Geography (physical)
Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time. Physical geographers explore the climate, natural landscapes and surface processes of the Earth, from glaciation to desertification.
Live sessions
Ask our staff and students questions in a live chat and find out what the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences has to offer.
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Virtual Open Day - School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at Cardiff University (webinar)
Registration open21 April, 17:00 - 18:00
Why study with us
Physical geography is one of the two major branches of geography, together with human geography. Physical geographers explore the landscapes, climate and the dynamic physical processes that shape the Earth's surface. Our environmental and marine geography courses are a blend of physical and human geography. Marine geographers explore the global challenges facing our oceans and investigate the relationship between society and the sea. Environmental geographers study the effect humans are having on our planet and how we can move towards more sustainable futures.
Placement options
We offer year-long placement and study abroad opportunities on the majority of our courses.
Skills society needs
Climate change, pollution, land degradation and natural hazards are at the forefront of many global challenges, creating an ever-increasing demand for geographical skills.
Fieldwork opportunities
We take regular field trips in the UK and overseas to help you develop strong fieldwork skills.
Field trips teach you new techniques you will use throughout your degree and give you an overview of the course. They are also a great opportunity to meet new people. When you are dropped off on one of your first trips, you can’t help but make friends. Whilst all my flatmates were sat in lectures day after day, I was out exploring Cardiff and the surrounding area.
Courses
Facilities and location
Our School
Located in Main BuildingThe School of Earth and Environmental Sciences is located inside the University's iconic Main Building. Watch our student-led tour on YouTube.
Large lecture theatre
Located in Main BuildingThe Shandon Lecture Theatre is one of our large lecture theatres where you may have some of your first-year lectures.
Small lecture theatre
Located in Main BuildingThe Wallace Lecture Theatre is one of our smaller lecture theatres where you may have some of your second and third-year lectures.
Science Library
Located in Main BuildingThe library contains collections on biosciences, chemistry, Earth and environmental sciences, as well as facilities to support you with your studies.
Laboratory
Located in Main BuildingThis is a typical laboratory where geography students might complete activities such as mapping sessions.
Centre for Student Life
Our School is opposite the new home for our Students' Union, student support services and a large selection of shops, restaurants and study spaces.
RV Guiding Light
Our coastal research vessel enables some of our geography students to understand marine issues better, from sea level rise through to coastal erosion and management.
Our talks
There have been some important updates since filming the videos on this page. Our BSc with a Year Abroad programmes have been approved and will be available to applicants in September 2021. Our School name has changed from the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences to the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
A taste of studying geography
Watch our taster lecture or sign up for our free online short course to get a taste of our approach to teaching, as well as some of the exciting topics you might study.
Fieldwork
Geography is a hands-on and practical subject that is best experienced out in the field. Seeing something for yourself brings theory to life, whether it is imaging the seabed with sonar or measuring how the landscape has changed over time. We offer our students a fun fusion of lectures, seminars, laboratory and fieldwork. Our students complete local fieldwork in South Wales and around the UK, as well as residential field trips in locations across Europe.
Discover the field trip destinations we have visited in the past.
Fieldwork for geographers
Dr Rhoda Ballinger explores the field trip opportunities available to students studying one of our geography degrees.
I work as a Coastal Process Scientist monitoring the coast as part of the Southeast Strategic Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme. We undertake topographic beach surveys and nearshore hydrographic surveys. The data are processed and used by a wide variety of stakeholders. I am responsible for planning, undertaking and analysing beach surveys within the East Solent area. The wide variety of modules I covered at Cardiff, as well as the use of different software and the practical fieldwork aspect, helped me to secure a job I love.
Careers
There are many careers available to Earth and environmental scientists, and if you decide to change your career path, the skills that you learn in your degree will still be useful in a wide range of unrelated areas. 95% of our graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling 15 months after the end of their course (HESA data). Read stories from our recent graduates.
Graduate career opportunities
Dr Andrew Kerr reviews some of the possible careers that can be pursued after studying with us, including case examples from former students.
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Next steps
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Other subjects you may be interested in
HESA data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2020. 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 2017/18, published by HESA in June 2020.
Undergraduate
With over 300 courses to choose from, join us and benefit from our excellent facilities, a great student experience and as a graduate, be in demand by leading employers.
Undergraduate prospectus 2021
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