningful connections within a community and environment has always fascinated me.
My experience at EUC has been truly transformative—far exceeding my expectations as an international student. The supportive community, close-knit connections, and the confidence I’ve gained have made EUC an unforgettable part of my journey.
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My journey has been driven by a passion for addressing climate change impacts, advocating for vulnerable communities and shaping international climate policy. From coordinating national climate strategies to negotiating on behalf of small island states, I’ve dedicated myself to environmental justice and sustainable development. I’m proud to have played a role in influencing global climate targets and continuing to champion critical issues in international discussions.
[Getting involved within faculty-student programs] can be incredibly beneficial. These programs offer opportunities to build meaningful relationships beyond just academic acquaintanceships. Especially during stressful times, like navigating university life, having a supportive community can make all the difference. It's reassuring to know that others are facing similar challenges and that genuine connections can be formed.
As a student, I recommend you explore opportunities beyond what academia can offer. Take advantages of opportunities outside of the classroom. If your program offers you an opportunity to take courses abroad or if there is a learning opportunity outside of classes – go for it!
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Key Contact Information
| Name | Title | Extension | Office No. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Mensah | Professor | 66344 | HNES 229 | eucgg@yorku.ca |
| Brittany Giglio | Recruitment & Admission Officer | 22671 | HNES 125 | eucapply@yorku.ca |
| Sharrieffa Sattaur | Administrative and Records Assistant - Undergraduate Program | 30397 | HNES 130 | EUAdvise@yorku.ca |