Cardiff University
Environmental Geography MSc
Cardiff University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 90 graduates of Environmental Geography MSc and other courses in physical geographical sciences at Cardiff University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in physical geographical sciences.

Overall student satisfaction
87 /100
90 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in physical geographical sciences

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of physical geographical sciences at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £25500 £32500
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £30000 £21500 - £33500 £27000 - £42500


Salary of all UK Graduates of physical geographical sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25022 £23559 £28948
25-75 percentile range £21978 - £28000 £18934 - £29359 £22317 - £36138

Course Description

Overview and aims of the Programme

Are you passionate about finding solutions to the most urgent environmental threats facing our planet today? 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 Masters course, you will explore how the Earth functions and the science behind human impact on the planet over time. You will study environments across the world and the pressures they face today and in the future. You will learn about a wide range of environments, from the extreme poles to tropical coral reefs. 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. There will also be opportunities to do overseas trips, in the past we’ve been to the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Our Masters degrees involve a fourth year of study where you work on an independent research project with a world-leading scientist from the School and their research staff. You will develop the advanced research skills needed for a career in academic research.

Distinctive Features of the Programme

  • Student satisfaction - Belong to a small and friendly community voted top among all Russell Group Universities in the main category of Overall Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2018. In 2019 our Environmental Geography and Marine Geography degrees were jointly ranked 1st out of 63 Physical Geography and Environmental Sciences undergraduate courses.
  • Flexible degree schemes - all of the School’s degrees have a common first semester that introduce you to geosciences and geography. You can then decide whether to stay with your chosen degree or switch to another in the same School.
  • Hands-on fieldwork in the UK and overseas- you will get plenty of opportunity to develop your fieldwork skills with regular day trips and residential trips in Wales and overseas. Wales is like a playground for environmental geographers. From impressive mountains in the north to a biodiverse tidal estuary in the south, we have a huge range of natural environments to explore.
  • World leading experts and facilities – you will be taught by world-leading scientists and have access to: the latest technologies in surveying and mapping equipment, chemical laboratories, laboratories with GIS (Geographic Information System) and a 12-metre research boat, the RV Guiding Light.
  • Industry connections - we have excellent links with our alumni working across the world and with external partners including employers, environmental regulators and local organisations like Natural Resources Wales. These connections help students to find relevant and highly topical research projects and will often offer practical help, advice and summer placement opportunities.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Environmental Geography MSc at Cardiff University

30% Information Technology Professionals
10% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
10% Process, plant and machine operatives
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Skilled trades occupations
5% Sales occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for physical geographical sciences

Qualification 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.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • MBA

Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Environmental Geography, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Environmental Geography MSc

England UK £9000 year 1
Northern Ireland £9000 year 1
Scotland £9000 year 1
Wales £9000 year 1
Channel Islands £9000 year 1
Ireland £9000 year 1
EU £25450 year 1
International £25450 year 1
EU £28200 year 1
International £28200 year 1

Additional fee information

Students from the UK and Islands:

Fees stated are for the 2024/25 academic year. 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.

Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme.

Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete to the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.

Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland:

Students from the rest of the world (international):

Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme.

Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Cardiff University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Cardiff University in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #1 
    • #21 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #1 
    • #51 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #126 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 33 university rankings of Cardiff University

About Cardiff University

Established in 1883, Cardiff University is located in the urban setting of the city of Cardiff, Wales. Some of the university’s most obvious advantages include world-leading research, a knowledgeable and proactive career services office, and the central location. Cardiff is a vibrant, modern city with a young and diverse population known for accepting people from all walks of life.

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Where is this programme taught

Main Site - Cardiff
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