New programme secures RGS accreditation

Cardiff University’s School of Geography and Planning’s new undergraduate degree programme has secured accreditation from the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).

The new programme, BSc Human Geography with a Professional Placement Year, is a four-year variation of the School’s highly regarded Human Geography programme. It offers a salaried placement enabling students to put their lecture-room theory and accumulated knowledge to the test in a professional workplace setting.

The RGS accreditation recognises how the programme meets the Quality Assurance Agency’s Subject Benchmark for Geography and confirming that the ‘knowledge, skills and other attributes expected of high-quality geography graduates are being delivered’.

Professor Milbourne also spoke about the decision to create a four-year professional placement programme: “We acknowledge the competitiveness of the global jobs market and recognise the value and importance of gaining professional experience to help accelerate career progression. Our other undergraduate degrees all offer a professional placement year and we’re thrilled to make it a full set now that our new programme has been approved. Students who choose to follow the new four-year option will have an opportunity to practically apply their learning in a professional setting, whether public, private or third sector. They’ll develop their professional confidence and competence while building their network and individual profile, helping them to get ahead after graduation.”

The new programme is open to applications for 2020 entry.

The School has a long history of working closely with industry and professional bodies in the fields of geography and planning. In addition to the RGS accreditation, the School’s undergraduate degree programmes hold accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).