Geography, BSc (Hons)

Develop the skills and knowledge to respond to global challenges

Students in the tephra lab

It's not too late to start studying with us this September/October.

See our clearing pages for more information.

Course Overview

Our three-year BA and BSc Geography degrees at Swansea University follow the same programme.

However, the two different programmes offer a degree title (either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) that students who are more interested in either Human or Physical Geography may prefer.

Our Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) accredited BA Geography programme explores environmental change, globalisation, creative and urban geography, and migration on the human geography side.

Whereas, the BSc Geography covers themes which include glaciology, climate and weather science, earth observation, using satellite data to study environmental change, volcanology and earth sciences.

Why Geography at Swansea?

Geography at Swansea Offers:

  • A flexible degree path that 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 Nature Beauty (now the Gower National Landscape) on our doorstep, and Wales’ nearby national parks for regular, local field trips.
  • Field courses in the second and third year that give you the chance to carry out fieldwork in Europe and North America, as well as specialised field modules to Asia, with low carbon options that explore the Isles of Scilly.
  • A world-renowned department with a strong record of employability; Ranked Top 250 in the World for Environmental Sciences (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2025).
  • Top 100 in the World for Geography (Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024)
  • 93% of Geography graduates are in employment and/or study, or doing other activities such as travelling 15 months after leaving Swansea Univeristy (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025)

Human Geography at Swansea Offers:

  • 5th in the UK for Overall Positivity (NSS 2025) *Based on the overall positivity score for question 1 -26 in the NSS 2025

Physical Geography at Swansea offers:

  • 10th in the UK for Overall Positivity (NSS 2025) *Based on the overall positivity score for question 1 -26 in the NSS 2025

Your Geography Experience

  • You can 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.
  • Students can opt for modules, and project topics, that inform their career plans and allow them to gain specialisms in social and economic topics, which can include: Cultural and Political Geography, Tourism, Heritage and Leisure, World Cities and Rural and Migration Geography.
  • Our Science Communication and Dissertation Report modules give critical transferable skills like project management and independent researcher abilities.
  • Welsh speaking students can choose to study part of this degree programmes in the medium of Welsh.

Geography 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

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.

Geography, BSc (Hons)

Geography with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons)

Geography with a Year in Industry, BSc (Hons)