| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Marine Geography (MSci) program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of marine environments and their interactions with society. Through a combination of fieldwork, research projects, and theoretical studies, graduates gain expertise in marine ecology, coastal processes, and ocean-atmosphere interactions, preparing them for careers in marine conservation, environmental consulting, and research. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, research skills, and the ability to apply advanced field techniques, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to address critical marine challenges and contribute to sustainable maritime industries.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This four-year full-time Marine Geography program aims to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and skills to understand and address critical marine challenges, ensuring healthy oceans and sustainable maritime industries. The program integrates a combination of fieldwork, research projects, and theoretical studies, providing a holistic understanding of marine environments and the interactions between society and the sea.
Objectives:
The program's key objectives include:
- strong foundation in marine geography
- advanced understanding
- sampling, data collection, and analysis
- essential professional skills
Outline:
The program adopts a structured approach, providing a foundation in marine geography in the initial years, followed by in-depth exploration and research in later stages.
Year One:
- Core modules focus on building a strong understanding of marine geography, covering fundamental topics like Earth processes, global environments, and geographical skills.
- This year lays the groundwork for students to choose their desired specialization later in the program.
Year Two:
- Students expand their knowledge with advanced courses on marine ecology, coastal processes, and the ocean-atmosphere system.
- This year also features a residential field trip to a coastal national park in Wales for practical training in mapping and surveying.
- Additionally, students engage in five weeks of independent research to prepare for their third-year dissertation.
Year Three:
- Students gain more freedom to personalize their learning experience by choosing optional modules in specific areas of interest.
- This year emphasizes research skills as students complete an extensive dissertation on a marine geography topic of their choice.
- Students embark on an overseas field trip to a European location to further develop their environmental monitoring and surveying skills.
Year Four:
- This year marks the Masters阶段， with core modules focused on research, including a 60-credit dissertation and an advanced research fieldwork module.
- Students can also choose from optional modules in areas like business and consultancy or advanced geographical modeling.
- This year culminates with a Masters dissertation based on original research, allowing students to delve deeply into their chosen area of expertise.
Assessment:
Assessment methods in the program include a variety of approaches, providing a comprehensive evaluation of student knowledge and understanding.
- Written assignments, essays, and presentations test student understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to communicate research findings effectively.
- Fieldwork and practical exercises assess students' skills in data collection and analysis, including their ability to operate advanced equipment and apply specific field techniques.
- The dissertation project involves extensive research and analysis, culminating in a comprehensive written report and oral defense, allowing students to demonstrate their research skills and critical thinking.
Teaching:
The Marine Geography program boasts a team of world-renowned experts as educators. The teaching approach utilizes a dynamic mix of theoretical and practical elements:
- Lectures by leading specialists offer in-depth theoretical knowledge and insights.
- Laboratory work provides hands-on experience in conducting experiments and analyzing data.
- Fieldwork trips offer invaluable practical training in different settings, including coastal environments and offshore surveys.
- The program also fosters collaboration and discussion through workshops and seminars, promoting active learning and critical thinking.
Careers:
Graduates of the Marine Geography program are equipped with a wide range of skills and knowledge, making them highly sought-after in various industries and roles.
- Marine conservation and management organizations require the expertise of graduates to protect marine ecosystems and habitats.
- Environmental consulting firms seek qualified individuals to assess environmental impacts, design sustainable solutions, and guide policy development.
- Marine geospatial analysts are in high demand by maritime companies and government agencies, utilizing their spatial data analysis skills to navigate ocean challenges.
- Beyond marine-specific fields, graduates also possess transferable skills applicable to other sectors, such as finance, education, insurance, and planning.
- The high-level research skills acquired through the program are particularly valuable for careers in academia, government, and research-intensive industries, where a Master's degree is often a requirement for senior positions.
Other:
- The program offers regular field trips to various locations in the UK, including the Bristol Channel, Glamorgan Heritage Coast, and Gower, offering hands-on experience in surveying, environmental monitoring, and other relevant skills.
- The School emphasizes inclusivity, creating a welcoming environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds and fosters personalized support for each student.
Fees for home status
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 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.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
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.
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.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
