The Department of Geography provides students with a broad range of courses in Human and Physical Geography which focus on the nature and evolution of the numerous and complex physical and human environment systems of the world. Students are required to select courses from both the human and physical fields. Within the program of studies it is possible for students through course selection to follow a particular line of interest in, for example, Rural Geography, Resource Management, Urban and Economic Geography, Biophysical Resources or Geomorphology.
The 1000 level courses provide a foundation for the Geography programs and are prerequisites or are strongly recommended for many of the 2000 level courses. The 2000 level systematic courses are prerequisite to the corresponding advanced courses at the 3000 and 4000 level. All students should obtain a copy of the department program planning guide and consult with faculty before planning their course of studies.
Explore the interconnection of human activities and environmental systems both locally and globally. Build specialty technical skills and the ability to apply them to 21st century challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change adaptation, ecological and community sustainability, social and environmental justice, food and energy futures. All of these and more are the concerns of professional geographers.
Sample Careers
Land use planner
Environmental consultant
NGO advisor/analyst
Public sector conservation agency
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East,
Guelph,
Ontario (ON),
N1G 2W1, Canada
The secondary school graduation certificate which would admit a student to an internationally recognized university in his or her home country is normally acceptable for admission to the University of Guelph.
English Proficiency Requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency - Minimum overall score of 176 with no band less than 169.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) - Minimum overall band score of 70
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21; Computer-based: minimum score of 250; Paper-based: minimum score of 600
Duolingo English Test - Minimum overall score of 110. Individual subscores may be considered.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) - Minimum score of 60 and no score less than 60 for any individual component
Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program - Successful completion of the University of Guelph, Open Learning Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (Levels 9 and 10).
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Located an hour outside Toronto, U of G provides a career-focused education combining academic excellence with a unique student experience.