Environmental Geography (BSc)
- Subject areas: Earth and environmental sciences, Geography (physical)
- UCAS code: K32K
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Environmental geographers use their scientific understanding of the natural and physical environment to find solutions to crucial environmental issues.
Industry connections
Our links with alumni, environmental regulators and local organisations provide plenty of opportunities for you to complete projects and summer placements.
Fieldwork opportunities
We take regular field trips in the UK and overseas to help you develop strong fieldwork skills. The cost of compulsory field trips is included in the course fees.
High-quality facilities
You will have access to the latest in surveying and mapping equipment, labs and computing facilities.
Flexible course
In most cases, you may request a transfer to programmes with a professional placement year, with a year of study abroad, or to the MSci. You may also request a switch to another course in the School at the end of the first semester.
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 study how the Earth functions and the science behind the human impact on the planet over time. You will look at environments across the world, from the extreme poles to tropical coral reefs, exploring both the pressures they face today and in the future. 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 opportunities to do overseas trips, in the past we’ve been to the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Students on this course are usually concerned about the health of the planet and want to make a positive difference. They graduate with the skills needed to solve a range of complex environmental problems and with experience in hands-on fieldwork and cutting-edge research.
Subject area: Earth and environmental sciences
Subject area: Geography (physical)
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
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.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
32-30 overall or 665 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.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
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.
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
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
Qualifications from outside the UK
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
The fieldwork costs for your core modules are included but you will need to contribute towards food if it is provided during the trip. Students facing financial hardship may be eligible to apply to the Cardiff Financial Assistance Programme for help with these costs.
Course specific equipment
You will need suitable clothing including warm weather, wind and storm-proof jackets and walking boots. The school will provide all health and safety equipment as well as specialised field equipment.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
With the planet under increasing pressure from climate change, over-exploitation and pollution, the knowledge and skills of an environmental geographer are in demand. An environmental geographer will play an important role in a greener, low carbon future, using their understanding of the Earth to find sustainable solutions to the challenges we face in the future.
You can choose to work in a variety of different industries and roles including conservation and environmental management, as an environmental consultant or a geospatial analyst. You will also have essential employable skills that sectors like insurance, finance, education and planning are looking for.
Some of our past students have gone on to work at the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, local government, environmental consultancies and environmental charities.
Placements
Any student who can secure a suitable placement with a company or organisation may transfer to our four-year programme and graduate with a BSc with a Professional Placement Year. We cannot guarantee placements as the recruitment and selection process depends on the company you are applying to. However, we will support you in finding and applying for a placement and the University’s careers service can help you with your applications, CV and interview skills. We have found that students who complete a professional placement year return to their studies with invaluable employability skills and industry experience.
Fieldwork
Our location in South Wales is perfect for studying environmental geography, as we have easy access to a huge range of natural environments, with mountains to the north and the Severn tidal estuary in the south. Naturally, we will spend some time studying these varied landscapes and training you in essential fieldwork skills, such as map-reading, landscape identification and the use of a compass.
We also take our students on several residential field trips. In the past we have explored the impacts of past glaciations on the environment of Snowdonia National Park, visited a modern glaciated landscape in the Alps, and investigated hydrology and river systems in the south of France.
All of the travel and accommodation on our field trips is paid for by the School. We will only ask you for a small contribution towards food and drink for each trip.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.