In this science-orientated sub-area, you will deal with the different geospheres (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and pedosphere) and their interactions.
Image: Beate Michalzik
What is Geography and what do you learn when you study Geography?
Geography = More than knowing cities, countries and rivers
Geography is more than just knowing all cities, countries and rivers: it explores natural, social and economic processes in their spatial contexts.
Geographers deal with numerous current social issues, for example
the causes and effects of climate change
natural hazards such as avalanches and floods
the consequences of globalisation for the economy and society.
And the tools and methods used by geographers are just as varied as the topics themselves. Among other things, they work with
maps
aerial and satellite images, drone images
Laboratory and field studies
Social science methods such as surveys and qualitative interviews
Geographical information systems - special software that can be used to analyse and visualise spatial data
A degree programme between natural and social sciences
The strength of Geography is its character as a bridging subject between the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. In the Geography degree programme, you will study the various sub-areas of Geography: the natural sciences of Physical Geography, the social sciences and humanities of Human Geography as well as Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing, which combine geographical issues with methods from Computer Science and Engineering.
Typical questions in the Geography degree programme are, for example:
How do landscape forms develop and change?
What do lake sediments and plant remains reveal about the past climate?
How do changes in climate and land use influence the properties of the soil?
How do innovations arise, and what role do companies’ global networks play in the dissemination of knowledge?
How do we deal with natural hazards and why do they have more serious consequences in some societies than in others?
How can the different development of cities and regions be explained and how can they be specifically shaped?
How do we create digital terrain models and maps?
How can we use satellite data to identify and monitor illegal deforestation?
Do you find these and similar questions exciting? Then studying Geography might be the right choice for you!
Why study Geography in Jena?
1. Broad training and setting your own focus at the same time
If you study Geography in Jena, you will receive an education in the full breadth of the subject - an important basis for understanding complex interrelationships across disciplinary boundaries. At the same time, you can specialise in individual areas of Geography depending on your interests - even during your Bachelor's degree.
The focus in Jena is on:
Geoinformatics and remote sensing
Physical Geography and Soil Science and
Economics and space.
There are different master's degree programmes corresponding to these focuses: you can specialise further depending on your interests.
2. Practical studies in a close network of science, city and business
With us, you’ll study in a practical way: laboratory and field placements, as well as excursions both at in Germany and abroad, are an integral part of the curriculum. The career-oriented internship, which is included in the curriculum for both Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, gives you an insight into professional life.
You can also gain practical teaching experience early on in the teacher training programme: In the third year of study, there is the school placement semester, which means you spend a whole semester at a school.
The Institute of Geography also maintains close cooperation with various non-university research institutes, companies and authorities, such as the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, the German Aerospace Center and Jena's business development agency JenaWirtschaft. The close network makes it easier for you to establish contacts in the world of work during your studies, for example through a job as a student assistant or through an internship.
In addition, the university's Career Point will support you from the outset in preparing for your career entry - with application coaching, job fairs and much more. With the Career Plan certificate programme, you can structure your studies in a career-oriented way. And students with an interest in an academic career can take part in a special honours programme.
3. We’re here to help you get started with your studies!
The transition from school to university is a big step. To help you settle into your studies, we offer a wide range of events to kick off your degree – from university-wide events to subject-specific activities.
During the orientation days, you’ll learn everything you need to know about organising your studies. And there are plenty of social events to help you get to know others, such as group hikes, barbecues and a pub crawl.
There are special information sessions for first-year Master’s students.
You can take part in workshops on study-related topics such as time management and learning strategies.
Even if you do run into difficulties during your studies, there are various contact points you can turn to for help – whether it’s a subject-related problem or you need support during a personal crisis.
4. Studying abroad for a semester? No problem!
A semester abroad is a valuable experience. This is possible during both the Bachelor's and Master's programmes - without losing any study time. Teacher training students can complete their school placement semester not only at a school in Thuringia, but also abroad.
Friedrich Schiller University has numerous partner universities throughout Europe and beyond. Erasmus+ exchange places for Geography students are available in France and Sweden, for example.
The University of Jena is also a member of the EC2U Alliance, the European Campus of City Universities: This gives you additional opportunities to gain international experience during your studies. For example, you can take part in summer schools, think tanks and many other projects and events.
5. No entry requirements
Studying Geography at the University of Jena is possible without Numerus Clausus (NC): the teacher training and Bachelor's degree programmes have no entry requirements.
For admission to one of the master's degree programmes, a Bachelor's degree in the ield of Geography or related disciplines is required.
6. Top places in national and international rankings
At the University of Jena you will find ideal study conditions - as shown by the results in various national and international rankings.
Here are two examples:
CHE Ranking: Geography at the University of Jena is in the top group in 14 of the 19 categories assessed in the last ranking 2024. The degree programme performed particularly well, for example, in terms of study organisation, library facilities and field trips.
StudyCheck ranking: In the ranking of the StudyCheck.de portal, the University of Jena is regularly among the most popular institutions of higher education in Germany. In 2025, it was among the top 5 in the category "Universities with more than 15,000 students".
7. "Student paradise Jena": Studying in a lively and green university city
Jena is a typical university town with a lively student life and international flair. Around a fifth of the approximately 110,000 inhabitants are students. In addition, there are numerous doctoral candidates from all over the world.
There is also plenty of greenery in Jena: parks and hiking trails with spectacular views of the city are right on the doorstep. Students can also visit the Botanical Gardens free of charge.
For sports fans, the university sports centre offers numerous sports courses: from Aikido to rugby and Zumba.
And the student ID is also a culture and semester ticket: this means admission to several cultural facilities and museums in Jena is included as well as a Germany ticket ("Deutschlandticket") for public transport.
Kurt studies Geography and French in the Teaching Degree Programme
Preview image: Universität Jena · Video: University of Jena
What comes after graduation?
Career prospects
As varied as the degree programme is, so are the career opportunities. Geographers and Geoinformatics specialists work in various industries, for example
in urban and regional planning
in management consultancies and insurance companies
in the logistics sector
in tourism and location marketing
in business development
in environmental protection and nature conservation
in the energy and water industry
in the area of environmental education and
in research.
You can find some specific examples in our
Graduate portraitsTheopportunities on the labour market for geographers are difficult to assess in general terms due to the wide range of possible occupational fields. In the category "Geography, Geology and Environmental Protection Professions", for example, the unemployment rate in Germany in 2025 was 4.3% (source: German Federal Employment AgencyExternal link). However, the labour market situation depends heavily on the sector and the specific role.
Master's programmes and doctorates
The majority of Bachelor's graduates go on to complete a Master's programme. The University of Jena offers several degree programmes in the subject area of Geography:
The master's programme also qualifies you for a doctorate in Germany and abroad.
For students who are interested in a scientific career at an early stage, the University of Jena has a special support programme for research-oriented students.
Solve tricky puzzles and learn more about studying Geography and the Institute of Geography in Jena at the same time: You can do this with our digital scavenger hunt using the free Actionbound app. You can play the tour from the comfort of your own home. Team challenges are also possible.
You can get to know students and teaching staff at the University of Jena's Student Information Day. There are information stands, lectures, campus tours and much more. The day always takes place in spring each year.
From "Physical Geography of Germany" to "Introduction to Geoinformatics": You can attend selected lectures during the lecture period and get a taste of everyday life as a student.
The generally understandable lectures always take place in the winter semester. They are ideal for getting to know our scientists up close and gaining an insight into current research topics! You can also watch some of the lectures online.
Image: Claudia Hilbert/Universität Jena
What our students say: Reviews of Geography B.Sc. at StudyCheck.de
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