Land Economy

Land Economy addresses some of humanity’s most pressing issues, through the academic and applied study of Law and Economics to the natural and built environments. A fascinating degree covering technical, statistical, policy and analytical approaches, it teaches you how to use land and resources to achieve the best outcomes for society and the environment.

Overview

Ucas code

KL41

Campus code

X

Typical offers made per year

5

Typical Undergraduate cohort

12

Minimum offer level

A Levels: A*AA

IB: 42 points, with 776 at Higher Level.

Other qualifications: check what other international qualifications are accepted at Cambridge

STEP (SIXTH TERM EXAMINATION PAPER)

COURSE DURATION

BA (Hons) 3 years full-time

Essential subjects

None

Desirable subjects

Common subjects taken by successful Land Economy applicants include: Economics and Mathematics, as well as a Science, History, Geography and Further Mathematics.

ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT

Admissions Assessment: None

Submitted Work: None

Why Choose St John's for Land Economy?

Our Fellow and Director of Studies in Land Economy, Professor Laura Diaz Anadon, is globally recognised for her work on public and private innovation in the climate and energy space, and the public policy environment to support this.

With a cohort of up to 12 Land Economy undergraduates in St John’s, together with several MPhil and other postgraduate students, there’s a ready-made community of interest sharing ideas, experience and learning in the College.

Our large Fellowship means that Land Economists here can draw upon an unparalleled network of expertise in many of the cognate disciplines in the Tripos, especially Economics, Law and Geography.

Land Economists join with Geographers in the Purchas Society, a student-run society that organises talks, socials and events throughout the year.

At St John's, we have a dedicated bursarial award available to support the study expenses of an undergraduate Land Economist (subject to criteria).

Watch this video to find out more about the Land Economy course at Cambridge.

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Our academics

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Professor Laura Díaz Anadón

Fellow

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Dr Nick Friedman

Fellow

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Professor Sarah Hall

Fellow

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Dr Gabriella Santangelo

Fellow

Course structure and information

Land Economists develop a uniquely deep understanding of land and property, from its legal framework, urban and regional planning and the economics of real estate to development, environmental economics and real estate finance. This is a rigorously academic degree with the added advantage of recognition by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and part-exemption from the requirements of the Law Society.

Find out more about the course structure and what to expect when studying at St John's College.

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Supporting your studies

Academic skills support

All St John's students have access to academic skills support throughout their studies. Academic skills workshops are offered throughout the academic year, and focus on a variety of topics including general study tips, essay-writing skills and revision strategies.

Some subjects hold compulsory academic skills workshops during the Michaelmas term. If you require individual support you can contact one of our Academic Skills Advisers, who each have a range of specialities, including essay writing tips, numeracy, presentation skills, prioritisation and revision skills. We have specialists in Arts and Humanities and in STEM, and in particular in Engineering.

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Every year, applications from students of St John's are invited to apply for Travel Exhibitions and Grants, for the promotion of travel.

Travel Grants

There are currently more than 20 travel grants available to students of St John's, made possible by generous donor funding. These funds are available to help students extend and develop their subject knowledge by, for example, travelling to archaeological sites abroad, further international understanding, undertake adventurous travel and much more.

Exchange Programmes

St John's is proud to collaborate with a number of great institutions to provide exciting cultural and academic exchanges. Our current exchange partners include Caltech Scholars exchange, Collegio Ghislieri di Pavia University Exchange, Heidelberg University Exchange, Nagoya University Exchange Scheme and NUS Research Exchange Programme.

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meet our students

St John’s is the best College in terms of providing all-round personal support – academic, financial, and pastoral. The Master studied Land Economy when she was at St John’s, so we know the sky is the limit

Blessings, Land Economy, undergraduate

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St John’s is the best College in terms of providing all-round personal support – academic, financial, and pastoral. The Master studied Land Economy when she was at St John’s, so we know the sky is the limit

Blessings, Land Economy, undergraduate

Less

Land Economy aligns with my interest in how resources are used in developing countries. The course has a policy focus, it’s ‘how do we apply this?’ rather than just theory. At St John’s we have a small cohort but we’re really close and help each other, and our Director of Studies is amazing and offers extra supervisions if we need them.

We share The Purchas Society with St John’s geographers, we do joint social events together. I want to go travelling in Africa after my degree and come back to St John’s to do a Master’s - I’ve experienced the best so I couldn’t go anywhere else

Applying

We are looking for students who stand out as people with the potential, ability and motivation to succeed in this multidisciplinary subject. Enthusiasm and an enquiring mind count for a lot – an innate interest in the subject and intellectual curiosity are good indicators of real academic potential.

We select the brightest and most committed students, so work hard to secure excellent examination results. Continue to perform very well in school/college in your penultimate and final years so that your teachers are able to confirm that you are one of their very best students when writing your UCAS reference.

A strong application will include evidence of how you’ve developed your interest in aspects of land, property and environment. This could be through relevant reading and listening to podcasts, following news stories that focus on the role property plays in the pressing issues of our time, and perhaps attending a local court to see the law in action.

If you are invited to interview, you’ll have one or two interviews with Land Economy Fellows and academics, altogether lasting about 50 minutes.

At the interview, we are looking for students who can clearly express their ideas and demonstrate an aptitude for solving problems. We don’t expect you to have any expertise in the special dimensions of Land Economy. We’ll focus on your interests across the subject, with the conversation ranging quite widely and offering you plenty of opportunity to show us your strengths in analysis and critical thinking.

The questions are typically broad; a good example would be “Discuss the factors that may affect the value of homes in cities from the centre outwards. How might a growing uptake of working from home affect these values?” We’re interested in how you see the world from various practical angles, seeing the interconnections that are so important in finding and delivering the best outcomes for society and the environment.

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Life after St John's

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Our societies

Purchas Society

St John’s Geography and Land Economy students are brought together as a community through The Purchas Society, named after the medieval English cleric and alumnus who published reports by travellers to foreign countries.

The Rev’d Samuel Purchas famously attempted to summarise the nature of the entire globe in 20 volumes without ever straying from his armchair. His works can be found in the College Library.

Our society establishes a creative and educational ecosystem for the College’s Geography and Land Economy students. We hold talks, competition initiatives and collaborative events, along with a termly Formal Hall.

Find out more Visit society's website

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Notable alumni

HRH The Prince of Wales

2014

Royal family

Nobel Laureate

Royal Medal winner

Academy Award winner

Pulitzer Prize winner

Olympic Medal winner

Poet Laureate

Protecting the natural environment for future generations is one of Prince William's key priorities. He launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020 – a global environmental platform to discover and celebrate groundbreaking solutions to repair the planet. He founded United For Wildlife to prevent traffickers transporting or profiting from illegal wildlife products. He also focuses on social welfare, advocating for the homeless and promoting mental health charities and the importance of supporting the Armed Forces.

Rob Andrew

1982

Rugby player

Nobel Laureate

Royal Medal winner

Academy Award winner

Pulitzer Prize winner

Olympic Medal winner

Poet Laureate

While studying at St John's, Andrew earned Blues for rugby and cricket and followed this by playing for Nottingham, London Wasps and Newcastle Falcons. He played in three Rugby World Cups and was capped for England 71 times, also receiving five caps for the British and Irish Lions. At the end of his playing career, Andrews became the director of Newcastle Falcons, and subsequently the director of elite rugby at the RFU. He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017.