Bachelor of Arts in Geography
About This Programme
Human and physical geography and geospatial analysis.
Course Highlights
- Taught at UAEU, ranked #217 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- American-style credit-hour degree taught in English
- UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored
What You'll Study
Taught full time, in person, on an American-style credit-hour system, primarily in English.
General Education
University General Education requirements (21 CH).
- GEEM110 Contemporary Emirati Studies3 credits
- GEAE101 Academic English for Humanities and STEM3 credits
- GEIT113 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3 credits
- GEIE222 Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship3 credits
- GESU121 Sustainability3 credits
Plus additional General Education elective credits selected across Themes 6-11 (Quantitative Reasoning & Critical Thinking, Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health & Wellness, and Cultural Diversity), per the University's General Education framework.
College Requirements
- HSSR101 Fundamentals of Humanities and Social Sciences3 credits
- HSSR103 People, Places, and Society3 credits
Geography Core Courses
24 CH.
- GEO200 World Regional Geography3 credits
- GEO201 Physical Geography3 credits
- GEO210 Human Geography3 credits
- GEO211 Remote Sensing3 credits
- GEO220 Principles of Cartography3 credits
- GEO221 Geographic Information Systems I3 credits
- GEO334 Spatial Analysis3 credits
- GEO336 Urban and Environmental Sustainability3 credits
Concentration: Environmental Geography
One of three concentration options (57 CH), including internship.
- GEO396 Environmental Systems3 credits
- GEO397 Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity3 credits
- GEO410 Research Seminar in Geography3 credits
- GEO422 Geographic Information Systems II3 credits
- GEO452 Climatology3 credits
- GEO470 GIS for Environment3 credits
- GEO495 Sustainable Development: Geographic Perspectives3 credits
- GEO496 Field Survey3 credits
- GEO497 Analysis of Geographic Data3 credits
- GEO482 Environmental Geography Internship6 credits
Supporting Courses: select 2 (6 CH) from BIOC100, BIOC250, GEBS220, ARAG304. Elective Courses: select 6 (18 CH) from the remaining listed courses.
- BIOC100 Basic Biology I3 credits
- BIOC250 Basic Ecology3 credits
- GEBS220 Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Business Ethics3 credits
- ARAG304 Range and Pasture Management3 credits
- GEO231 Economic Geography3 credits
- GEO335 Programming for GIS3 credits
- GEO341 Geography of Population3 credits
- GEO395 Environmental Policies3 credits
- GEO402 Land Use3 credits
- GEO413 Geomorphology3 credits
- GEO432 Geography of the UAE3 credits
- GEO450 GIS for Coastal Management3 credits
- GEO460 GIS for Petroleum3 credits
- GEO462 Current Environmental Issues3 credits
Concentration: Geoinformatics
One of three concentration options (57 CH), including internship.
- GEO330 Geodatabase Design3 credits
- GEO335 Programming for GIS3 credits
- GEO350 Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)3 credits
- GEO351 Computer Maps3 credits
- GEO410 Research Seminar in Geography3 credits
- GEO420 Cartography II3 credits
- GEO422 Geographic Information Systems II3 credits
- GEO451 Digital Imaging Analysis3 credits
- GEO480 GIS for Project Management3 credits
- GEO483 GIS Internship6 credits
Supporting Courses: select 2 (6 CH) from TOR101, TOR263, TOR350, HIS312. Elective Courses: select 6 (18 CH) from the remaining listed courses.
- TOR101 Introduction to Tourism3 credits
- TOR263 Tourism Resources in the UAE3 credits
- TOR350 Tourism and the Environment3 credits
- HIS312 Historical Preservation3 credits
- GEO341 Geography of Population3 credits
- GEO430 GIS for Transportation3 credits
- GEO432 Geography of the UAE3 credits
- GEO440 GIS for Urban & Regional Planning3 credits
- GEO450 GIS for Coastal Management3 credits
- GEO460 GIS for Petroleum3 credits
- GEO462 Current Environmental Issues3 credits
- GEO470 GIS for Environment3 credits
- GEO490 GIS for Planetary Surfaces3 credits
- GEO497 Analysis of Geographic Data3 credits
Concentration: Urban Planning
One of three concentration options (57 CH), including internship.
- GEO232 Urban Economics3 credits
- GEO307 Urban Geography3 credits
- GEO345 Urban Demography3 credits
- GEO372 Planning Theory and Practice3 credits
- GEO402 Land Use3 credits
- GEO418 Planning and Urban Design Lab3 credits
- GEO438 Regional and Urban Planning3 credits
- GEO440 GIS for Urban & Regional Planning3 credits
- GEO443 Geography of Transportation and Mobility3 credits
- GEO481 Urban Planning Internship6 credits
Supporting Courses: select 2 (6 CH) from TOR101, HIS381, SOC301, SOC327. Elective Courses: select 6 (18 CH) from the remaining listed courses.
- TOR101 Introduction to Tourism3 credits
- HIS381 UAE Architectural Heritage3 credits
- SOC301 Sociology of Sustainable Development & Globalization3 credits
- SOC327 Survey Research and Questionnaire Design3 credits
- GEO340 Introduction to Real Estate Development3 credits
- GEO341 Geography of Population3 credits
- GEO370 Transit Oriented Development (TOD)3 credits
- GEO430 GIS for Transportation3 credits
- GEO432 Geography of the UAE3 credits
- GEO450 GIS for Coastal Management3 credits
- GEO460 GIS for Petroleum3 credits
- GEO462 Current Environmental Issues3 credits
- GEO470 GIS for Environment3 credits
- GEO495 Sustainable Development: Geographic Perspectives3 credits
Free Electives
Free elective credits selected from University course offerings.
Entry Requirements
UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored; non-UAE curricula require Ministry of Education equivalency.
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in government, policy, international organisations, research and the social sector, or continue to postgraduate study.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Licensed and accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA); UAEU also holds US institutional accreditation from WSCUC.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Arts
Start Date
August (Fall intake)
Typical Offer
A UAE General Secondary Certificate (Grade 12) or accredited equivalent, typically 80% or above, with the subject grades required for the major.
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Social Sciences
Campus
Al Ain
Course Type
Bachelor of Arts
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 79,830/yr
Undergraduate applicants apply online (UAE nationals via the Ministry of Higher Education portal), sit the required tests, and submit attested certificates with Ministry of Education equivalency.