Physical Geography with a Foundation Year (BSC)
- Subject areas: Earth and environmental sciences, Geography (physical)
- UCAS code: F801
- Next intake: September 2026
- Duration: 4 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Explore the landscapes, climate and the dynamic physical processes that shape the Earth’s surface, with a focus on the global challenges facing our oceans or the effect humans are having on the planet.
Skills society needs
Strong connections
Our excellent links to local organisations, such as Natural Resources Wales and the Severn Estuary Partnership, helps our students to find projects and placement opportunities.
Your degree, your choice
Join any one of our Geology programmes on successful completion of the foundation year.
Great location
From impressive mountains in the north to a biodiverse tidal estuary in the south, Wales is a playground for geographers with plenty of natural environments to explore.
Fieldwork opportunities
We take regular field trips in the UK and an overseas trip to help you develop strong fieldwork skills. The cost of transport and accommodation is included in your course fee.
This four-year integrated programme explores the landscapes, climate and dynamic physical processes that shape the Earth’s surface, with a focus on the global challenges facing our oceans or the effect humans are having on the planet.
This Foundation Year provides a supportive route into university study enabling you to progress into any of our Physical Geography, Environmental Geography, Marine Geography or Environmental Sustainability Science degrees.
The flexibility we offer means you have the option to extend your degree by an additional year by switching to an MSci before the end of your second year (subject to academic achievement) or choosing a degree with a year of study abroad.
You will study a wide range of topics, from glaciers and volcanoes to climate change, land degradation and rising sea levels. Depending on your interests, you can choose to focus on physical processes that shape the planet, environmental challenges affecting ecosystems around the world, the relationship between society and the sea, or the science of sustainability and global development. You will investigate environments ranging from deserts and mountains to coral reefs, polar regions and coastal landscapes.
A key feature of our Physically Geography programmes is learning through practical experience. You will develop valuable skills in fieldwork, mapping, data analysis and problem-solving, while gaining experience with industry-standard equipment and technologies. Field trips allow you to apply your knowledge in diverse land and marine environments.
Throughout your studies, you will engage with real-world challenges such as climate action, sustainable resource management, ocean health, flooding, coastal erosion and environmental conservation. You will learn how to analyse complex environmental problems, evaluate evidence and develop practical solutions that can support a more sustainable future.
Our graduates leave with a strong scientific understanding of the physical environment, extensive hands-on experience and a wide range of transferable skills. Whether your goal is to protect natural environments, support sustainable industries, influence environmental policy or contribute to research, these degrees provide an excellent foundation for making a positive impact on the world.
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
CCD-CDD. Must include one science subject. Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, ICT, Maths, Physics, Psychology, 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
27-26 overall or 554-544 in 3 HL subjects. Must include one HL science subject. Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics, Psychology.
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.
GCSE and 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.
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, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
MMM-MMP in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Animal Science, Applied Science, Engineering, Health Science, ICT, or Sports and Exercise Science.
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.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2026 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
| Year | Tuition fee 1 | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation/ preliminary year | £9,790 | None |
| Year one | £9,790 | None |
| Year two | £9,790 | None |
| Year three | £9,790 | None |
1 Home status tuition fees are charged at the maximum fee set by the Government each year. If the tuition fee cap changes before you start your course, we’ll email you to let you know. We’ll explain any changes to your tuition fees, and allow you to withdraw without penalty if you decide not to study with us.
Tuition fees may increase for subsequent years of your course if the fee cap changes. Learn what happens if tuition fees increase.
Learn more about our tuition fees
Fees for overseas status
This course does not currently accept students from outside the UK/EU.
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
Course specific equipment
You will need suitable clothing, including all-over waterproofs and ankle supporting walking boots for field activities. We 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.
Course structure
You’ll study for a minimum of 4 years, including your integrated foundation year.
The foundation year is designed to build confidence, academic capability and subject specific understanding through expert teaching, tailored support and an inclusive learning environment.
On successful completion of the foundation year, you’ll progress into one of our Physical Geography programmes. Your options include:
- Physical Geography (BSc)
- Physical Geography (MSci)
- Physical Geography with a Year of Study Abroad (BSc)
- Environmental Geography (BSc)
- Environmental Geography (MSci)
- Environmental Geography with a Year of Study Abroad (BSc)
- Marine Geography (BSc)
- Marine Geography (MSci)
- Marine Geography with a Year of Study Abroad (BSc)
- Environmental Sustainability Science (BSc)
For Physical Geography, Environmental Geography and Marine Geography:
Core modules are supplemented with fieldwork and optional modules. We will go on residential field trips in Wales and South-West England, as well as local day trips to sites across South Wales in years one and two. In the final year, you will also have the option to go on an overseas field trip that will bring together much of what you have learned throughout your course – in that past we have been to Spain and Cyprus.
For Environmental Sustainability Science:
The programme uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to form three Grand (societal or global) Challenges (GCs) that are used as the focus of learning and which equate to 60 credits: clean water (in year one), land degradation (in year two) and climate action (in year three). The remaining 60 credits are chosen from a balance of core and optional modules.
All of the degrees in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences study the same first semester. After semester one you can decide whether you want to continue with your original choice or switch to one of the other degrees.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2026/2027 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2026.
Foundation/ preliminary year
The foundation year is designed to build confidence, academic capability and subject specific understanding through expert teaching, tailored support and an inclusive learning environment.
You’ll study 6 core modules of 120 credits each, carefully designed to prepare you for your chosen Physical Gepgraphy programme.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Algebra | EN0017 | 10 credits |
| Statistics and Data | MA0502 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Project | CH0008 | 20 credits |
| Skills for Knowledge, Independence, Lifelong Learning | CH0009 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Mechanics | EN0016 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Calculus | EN0019 | 20 credits |
Year one
In your first year, you will study core modules designed to give you a strong foundation in Earth sciences and geography. Topics include oceans, climate, earth processes and global environments.
You will develop essential geographical skills like map and chart work, GIS and basic geographical data analysis.
For Environmental Sustainability Science:
The programme uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to form three Grand (societal or global) Challenges (GCs) that are used as the focus of learning and which equate to 60 credits: clean water (in year one), land degradation (in year two) and climate action (in year three). The remaining 60 credits are chosen from a balance of core and optional modules.
All of the degrees in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences study the same first semester. After semester one you can decide whether you want to continue with your original choice or switch to one of the other degrees.
Year two
Year two of the course you will build on knowledge from year one and started exploring more advanced concepts in your chosen subject.
For Physical Geography, Environmental Geography and Marine Geography:
We will go on a residential field course to a coastal national park within Wales (either Pembrokeshire or Eryri) to learn key field skills including mapping and surveying.
In the summer between year two and three, you will do five weeks of independent research to prepare for your dissertation in year three.
You earn 120 credits for the year. This is made up of 40 and 20 credit core modules and a choice of 20 credit optional modules.
Year three
In your final year, you will have more freedom to shape your degree and choose modules that fit with your career ambitions. You will also develop essential professional skills and knowledge that all employers are looking for. You will earn 120 credits for the year and one of your core modules will include your dissertation.
In year three of the Environmental Sustainability Science programme, your dissertation will form part of the core Grand Challenge module on Climate Action.
If you choose to take a year of study abroad, year three will be spent at a partner institution overseas. Due to there being a limited number of places at our Exchange Partners there is a competitive selection process for these places.
Year four will then continue, on your return, as described above.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
We are a friendly and informal school and you will be taught by world-leading experts involved in cutting-edge international research.
Our teaching approach is a mix of theory and practical and includes: lectures, laboratory work, fieldwork, tutorials, workshops and seminars. You will also be encouraged to learn independently and within groups throughout the course, developing a wide range of skills which will be essential for your future employment including project management and organisational skills as well as developing your competence in applying information technology and using state-of-the-art field techniques and equipment.
How will I be assessed?
We will be assessing your level of knowledge and understanding in each module through a combination of assignments, presentations, fieldwork, examinations and a dissertation. You will receive written and oral feedback on your coursework and there are opportunities for informal feedback throughout the course.
You will complete a wide range of assessments, from traditional essays, data interpretation exercises and posters on topical themes to more interactive assignment experiences including group presentations, technical reports and briefing papers. These different assessments are designed to give you professional assessment experience and help you prepare for employment.
NOTE: The University welcomes applications from students with disabilities and we endeavour to offer reasonable alternative assessment methods wherever possible. We have an Alternative Fieldwork Policy which is adopted in cases where a student cannot attend a scheduled, taught field course, or part(s) thereof, because of extenuating circumstances.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.
On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
- A systematic understanding of spatial and temporal processes relating to a earth system processes, including a broad critical comprehension of the inter-relationships between these at a range of scales.
- A broad understanding of global challenges including risks and hazards associated with earth system processes, including approaches to the governance of these.
- A systematic understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of Physical Geography, including its content, methods and philosophy, and an associated practical understanding of the need for integration of knowledge from cognate sciences, including those related to ocean, atmospheric, physical and environmental sciences.
Intellectual Skills:
- Debate, interpret and explain the causes and scales of contemporary and future earth system processes whilst critically applying relevant ideas, concepts and methods.
- Collect, collate, synthesise and critically evaluate a wide variety of Physical Geography data and information, drawing from relevant approaches in cognate areas of science.
- Evaluate current research in selected aspects of Physical Geography, demonstrating an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of associated scientific understanding.
- Work across disciplines to link knowledge and experience from allied sciences to understand earth system processes.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Critically analyse and interpret a range of different types of data related to the physical geography research processes to investigate a range of topical earth surface topics and theoretical concepts.
- Plan, design and execute research related to physical geography, critically using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis in field, offshore, laboratory and desk-based studies.
- Understand and apply methods used to acquire geospatial data and represent such data in appropriate cartographic and graphic formats using appropriate platforms, including GIS.
- Address research problems involving the integration and analysis of diverse and often incomplete and uncertain data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies and approaches.
- Demonstrate practical skills and competence in information technology, geographical information systems, cartographic, statistical and other analytical techniques.
- Undertake effective project management and organisational skills through independent working and team work.
- Understand and the practical limitations, logistics, safety and ethical aspects of data gathering in various environments, and apply this understanding, as appropriate to applied research.
Transferable/Key Skills:
- An ability to effectively communication of knowledge, ideas and arguments in a variety of formats using oral, written, and visual media to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- An ability to work competently individually or as part of a team in both problem-setting and problem-solving within a range of applied research environments where decision-making is complex and multi-disciplinary.
- An ability to undertake independent study and personal scholarship, fostered through enhanced personal responsibility, initiative and self-learning experiences.
- An understanding of the skills and competencies needed to secure employment and support ongoing professional development, and be able to apply this to self-reflect, assess and articulate individual employability skills and needs.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
With the planet under increasing pressure from climate change and a changing landscape, the knowledge and skills of a physical geographer are in demand. You can use your understanding of the Earth’s processes to find sustainable solutions to many of the complex challenges we face today and in the future.
You could help develop sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, manage natural resources, protect important habitats and wildlife, or support the transition to a low-carbon future. Career opportunities exist in government, environmental agencies, consultancies, conservation organisations and the private sector. Graduates work in roles such as environmental consultant, geospatial analyst, marine management specialist and technical advisor. The analytical, research and data skills developed during these degrees are also valued in sectors such as planning, education, insurance and finance.
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
Physical Geography, Environmental Geography and Marine Geography:
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, our dedicated placements officer 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
Between the impressive mountains in the north and a biodiverse tidal estuary in the south, you will gain a wealth of hands-on experience exploring some of the UK’s most unique areas of geographic interest.
We take regular day trips along the coast and to Bannau Brycheiniog mountain range in South Wales, as well as a residential trip to Eryri in North Wales, and an overseas trip to Europe. Previous locations include Switzerland.
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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.
