Economic and geographic issues dominate the news and shape the world we live in. This area covers everything from globalisation and consumerism to sustainability and responses to epidemics. This joint degree combines the study of human geography and economics by focusing on the spatial implications of economic processes and the economic implications of social processes. You will gain analytical skills and specialist knowledge of economics as you develop through this course, giving you a valuable edge over other applicants when it comes to getting a job. Research techniques include a range of methods of quantitative analysis as well as interviewing and ethnographic approaches making graduates some of the most sought-after from the university. You can also choose to take a full year of study abroad or professional experience as part of your degree, usually between your second and third year of study. Recent destinations for study abroad year include Melbourne, Australia and Ottawa, Canada. You will benefit from the links that members of staff have with industry and with external organisations such as NGOs, local authorities, and government departments. Most recently, a final year student undertook field work for her dissertation at the Environmental Studies Centre in Cyprus, benefiting from the expertise and facilities available in a challenging and exciting environment overseas. You will gain the skills for careers in renewable energy, wildlife conservation, and development studies, urban and transport planning, biodiversity and climatology.  Graduates have followed careers in retail management, transport consultancy, regeneration management and the Whitehall civil service. Others work in environmental consultancies, hazards and insurance, real estate and property, and international development as flood risk analysts, commercial managers, GIS analysts, portfolio managers, campaign executives, social researchers, nature conservation officers, web designers, human resources officers and quantity surveyors.