Human Geography with a Professional Placement Year - BSc (Hons)

Cardiff University

Our BSc in Human Geography with a Professional Placement Year will give you a comprehensive understanding of the role of space and place in shaping economic, social, cultural and political activity at different scales and in different cultural contexts. You’ll develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the complex relationships between the natural and human world, and an awareness of how places outside your everyday experience are created. You’ll learn how this knowledge can shape the views and actions of elected decision-makers, the voluntary sector and industry to help improve society. Together, we’ll explore geographical ideas and practice at different spatial scales, making connections between local, regional, national and global levels. Our emphasis is on the social, cultural, political, economic, development and environmental areas of geography. Specialist modules allow you to follow your own interests and ambitions while your final year gives you the chance to complete a substantial piece of original research on a topic of your choosing. You’ll undertake a placement year in practice during the third year of the programme. It’s an excellent opportunity to translate and apply your learning to the modern workplace, develop key employability skills and build your professional experience, profile and network. Fieldwork and experiential learning are also key parts of the programme. You’ll develop practical skills through in-module field visits, group data collection and analysis assessments, graduating with the professional and academic grounding to build your career in a range of different sectors.

We’re Top 100 in the world for geography in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).

Apply your learning to real-world contexts and develop practical skills through field visits and field study modules.

Gain the knowledge and motivation to tackle global challenges, transforming our world and improving where and how we live.

Gain industry experience in your area of choice, developing the skills and connections to accelerate your career.