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  1. Home
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  5. Geography
  6. Physical Earth Science, BSc (Hons)

Physical Earth Science, BSc (Hons)

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Investigate the physical processes that shape our planet.

Key Course Details

  • UK/EU
  • International
3 Years Full Time
    • UCAS Code FF86
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date September 2018
    • Typical Offer (view equivalents) AAB-BBB
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 9,000
4 Years Full Time With a Year In Industry
    • UCAS Code F769
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date September 2018
    • Typical Offer (view equivalents) AAB-BBB
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 9,000
3 Years Full Time
    • UCAS Code FF86
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date September 2018
    • Typical Offer AAB-BBB - More Information
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 18,500
4 Years Full Time With a Year In Industry
    • UCAS Code F769
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date September 2018
    • Typical Offer AAB-BBB - More Information
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 18,500
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Course Overview

Geography is vital in our globally interconnected world. It helps us understand human-environment relationships, and how they vary across time and space. Geography allows us to discover, record and shape the places we inhabit today and in the future”.

This three-year BSc degree is suitable if you know your main interest lies in the field of Physical Earth Science.

We combine physical geography with aspects of geology, allowing you to investigate processes that have shaped the earth for hundreds of millions of years.

You will study themes including Understanding and Living with Natural Hazards, Glacial Environments and Processes, and Reconstructing Quaternary Environmental Change.


At Swansea, there is a strong emphasis on fieldwork. Our location offers easy access to environments as varied as the Gower Peninsula, Brecon Beacons, rural west Wales and the urban industrial landscapes across south Wales.

You will have the opportunity to undertake overseas field courses in places such as Malaysian Borneo, Mallorca, Austria and Vancouver.

If you don’t have the necessary entry requirements to enter on to the first year of a degree, you may be offered a place on a degree course with an integrated foundation year.

Why Physical Earth Science at Swansea?

Swansea University has a strong reputation for Physical Earth Science and attracts students from across the world.

Geology at Swansea is ranked first in the UK for student satisfaction with 100% [National Student Survey 2018].

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus overlooking Swansea Bay, Geography at Swansea is ranked:

  • consistently highly for student satisfaction, with Human Geography 7th in the UK with 95%, and Physical Geography has 94% [National Student Survey 2018]
  • In the UK top ten for research impact [Research Excellence Framework 2014] which informs our teaching
  • 20th in the UK for research quality [Times & Sunday Times University Guide 2018]

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.

Swansea University holds a TEF Gold award, UK Government’s recognition for excellent teaching in UK higher education.

Your Physical Earth Science Experience

A flexibly structured degree path means you have the opportunity to study abroad for a year or work in industry for a year, either locally, nationally or overseas.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and discussion groups, supported by practical classes and field courses.

Field courses might take you from areas of outstanding natural beauty on our doorstep in the Gower Peninsula, to locations across the world such as Austria, Borneo, Mallorca, Colorado and Sikkim in the Indian Himalayas.

Our facilities include a £4.2 million suite of state-of-the-art science laboratories and a high-performance computer laboratory for processing and interpreting satellite earth observation and GIS data.

You may also find yourself working with our stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer, our climatic test chamber, our mineral magnetic characterisation equipment, or our automatic organic carbon analyser.

Physical Earth Science Employment Opportunities

Our Geography degrees at Swansea University are designed so that you have the skills that today's employers are looking for. Geography graduates have a broad range of career options within sectors which include environmental management, aid and development agencies, conservation and regional and resource planning.

Our degrees will provide you with an understanding of the human world, the natural environment, and interactions between them and equip you with the practical, numerical and computational skills that are valued by many employers.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to develop your essential transferable skills, such as team working, communication, presentation, problem solving, and analytical skills.

Geography is a popular subject because it provides a critical 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.

We offer CV workshop and you will have access to our Employment Zone, which advertises work placements, part time vacancies and graduate jobs. We have dedicated staff who will always be on hand to provide employability support, throughout your studies.

We take Employability seriously and you will leave Swansea University with much more than a degree, gaining invaluable life skills and experiences on your journey.

Find out about our Swansea Employability Academy

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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, leading to a dissertation report in your final year.

BSc 3 Year Full-time

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
GEG101Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Earth in Action
GEG102Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Earth's Changing Face
GEG103Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Global environmental change: The human impact
GEL122Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Earth science in the field
Optional Modules
GEG100/GEC100 

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC100Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Sgiliau Daearyddol
GEG100Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Geographical skills
AND
GEG106/GEC106 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC106Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Cynaladwyedd mewn byd bregus
GEG106Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Sustainability in a fragile world
AND
GEG108P/GEC109 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC109Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Methodoleg Maes Amgylcheddol
GEG108PSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Geographical Methods: Field Project Practicals & Tutorials (for Physical Geography Students)
AND
GEG111/GEC111 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC111Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Sgiliau Ysgrifenedig Daearyddol a Chynllunio Datblygiad Personol
GEG111Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Geographical Writing Skills and Personal Development Planning
AND
GEL121/GEC121 

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC121Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Cyflwyniad i'r Ddaear: Trosolwg daearegol
GEL121Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Introducing Planet Earth: an overview of geology

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
GEL203Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Earth history
GEL204Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Geological Record of Past Environments
Optional Modules
GEC259 / GEG259 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC259Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Dadansoddi Data
GEG259Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Data Analysis
AND
GEC268 / GEG268 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC268Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Paratoadau Traethawd Hir
GEG268Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Dissertation Preparation
AND
GEG252 

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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEG252ASemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Fieldwork skills: Austria
GEG252MSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Fieldwork skills: Mallorca
GEG252MBSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Field Work Skills: Malaysian, Borneo
GEG252VSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Fieldwork skills: Vancouver
AND
GEG264A/GEG264B 

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEG264ASemester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Environmental Research Methods A
GEG264BSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Environmental Research Methods B
AND
GEC266 / GEG266 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC266Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Ymdrin â Daearyddiaeth Ffisegol
GEG266Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Approaches to Physical Geography
AND
BSc Physical Earth Sciences  

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Cannot select GEC206 with GEG206 as they are the Welsh and English of the of the same module.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC206Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Y Byd Peryglus
GEC250Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Geomorffoleg Afonol
GEG202Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Rivers
GEG206Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Dangerous Earth: Understanding and Living with Natural Hazards
GEG208Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GEG219Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Reconstructing Quaternary Environmental Change
GEG236Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10The Earth from Space: Monitoring Global Environmental Change
GEG237Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Global Vegetation Patterns and Dynamics
GEG269Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Environmental Soil Science
GEG270Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Urban Modelling

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules
GEG331 / GEC331 

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC331Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)30Traethawd Estynedig DaearyddiaethYou have not taken the required Pre Requisite modules for this selection
GEG331Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)30Dissertation Report: Geography
AND
GEG332 / GEC332 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC332Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Cefnogaeth Traethawd Hir
GEG332Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Dissertation Support: Geography
AND
GEC333  

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEC333Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Ffiniau Ymchwil Daearyddol
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years
OR
GEG333  

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEG333Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Research Frontiers
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years
OR
GEC334 

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEC334Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Lleoliad Gwaith
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years
OR
GEG334 

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEG334Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Work Placement
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years

BSc 4 Year Full-time (with a year in Industry)

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
GEG101Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Earth in Action
GEG102Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Earth's Changing Face
GEG103Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Global environmental change: The human impact
GEL122Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Earth science in the field
Optional Modules
GEG100/GEC100 

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC100Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Sgiliau Daearyddol
GEG100Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Geographical skills
AND
GEG106/GEC106 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC106Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Cynaladwyedd mewn byd bregus
GEG106Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Sustainability in a fragile world
AND
GEG108P/GEC109 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC109Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Methodoleg Maes Amgylcheddol
GEG108PSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Geographical Methods: Field Project Practicals & Tutorials (for Physical Geography Students)
AND
GEG111/GEC111 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC111Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Sgiliau Ysgrifenedig Daearyddol a Chynllunio Datblygiad Personol
GEG111Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Geographical Writing Skills and Personal Development Planning
AND
GEL121/GEC121 

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC121Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Cyflwyniad i'r Ddaear: Trosolwg daearegol
GEL121Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Introducing Planet Earth: an overview of geology

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
GEL203Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Earth history
GEL204Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Geological Record of Past Environments
Optional Modules
GEC259 / GEG259 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC259Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Dadansoddi Data
GEG259Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Data Analysis
AND
GEC268 / GEG268 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC268Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Paratoadau Traethawd Hir
GEG268Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Dissertation Preparation
AND
GEG252 

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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEG252ASemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Fieldwork skills: Austria
GEG252MSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Fieldwork skills: Mallorca
GEG252MBSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Field Work Skills: Malaysian, Borneo
GEG252VSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Fieldwork skills: Vancouver
AND
GEG264A/GEG264B 

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEG264ASemester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Environmental Research Methods A
GEG264BSemester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Environmental Research Methods B
AND
GEC266 / GEG266 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC266Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Ymdrin â Daearyddiaeth Ffisegol
GEG266Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Approaches to Physical Geography
AND
BSc Physical Earth Sciences  

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Cannot select GEC206 with GEG260 as they are the Welsh and English equivalent of the same module.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC206Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Y Byd Peryglus
GEC250Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Geomorffoleg Afonol
GEG202Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Rivers
GEG206Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Dangerous Earth: Understanding and Living with Natural Hazards
GEG208Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GEG219Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Reconstructing Quaternary Environmental Change
GEG236Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10The Earth from Space: Monitoring Global Environmental Change
GEG237Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Global Vegetation Patterns and Dynamics
GEG269Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Environmental Soil Science
GEG270Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)10Urban Modelling

Year 3 (Level 5 YR OUT)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate Sandwich Year
Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
GE-E00Academic Year120Geography Industrial Placement Year

Year 4 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules
GEG331 / GEC331 

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC331Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)30Traethawd Estynedig DaearyddiaethYou have not taken the required Pre Requisite modules for this selection
GEG331Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)30Dissertation Report: Geography
AND
GEG332 / GEC332 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEC332Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)10Cefnogaeth Traethawd Hir
GEG332Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)10Dissertation Support: Geography
AND
GEC333  

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEC333Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Ffiniau Ymchwil Daearyddol
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years
OR
GEG333 

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEG333Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Geographical Research Frontiers
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years
OR
GEC334 

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEC334Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)20Lleoliad Gwaith
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years
OR
GEG334 

Choose Exactly 80 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 Teaching Administration Office directly onto your profile.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
GEB301Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
GEG334Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Work Placement
GEG338Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Spatial modelling and monitoring of plant species distribution and functional traits
GEG345Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
GEG348Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics
GEG354Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Environmental Modelling
GEG358Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Climate of the last 1000 years

Entry Requirements

A levels: grades AAB-BBB or equivalent  to include Geography or a related subject (for example, Sociology or World Development; Geology or Environmental Science; or an additional Science subject)

BTEC: DDD-DDM plus A level  grade B in Geography or a related subject

Scottish Highers: ABBBC to include Grade B in Geography (or a related subject)

Access to HE (Science or Humanities): Pass with Distinction (27-24 Dist to include 3 in Geography or an appropriate subject, plus 15 Merits)

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: 34-32 to include 5 in Higher Level Geography

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.

How You're Taught

  • You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and coursework throughout the year.
  • You will be assessed through a combination of unseen written examinations, set assignments, presentations and a dissertation.

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

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study this subject through the medium of Welsh and our dedicated academy, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

  • An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
  • The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
  • Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
  • Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
  • 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 tutor.
  • 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.

To see further details about the level of provision delivered in Welsh on this particular degree scheme, please see the Welsh-language course page for further information.

Since 2011, there has been a 40% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our *TEF data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers in regards to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

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 Pyrs Gruffudd Admissions Tutor
  • Dr Rhian Meara Admissions Tutor

See all of the Geography staff

Tuition Fees

Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2019/20 are as follows:

UK/EU International
BSc (Hons) Full Time £ 9,000 £ 18,500
BSc (Hons) Full Time With a Year In Industry £ 9,000 £ 18,500

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

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

During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, year abroad or placement year) a lower fee will apply. For more information visit our tuition fees page.

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.

Scholarships and Bursaries

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

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

  • Parking and travel to and from campus
  • Printing, photocopying, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
  • Purchase of books or texts
  • Printing and binding
  • 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

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.

Physical Earth Science is popular because it provides a critical understanding of the modern world. This understanding can be broadly applied in the world of work, creating a diverse range of employment opportunities for 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.

Global Opportunities

Your degree programme may already give you an option to study or work abroad but in addition to this you can also consider an international summer programme.

These programmes are open to all our undergraduate students and include culture and study tours, volunteering programmes and internships across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Europe and Canada. Programmes are typically 2 – 6 weeks long and funding is available. See our Summer Programmes for further information.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

Additional Information

All of our Geography courses have modules that involve a field course. Swansea University is an ideal place to study Geography as we have outstanding locations on our doorstep for both human and physical geography disciplines. We make the best of our locality by visiting the coastal Gower peninsula, the mountainous Brecon Beacons and looking at the local urban and industrial centres of South Wales.

Past field course destinations have included New York, Berlin, Mallorca, Austria, Borneo and Vancouver. These trips of a lifetime are a great way to learn about other environments and people, and also to bond and work collaboratively with your fellow students and lecturers.

There is also an opportunity to apply for a place on our field course to Sikkim, in the Indian Himalayas, where you’ll be working with students and staff from our Biosciences department.

BSc Physical Earth Science with a year in industry

Studying Geography at Swansea  will help you to better understand the world around you and will equip you will all the skills needed to move seamlessly into the workplace. Our Year in Industry degrees will help you hone your employability skills, getting you ready for the wider world of work. After your year of work you will return to our beautiful beachside campus to complete your studies and graduate with our Year in industry degree, making you more desirable to prospective employers. 

Colorado Geography graduate profiles

Our degree schemes prepare you for a rewarding career in a wide range of areas, including environmental management, conservation, aid and development agencies, local authorities, education, financial planning, computing, business and retail management, regional and resource planning, and insurance risk assessment. Alice Matthias is working at the BBC's Natural History Unit and Tomas Howells is working at Menzies Aviation.

Download a brochure Geography 2019/20

Visit the Department of Geography

Physical Earth Science, BSc (Hons)

Physical Earth Science with a Year in Industry, BSc (Hons)

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