Human Geography, BA (Hons)

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Course Overview

Receive an education that is at the forefront of addressing key social, cultural and environmental challenges and be empowered to make a significant difference in the world with BA Human Geography at Swansea University.

Our programme will provide you with a broad understanding of geography, including the geographical relationships between people, societies, cultures, and the environment. You will explore topics such as cultural, economic and political geography, urban and rural geographies, tourism, world cities, migration and the effect of climate change on communities.

BA Human Geography at Swansea combines strong theoretical foundations with meaningful real-world experience. You will learn across a variety of settings, from classroom and laboratory work to hands-on field study.

At Swansea University, you can design your BA Human Geography experience to suit your interests. As you progress through our course, you will discover opportunities to specialise in social or environmental science, prepare for future careers and work towards addressing global challenges, spanning war and inequality to wildfires and plastic pollution.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BA.

Why Human Geography at Swansea?

You will be based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Geography at Swansea is ranked:

  • 13th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2026)
  • 4th in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2026)
  • Top 20 in the UK for Geography & Environmental Sciences (Guardian University Guide 2026)

Your Human Geography Experience

Our course focuses on understanding all aspects of the planet and beyond. You will explore the relationship between people, societies, cultures, economies and the environment. With this expansive understanding, you will work to address contemporary global challenges, with a strong connection to the UN Sustainability Goals and the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act.

You will experience fieldwork that is integral to your understanding and will allow you to apply theory to action. Studying BA Human Geography at Swansea means you can take advantage of our spectacular location, and can experience field trips to tourist points of interest, such as Swansea City Centre and the historical Haford Morfa Copperworks site, the Gower Peninsula, Y Bannau Brycheiniog and Pembrokeshire. As you progress through your studies, you can also participate in residential fieldwork internationally, including Germany, Iceland and Canada.

Our BA Human Geography provides an education that offers subject specific knowledge and skills training that is relevant to a range of geographical employment opportunities, including Geographical Information Systems training with an emphasis on green energy technologies. You will also develop essential skills in project development, communication and teamwork, and build experience in working in varied environments through your field work.

You will experience a variety of assessment methods, from traditional essays and examinations to real-world applicable assessments, such as stakeholder analyses, podcasts, and creative assessments. You will be guided through your studies by a supportive and passionate academic team whose experience and knowledge will enrich your student experience.

This programme includes opportunities to undertake a Year Abroad, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Human Geography Employment Opportunities

Employability is at the heart of our curriculum. Alongside the knowledge and skill development that is embedded throughout our course, you can attend annual employers’ fairs, hosted by the Faculty of Science and Engineering, where you can meet geography representatives and discover future career opportunities within the field.

Further employability and entrepreneurship opportunities are incorporated throughout the programme in the form of fieldtrip visits to partner organisations including the Grand Theatre, the Glynn Vivian, West Glamorgan Archive Service, WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, the Carbon Community, among others. 

Graduates of BA Human Geography at Swansea will leave with the knowledge and skills essential to succeeding across a range of diverse career paths. Your future role could lie in any of the following:

  • Environmental Sector – including environmental agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), sustainability companies, environmental consultancies
  • Education – teaching roles, science communicators and educators
  • Government and Public Sector – roles related to planning, analysis and policy development, local authorities and environmental agencies
  • Business and Consultancy – researchers, data analysts, project managers
  • Research and Analysis – including careers in research, working with think tanks, universities, private research firms, data analyses and report writing.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Human Geography, BA (Hons)

Human Geography with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

Human Geography with a Year in Industry, BA (Hons)