Human Geography, BA (Hons)

The Human Geography program at Swansea University is a three-year social-science focused degree that explores the geographical relationships between people, societies, cultures, economies, and the environment. This program is suitable for students who want to study Geography without delving into Physical Geography topics in detail.

Course Overview

The BA Human Geography program is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) and offers a flexible degree path that can be customized by choosing from a mixture of human and physical geography modules. Students have the opportunity to study abroad for a year or work in industry, and the program has a strong emphasis on fieldwork, taking advantage of the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Wales' nearby national parks for regular, local field trips.

Modules

The program consists of various modules, including:

• Geographical Imaginations
• Globalized World
• Geographical skills
• Natural Hazards and Society
• Field Methods - Human Geography
• Sustainability and the Climate Emergency
• Geographical Fieldwork skills
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• Geographical Methods and Data Analysis (Human Geography)
• Dissertation Preparation Skills
• Marginal Cultural Geographies
• Political and Economic Geographies
• Coasts
• Tourism, Heritage and Leisure
• Social Geographies
• Sustainable Land Management
• Dissertation Report: Geography
• Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
• Violent Geographies
• Creative Geographies
• Science Communication with Placement
• Contemporary Rural Britain
• World Cities
• Global Environmental Politics

Entry Requirements

The typical offer for the program is ABB-BBC at A level, including Geography, Economics, or Politics. International applicants can refer to the university's undergraduate international entry requirements.

How You're Taught

The program uses a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions. Students will have access to digital learning tools, such as recorded lectures and online resources.

Welsh Provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of the program through the medium of Welsh. Academi Hywel Teifi offers support, including access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries, modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh, and a Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.

Professional Body Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), ensuring that graduates meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability, and transferable skills.

Meet Your Lecturers

The Geography Department consists of around 30 academic staff, technicians, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students. Lecturers operate an 'open door' policy, and students can chat with them about any concerns.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the program vary depending on the start date and student status (UK or international). For the 2026 start date, the fees are ｣9,535 for UK students and ｣23,200 for international students.

Funding and Scholarships

Students may be eligible for funding to help support their study, including scholarships and bursaries. Academi Hywel Teifi offers generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.

Additional Costs

Students may face additional costs, including travel to and from campus, printing, photocopying, binding, stationery, and equipment costs. Level 2 Single Honours students choose from a range of overseas field courses, which require an additional payment.

Careers and Employability

The program provides key insights and understanding of the modern world, creating a diverse range of employment opportunities for geography graduates. The Careers and Employability Team supports students at each stage of their career journey, offering employability workshops, individual advice, and help with finding jobs, internships, and volunteering opportunities.

Academic Support

The Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops, and one-to-one support in areas such as academic writing, maths and statistics, critical thinking, and time management. The department also offers a personal tutor and peer mentoring scheme.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

The program offers opportunities for study abroad, including a year in industry or a year abroad. Students can also participate in international summer programs, which typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as Sri Lanka, South Korea, Fiji, Bali, the USA, and Europe.

How to Apply

Students can apply through UCAS or the university's online application system. International students may also apply through UCAS or the university's online application system.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1920 as University College of Swansea
• Received its Royal Charter in 1948, becoming Swansea University
• Consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the UK
• Home to over 20,000 students from over 140 countries
• Notable achievements include:
  • 2019 Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its work in developing and delivering innovative teaching methods
  • 2018 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
  • 2017 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results showed that 90% of Swansea University's research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in a variety of disciplines, including rugby, football, and basketball
• Student support services include:
  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Disability support
  • Financial advice
  • International student support
• Campus facilities include:
  • Bay Campus: Modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, sports center, and student union
  • Singleton Campus: Historic campus with a mix of traditional and modern buildings, including the iconic Singleton Abbey
  • Tycoch Campus: Home to the College of Engineering and the School of Management

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Academics:

• Academic resources include:
  • Over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programs
  • World-class research facilities
  • Extensive library resources
• Faculty:
  • Over 1,000 academic staff, including internationally renowned researchers and industry experts
• Teaching methodologies:
  • Focus on student-centered learning
  • Use of innovative teaching methods, such as problem-based learning and flipped classrooms
• Academic support services:
  • Academic skills workshops
  • Writing center
  • Math and statistics support
• Unique academic programs or initiatives:
  • Swansea Employability Academy: Provides students with opportunities to develop employability skills
  • Swansea University Global: Offers international study and research opportunities

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Top 30 UK university
• Excellent teaching and research
• World-class facilities
• Strong industry connections
• Vibrant student life
• Notable alumni include:
  • Michael Sheen, actor
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress
  • Sir Terry Matthews, entrepreneur

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Housing services
• Library resources:
  • Over 1 million books and journals
  • Access to online databases and e-resources
• Technology support:
  • Free Wi-Fi across campus
  • Computer labs and printing facilities
• Career development services:
  • Career counseling
  • Job search assistance
  • Employer networking events