Geography with a Foundation Year, BSc (Hons)

Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

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100% of the environment was rated as world leading and internationally excellent

(REF 2021)

Key Course Details

UK
International

4 Year Full Time With a Foundation

UCAS Code: FL87
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): CDD-DDD
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2023	£ 9,000

4 Year Full Time With a Foundation

UCAS Code: FL87
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: CDD-DDD - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2023	£ 20,050

Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Course Overview

Our four-year BSc Geography with a foundation year degree is ideal for students who don't meet the necessary requirements to enter the degree at year one. You will be given the chance to develop an understanding which is essential to successfully completing the degree.

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, you can progress to either the BSc or BA Geography schemes.

Why Geography with a Foundation Year at Swansea?

90% of our research outputs have been recognised as world leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
100% of the environment was rated as world leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
Top 200 in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 [Shanghai Ranking]

Geography at Swansea University attracts students from across the world. Our department is based on our stunning Singleton Park campus overlooking Swansea Bay.

Your learning will be shaped by inspirational and internationally-renowned academics including Professor Tavi Murray, the first woman to be awarded a Polar Medal for outstanding service to polar research; and Professor Adrian Luckman, who earned global media coverage for climate change research into the Larsen C ice shelf collapse.

Our BA and BSc Geography degrees have Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) accreditation, and Swansea University also holds a TEF Gold award, UK Government recognition for excellent teaching in UK higher education.

Your Geography with a Foundation Year Experience

A flexibly structured degree path which can be customised with a mixture of human and physical geography modules. Students will have the opportunity to study abroad for a year or work in industry for a year, either locally, nationally or overseas.

At Swansea we place a strong emphasis on fieldwork. Our field-courses take students to areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Gower Peninsula, and to locations across the world such as Borneo, The Indian Himalayas and Mallorca.

* Travel overseas is conditional on all UK and Overseas travel guidelines. We will continue to be alert to changing conditions and government guidance with respect to Covid-19*

Geography with a Foundation Year Employment Opportunities

Our graduates have become Catchment Scientists, Ecologists, Geographical Data Processors, Surveyors, Housing Officers, Meteorologists, Journalists, Government Advisors and Lecturers.

Our students talk about field trips, friendships and more

Our students talk about their experiences and career prospects

Student profiles

"A second-year field trip to the Austrian Alps brought me close to a glacier for the first time. I remember staring upwards, overwhelmed by the stark, beautiful landscape."
Laurence Dyke, Lecturer and Expedition Guide (PhD Palaelaciology and Quaternary Science, BSc Geography)

Modules

Following early compulsory modules including the earth’s changing face, global environmental change and global shifts, you will be able to craft your own personalised path throughout the degree.

You will select from a wide range of optional modules, with the chance to mix human and physical geography modules, leading to a dissertation in your final year.

Year 0 (Level 3)

Entry Level 3 / Foundation Year

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Geography Tutorial and Skills Module	September-June	20	GE-005
Foundation Physical and Environmental Geography	September-January	20	GE-007
Techniques in Ecology: An Introduction	January-June	20	BIO013
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry	January-June	20	BIO016
An Introduction to Data Visualisation.	January-June	20	GE-006
Foundation Human Geography.	January-June	20	GE-008

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

GEG100/GEC100

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Sgiliau Daearyddol	September-January	20	GEC100
Geographical skills	September-January	20	GEG100

AND

GEG133/GEC133

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Peryglon Naturiol a Chymdeithas	January-June	20	GEC133
Natural Hazards and Society	January-June	20	GEG133

AND

GEC135/GEG135

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Cynaliadwyedd a'r Argyfwng Hinsawdd	September-January	20	GEC135
Sustainability and the Climate Emergency	September-January	20	GEG135

AND

GEC140/GEG140

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Prosiect a Dulliau Ymchwil	January-June	20	GEC140
Project and Methods	January-June	20	GEG140

AND

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Cities	September-January	20	GEG131
Introduction to Earth Systems	September-January	20	GEG132
Globalisation	January-June	20	GEG130
Introduction to Geology	January-June	20	GEL121

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory GIS

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Cannot select GEC276 with GEG276, GEC277 with GEG277 and GEC278 with GEC278 as they are the Welsh and English equivalent of the same module.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Systemau Gwybodaeth Ddaearyddol	January-June	20	GEC276
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	January-June	20	GEG276

AND

Compulsory Methods and Approaches

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Dulliau ac Ymagweddau Daearyddol	September-January	20	GEC277
Geographical Methods and Approaches	September-January	20	GEG277

AND

Compulsory Skills and Data Analysis

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Sgiliau Dadansoddi Data a Pharatoi Traethawd Hir	January-June	20	GEC278
Data Analysis and Dissertation Preparation Skills	January-June	20	GEG278

AND

Field Course

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : This module has been pre-allocated to your module selections after our application process in April. Therefore any selection made here will be overwritten by the Geography Department

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Exploring Geographical Themes in Swansea and south Wales	September-June	20	GEG252L

AND

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC269 is taught through the medium of welsh

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Professional Development and Career Planning	Academic Year	0	GE-200
Cyfathrebu Gwyddoniaeth	September-January	10	GEC269
Glacial Environments	September-January	10	GEG211
Regional Economic Development	September-January	10	GEG221
Marginal Cultural Geographies	September-January	10	GEG229
Social Geographies	September-January	10	GEG230
Earth from Space: Monitoring Global Environmental Change	September-January	10	GEG236
Geographies of Climate Action and Activism	September-January	10	GEG273
Sustainable Land Management	September-January	10	GEG283
Earth history	September-January	10	GEL203
Geological Record of Past Environments	January-June	10	GEL204

AND

Geography optional

Choose Minimum Of 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Iaith, Gofod a Chymdeithas	January-June	10	GEC275
Language, Space and Society	January-June	10	GEG275

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

DSG GEG332/GEC332

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Cefnogaeth Traethawd Hir	September-June	10	GEC332
Dissertation Support: Geography	September-June	10	GEG332

AND

Dissertation GEG331/GEC331

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Traethawd Estynedig Daearyddiaeth	September-June	30	GEC331
Dissertation Report: Geography	September-June	30	GEG331

AND

Optional Modules

Choose Maximum Of 80 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Violent Geographies	September-January	20	GEG306
Animating Migration Theory	September-January	20	GEG329
Wildfires	September-January	20	GEG337
The Cryosphere in a Changing Climate	September-January	20	GEG344
Contemporary Rural Britain	January-June	20	GEG341
World Cities	January-June	20	GEG352
Measuring Climate Change	January-June	20	GEG358

AND

Choose Maximum Of 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEB301 applications for this module will be during Teaching Block 2 in your 2nd year. If successful your allocation of this module will be added by the administrative team directly onto your profile. You can only select two modules out of GEB300/GEB301/GEC333/GEG333 and MN-3575. Please note GEC333 is the welsh version of GEG333, and MN-3576 is the welsh version of MN-3575.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Ffiniau Ymchwil Daearyddol	September-January	20	GEC333
Gwaith Maes Gwlad yr Ia	January-June	20	GEB300
Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)	January-June	20	GEB301
Enterprise and Creativity: Entrepreneurship in Practice	January-June	20	MN-3575
Menter a Chreadigrwydd: Mentergarwch mewn Ymarfer (Enterprise and Creativity: Entrepreneurship in Practice)	January-June	20	MN-3576

Entry Requirements

A levels: grades CDD-DDD.

BTEC: MMM

Access to HE (Science or Humanities):27 Merits to include Merit in all Geography modules.

Welsh Baccalaureate: Requirements are as for A levels where you can substitute the same non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Core Grade.

IB: 28 or above to include 4 in HL or 5 in SL English Language.

IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English test

All applications will be considered on an individual basis, and we will look at the whole application when deciding whether to make an offer of a place, including: the balance, nature and quality of A-level, AS and GCSE subjects (or equivalent); personal statement and referee’s comments.

General Studies and Key Skills qualifications are normally excluded from our offers.

International/EU Students

Please visit The College website for course information and entry requirements. If you don’t meet the entry requirements of our three-year undergraduate courses, you can join our Foundation or International Year One programmes at The College which will prepare you for your chosen Science degree path at Swansea University.

Click here to apply

How You're Taught

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching.

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.

This course offers some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

Welsh Provision

Some provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this course through the medium of Welsh but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

Professional Body Accreditation

Our programmes have been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Meet Your Lecturers

You will be taught by world-class lecturers who are all active researchers. Their research activities in areas such as climate change, glaciology, poverty alleviation through control of disease and pollution risks from wildfire ash, help to change the world for the better.

Dr Joanne Maddern, Programme Director
Dr Rhian Meara, Admissions Tutor

See all of the Geography staff

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2022	£ 9,000	£ 19,100
September 2023	£ 9,000	£ 20,050

Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government.

Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Our degree schemes in Geography are eligible for the Ysgoloriaeth Cymhelliant scholarships, as we offer 40 credits or more through Welsh at all levels. Our BSc Geography scheme, with 80 credits available at all levels, is also normally eligible for the Prif Ysgoloriaeth scholarship. We also welcome students who may wish to study just one or two specific modules through the medium of Welsh.

More information on scholarships

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Level 2 Single Honours:

Students choose from a range of overseas fieldcourses, all of which are subsidised but require an additional payment, which varies according to destination, e.g. Austria or Berlin, approximately £250; Vancouver or New York, approximately £900.

Level 2 Joint Honours:

Students may attend an international fieldcourse as space allows but pay the full cost of the fieldcourse (e.g. currently £450 for Mallorca).
Non-Physical Earth Science students can select GEL204 which includes a Pembrokeshire field weekend at a cost of £65 (for non-PES students).

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Geography is a popular subject area because it provides key insights and understanding of the modern world. This understanding can be broadly applied in the world of work, creating a diverse range of employment opportunities for geography graduates.

These are a small number of their recent destinations.

Multi Site Supervisor (Phase Eight)
Data Analyst (PHS Group)
Account Manager Support (Handelsbanken)
Geographical Data Processor (Western Power Distribution)
Catchment Scientist (Welsh Water)
Ecologist (Natural England)

Swansea University helps you to prepare for your future career by helping you to find work placements and relevant part-time jobs, offering year in industry options. In addition, our Geography degree programmes have a bespoke work experience module offered in Year 3 where students can undertake a four-week placement and gain experience as a professional geographer.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Our lecturers operate an ‘open door’ policy so you can chat with them about any concerns you may be having. These do not have to be just course related; our academic staff are there to help you with anything at all during your time in Swansea.

Each course has a student rep. They are there to make sure that every student voice is heard. Their role is to listen and feedback on your opinions, attend regular meetings and make sure that the people who can make changes listen to the people who really matter - you!

We offer both academic mentoring and peer mentoring. All students on our undergraduate courses are assigned an Academic Mentor, who will offer you not only Academic Guidance, but advice on finding and accessing help with personal issues. Our Peer mentoring scheme is in place to help new students settle into university life here at Swansea. You will get a chance to talk to your mentor who can tell you about their experiences as a student and also chat about student life. The peer mentoring scheme is a great way to meet students and widen your friendship circle while at Swansea.

You can also get help with personal issues from our wide range of student support such as CampusLife, Inclusive Student Support Services and The Centre for Academic Success.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all colleges. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.