Physical Geography with a Year Abroad

Explore the geographical processes that shape the Earth, and gain skills in technical and scientific subjects such as geology, climate science, glaciology, volcanology and satellite monitoring of environmental change.

Our Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) accredited BA Physical Geography programme explores topics that overlap with subjects such as geophysics, climatology, meteorology and earth science. Our Physical Geography degree programmes focus on the analysis of different physical environments both here in the UK and on our international field courses, including coastal, volcanic, island and tectonic environments. A core theme is understanding how human actions are impacting the environment and the challenges of building sustainable futures.

You’ll have access to specialist labs and field equipment to carry out project work, as well as our field kit ‘library’ where you can borrow waterproofs, boots and outdoor gear.

Physical Geography at Swansea offers:

• A flexible degree path you can customise by choosing from a mixture of human and physical geography modules.

• The opportunity to study abroad for a year, or work in industry.

• A strong emphasis on fieldwork. We take advantage of the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (now the Gower National Landscape) on our doorstep, and Wales’ nearby national parks for day field trips.

• International field courses in the second and third years of our programmes give you the chance to carry out fieldwork in Europe and North America, as well as specialised field modules in Asia.

You will study modules that deliver skills and knowledge to tackle global challenges, which may include: Monitoring Global Change from Space, Past Environments and Climate Change, Coastal Environments and Sustainable Land Management.

Our Science Communication and Dissertation Report modules give students critical transferable skills like project management and independent researcher abilities.

Welsh speaking students can choose to study part of this degree programme in the medium of Welsh.

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

"All the lecturers were incredibly helpful and committed to the students. Definitely choose to study at Swansea, not only will you receive an outstanding level of teaching from all lecturers, you will have an incredible experience outside of University exploring everything Swansea has to offer." - Jack Philpott, BSc Physical Geography

In Year 1 you'll study several compulsory modules covering topics such as global environmental change, Earth in action and Earth's changing face. You will then choose from optional modules covering geographical skills and methods, writing skills and personal development planning and practical field projects, and topics such as sustainability, people place and nation, colonial and postcolonial geographies, mobilities and migration and geology.

In Year 2, you'll choose from a range of optional modules covering data analysis, approaches to physical geography and environmental research methods, and topics such as geographic information systems, glacial environments and processes, the Earth from Space, quaternary environmental change, global vegetation patterns and dynamics, urban modelling, Earth history and geological record of past environments. You'll also have an opportunity to take part in an overseas field trip.

In Year 3, you will study abroad at a partner institution.

In Year 4, you'll undertake your dissertation and choose from a range of optional modules covering topics such as glaciology, humid tropical environments and landscapes, meteorology and atmospheric science, plate tectonics and global geophysics, environmental modelling and the climate of the last 1,000 years. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake an interdisciplinary field trip to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim).

On the BSc Physical Geography course, you will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes, and field classes. You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including examinations, coursework, practical work, fieldwork and continuous assessment from tutorials. You will also complete a dissertation in your final year.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Royal Geographical Society