What if I do not have an undergraduate geography degree?
If you do not have a undergraduate geography degree, you may still be able to apply if your degree is in a related discipline with 60% geographical content. Where there is doubt about whether your undergraduate degree counts as geographical, you should contact the Professional Officer attaching a copy of your CV, including all module titles, descriptions and weighting for your degree. If you have a non-geographical degree but a geographical Masters or PhD you may be able to apply, depending on experience.
Can a Masters course or PhD count towards the six years experience needed?
Technically yes. However, the assessors look to see that you have applied geographical knowledge, skills and understanding in the workplace, so if you have not had enough time to do this, you may benefit from gaining further experience. If you are currently studying full-time for a PhD that is not integral to continuing your previous career, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Professional Officer before preparing an application.
How do I become a Fellow of the Society?
You need to be nominated by a current Fellow of the Society, who should sign the relevant part of the application form. If you do not know any Fellows, state this on your application form (in the space provided) and we will provide support with this step.
When can I apply and how long will it take?
Applications can be submitted all year round at any time. Initial decisions are usually reached in 12 weeks but this varies. For guidance, accepted applications are formally approved at meetings of the Society's Council, which normally take place every April, June and December, and include a virtual meeting in September. Read more about the CGeog application process (PDF).
How do I submit my application documents?
Please submit all applications by email. If you are not able to scan your signed application form or are paying by cheque then this form can be accepted by post. Please send the application form only to the Professional Officer, RHED, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, SW7 2AR. A digital copy of the application form should be included in your emailed application.
How much does it cost?
The Chartered Geographer application fee is £50 (non-refundable). The annual fee is £20 (second and subsequent years only). Also, if you not already a Fellow when you apply, you will have to pay the Fellowship subscription fee, but the £30 joining fee is waived.
What should I include in my professional self-evaluation?
The professional self-evaluation (PSE) is the most important part of your application and the quality of it will be the deciding factor for the assessors. You may want to follow the structure outlined on the professional self-evaluation page so the assessment panel can clearly identify the relevant content.
The PSE should be very different from your CV. It should provide highlights and more information about impact, whilst cross-referring to your CV and CPD record. Your CV and CPD record are factual records of your career progression and professional development.
What needs to be included in the extended Curriculum Vitae (CV)?
The CV should contain everything a normal CV would but it is not constrained in terms of length. This should include all dates of education, start and end dates and responsibilities for roles and projects when employed - to clearly demonstrate your career progression and progression of responsibilities.
The CV should be tailored specifically for an application for CGeog, outlining the geographical aspects of all education and relevant positions. The following information should be included to do this: details about education and qualifications (including thesis titles, names of course providers); employment details; relevant memberships; relevant experience; projects worked on; any publication details and continuing professional development (CPD) (although a separate CPD log is preferable - a template is provided in CPD).
Details of degree content should be included if your degree is not in geography.
What extra information can I include?
You may like to include some (small) examples of your work, which you feel strengthens your application and is relevant. For example; articles, publications or maps. These should be submitted electronically. Please consider the length of the supporting documents you provide, being respectful of the time the assessors have to review documents.
You should consider whether it is appropriate to provide certain supporting documents - submitting commercially produced reports for private clients may constitute a breach of privacy and will not be assessed, unless you can provide evidence that the client has given permission for these to be included.
Do I need to send in full copies of publications?
Small samples of publications or details to trace articles will be enough.
Who should write my references?
You will need two references. Ideally these should be from a current or previous line manager, university supervisor or colleague who can write in detail about your geographical knowledge, skills and understanding. Referees do not need to be Chartered Geographers or Fellows of the Society. They should be shown your application documents prior to writing the reference so they can verify the information in your application.
References must be completely independent: referees should respond to the questions in their own words. If any discrepancies are noted referees may be contacted again for further information. If referees identify other aspects of your work which have not been mentioned in your application, they should let you know so that you can expand on these in the appropriate document(s).
References should be requested from one referee based at your current place of work and the other based at a separate organisation (such as a previous employer), in order to provide information about a range of your geographical work. It is understood that this may not be possible for all applicants.
How should references be submitted?
References should be submitted in advance of your application by the referees themselves, via email, to the Professional Officer.
Any other questions? Get in touch