Land Economy

Studying Land Economy at Cambridge

UCAS Code: KL41
How many are admitted to Cambridge every year: 71
Typical offer: A*AA at A Level or 41-42 points in IB with 776 at Higher Level
Essential subjects: None
Useful subjects: Economics, Mathematics, and any essay-based subjects

A Land Economy undergraduate degree provides an opportunity to learn about a range of societal and environmental issues through an interdisciplinary lens. The course incorporates elements of law, planning and economics, as well as other disciplines, and enables students to identify how a range of factors shape the built and natural environments.

Students of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge will attend lectures as well as small group supervisions across each of their papers, which provide an opportunity to discuss key topics in depth. The course is taught by lecturers and supervisors whose specialisms lie across the breadth of interdisciplinary subjects covered in the degree course, and whose research contributes to cutting-edge global debates.

Land Economy graduates pursue a wide range of careers following the completion of their degree, including careers in law, economics, business, finance, the civil service, and research.

What can I do with a degree in Land Economy?

Graduates in Land Economy go into a range of sectors upon successful completion of their studies. The most popular sectors are banking and finance, property and real estate, and consultancy. The interdisciplinary nature of the course means that graduates are able to pursue many different specialisms across the private and public sectors, and leave Cambridge with an excellent set of skills which are valued by employers. Many students also progress to further study.

For more information, please visit the University Careers Service website.

What we look for

We would be delighted to hear from prospective students who have a keen interest in contemporary issues in the built and natural environment, and who would like to develop an in-depth understanding of the range of topics relevant to the Land Economy Tripos. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the course, prospective students should be interested in learning about various disciplines, including planning, economics, and law.

The Land Economy website provides numerous resources for prospective students who would like to learn more about the department’s areas of focus.

Studying Land Economy at St Edmund’s College

Land Economy lectures are organised within the department, with St Edmund’s students learning alongside their peers from other Cambridge colleges. The department also organises several small-group supervisions for students each term. St Edmund’s Land Economy students will meet with their Director of Studies twice per term to discuss their studies and reflect upon their progress in a supportive environment. St Edmund’s has a growing number of Land Economy students, and new students will join a welcoming community for their studies.

How to Apply

Applications for all courses are made through UCAS. You must apply by 15 October 2025 to be considered for entry in October 2026.

We accept applications for Land Economy in both the October application round and the January application round. The January application round is specifically for candidates applying for certain subjects at the three mature Colleges at Cambridge (Hughes Hall, Wolfson, and St Edmund’s). The January round is particularly suited to those applicants taking one-year courses who may not have covered enough of the course content to apply in October, but are able to make a competitive application by January. The deadline for applications is 14 January 2026 for 2026 entry.

Entry requirements

Assessment

Written work

Interviews

Applicants who are invited to interview will typically attend an interview with two interviewers, one of whom will likely be the Director of Studies in Land Economy at St Edmund’s. During the interview, candidates will be asked a range of questions on topics relevant to Land Economy and will be expected to demonstrate an ability to think critically as well as a strong interest in the subject. Questions might be based on contemporary trends or events which are salient for Land Economy, or broader themes which are relevant to the subject.

Your performance at interview will not be considered in isolation, but will be considered holistically alongside all other aspects of your application.

We inform all interviewed October round applicants of the outcome of their application in late January. Those interviewed following an application to the January round will receive our decision by the end of April.

Deferred applicants

Affiliated students

If you have already completed or are in the process of completing a first undergraduate degree, you can apply for this course as an affiliated student. This means that you will complete the course in two years instead of the standard three. (Please note that this does not mean that you can go directly into the second year of the course.)

To apply as an affiliate student, you need to have achieved or be on track to achieve a 2.1 or higher in your first undergraduate degree. International equivalents can be found on the University website.

What is a typical Term’s work?

As they progress through their degree, Land Economy undergraduates are able to choose papers which match their interests. For the first year, all Land Economy students take the same four papers, which provide an excellent basis for further learning in subsequent years. These four papers are focused on the key disciplines in the Land Economy course. Students will learn about economics, law, and a range of quantitative and legal methods, and will be introduced to interdisciplinary approaches to understanding development and sustainability. Information on these modules is available on the Land Economy website.
In a typical term in the first year, students will attend weekly lectures for each of their papers, as well as several small group supervisions for each paper. Students will often be given an assignment to complete in advance of their supervisions. In addition to attending these sessions, undergraduates are expected to read extensively for their degree, and will be provided with reading lists of suggested literature for their course.