Marine Geography (MSci)

Why study this course

This four year marine geography degree covers a broad range of marine and coast-related subjects and includes an independent research project.

The world’s oceans and coasts are full of amazing habitats and wildlife and they sustain many important and growing industries including shipping, tourism and renewable energy. As a marine geographer, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to keep our oceans healthy and support traditional and emerging marine industries to be sustainable.

Our Marine Geography course explores a unique mix of physical and environmental geography. You will study the science behind the relationship between society and the sea, and investigate global challenges like ocean acidification and rising sea levels.

South Wales has a rich and diverse marine environment including estuaries with large tidal ranges, islands thriving with wildlife, offshore renewable energy and the largest oil port in the UK in Milford Haven. We take regular trips to the Bristol Channel, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and the Gower, where we complete activities like offshore surveying, water quality monitoring, ecological mapping and beach profiling. There will also be opportunities to go on overseas trips, in the past we’ve been to Malta, Jersey and Greece.

The MSci involves the opportunity, subject to academic performance, to do a fourth year of study where you work on an exciting research project with an academic from the School and their research staff. You will study the physical, hydrographical and managerial issues relating to the ocean, with a focus on developing the advanced research skills needed for a career in academic research and consultancy.

Careers

Career prospects

Keeping our oceans healthy is critical to our future. The sea produces around half of all the oxygen we breathe and absorbs half of all man-made carbon dioxide. The skills and knowledge of marine geographers are needed to tackle current and future marine challenges to make sure that important habitats and wildlife are protected and that maritime industries like fishing, tourism, shipping and renewable energy are developed sustainably.

You can choose to work in a variety of different industries and roles including conservation and marine management, as an environmental consultant or marine geospatial analyst. You will also have many skills that other sectors like insurance, finance, education and planning are looking for.

The advanced research skills, innovation and initiative that you will gain from your degree will be invaluable to employers in academia, government and industry. Many senior positions in marine geography-related careers ask for a minimum of a Master's level qualification.

Our past students now work for a wide range of employers both in the UK and further afield. Recent employers include the Hydrographic Office, Titan Environmental Surveys, the Environment Agency, in the port sector and marine conservation organisations around the world.