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Environmental Geography with a Year of Study Abroad

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 27 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site - Cardiff
Awarded by:
Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd)

Course summary

Are you passionate about finding solutions to the most urgent environmental threats facing our planet today? Our scientific understanding of the natural and physical environment is key to addressing issues like climate change, pollution, and land degradation.

On our Environmental Geography course, you will explore how the Earth functions and the science behind human impact on the planet over time. You will study environments across the world and the pressures they face today and in the future. You will learn about a wide range of environments, from the extreme poles to tropical coral reefs. You will use the latest technologies and develop skills in geographical mapping, research, analysis and problem-solving.

We make the most of our location and take regular day trips to Gower, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. There will also be an opportunity to do an overseas trip. In the past we’ve been to the Netherlands and Switzerland.

On this four-year programme, you can spend one academic year studying at one of our partner universities abroad. Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to experience other cultures and viewpoints, learning the different styles and approaches to your subject in another country and exploring new physical environments, landscapes and coastlines. You will get the chance to make new friends and contacts from around the world. Plus, you will have the opportunity to develop a wealth of life skills and strengths that will help you to compete in an increasingly global workplace, such as adaptability, resourcefulness, and resilience.

Students on this course are usually concerned about the health of the planet and want to make a positive difference. Graduates leave with the skills to solve a range of complex environmental problems and with experience of hands-on fieldwork and cutting-edge research with world-leading scientists.

Distinctive Features of the Programme

  • Year Abroad opportunity - Learn while you travel and experience the landscapes or coastlines, education and culture of a different country with the opportunity to complete a year studying at a university abroad.

  • Flexible degree schemes - most of the School’s degrees have a common first semester that introduce you to geosciences and geography. You can then decide whether to stay with your chosen degree or switch to another in the same School.

  • Hands-on fieldwork in the UK and overseas- you will get plenty of opportunity to develop your fieldwork skills with day and residential trips. Landscapes right on our doorstep here in Wales include impressive mountains in the north to a biodiverse tidal estuary in the south; a huge range of natural environments to explore.

  • World leading experts and facilities – you will be taught by world-leading scientists and have access to: the latest technologies in surveying and mapping equipment, chemical laboratories, laboratories with GIS (Geographic Information System) and a 12-metre research boat, the RV Guiding Light.

  • Industry connections - we have excellent links with our alumni working across the world and with external partners including employers and regulators.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
K32L
Institution code:
C15
Campus name:
Main Site - Cardiff

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
ABB-BCC

ABB-BBC (with 1 science subject) or BBB-BCC (with 2 science subjects). Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, ICT, Maths, Physics, Statistics.

T Level

Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

GCSE/National 4/National 5

You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
- GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.

Extended Project
A

For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be “AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ”. Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32-29

32-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects (with 1 HL science subject) or 31-29 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects (with 2 HL science subjects). Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales will be accepted in lieu of one A level at the A level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM-DMM

DDM - DMM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Animal Science, Applied Science, Engineering, Health Science, ICT, or Sports and Exercise Science.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.

We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.

English language requirements

All applicants are expected to have demonstrable English language skills. Most courses ask for GCSE English grade C/4 or equivalent, but some courses ask for GCSE English grade B/6 or equivalent.https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/undergraduate

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Cardiff we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, as part of this our contextual admissions policy aims to widen participation and improve access to Higher Education (HE).

For more information on Cardiff University contextual admissions, including how applications are scored and how we use that score, please see our website.

Learn more on the Cardiff University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790
EU & International£30700

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fees stated are for the 2026/7 academic year.

Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required to complete the stated programme. Optional study trips, placements, or equipment are at your own cost. Tuition fees exclude living costs such as accommodation, subsistence and travel.

UK and Islands:

The University may increase fees as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. We will notify you of changes by the end of June in the preceding academic year.

EU, EEA, and Switzerland:

Unless eligible for UK fee status, fees will align with international fees. Check eligibility at: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/fees/full-list-of-categories-for-he-in-wales/

International:

Fees are fixed for the programme duration, excluding Medicine and Dentistry programmes. During the pre-clinical element of Medicine and Dentistry programmes the fee rate will be fixed, after which the clinical fee rate is charged. Further details: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/funding-and-fees

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries

Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.

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