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Address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and kickstart your career with a
degree in human geography from Cardiff University
If you’re interested in the world around us and the impact that we have on our planet, then a degree in human geography is for you.
We’re tackling some of the world’s most challenging social, environmental and economic issues. Ranked in the top 100 for geography (2025 QS World University Rankings), we engage directly with the UN’s SDGs to deliver a sustainable future for people and planet.
Studying geography will give you a deeper understanding of the world we live in and the consequences of human behaviour on the built and natural worlds. We’ll teach you how to use that knowledge, and to apply critical thinking and the practical skills you’ve developed to real world situations. Our collaborative approach means that you’ll see how the work we do can make a genuine difference – and you’ll be inspired to work towards a brighter future.
What you’ll learn
If you’re interested in examining where we live, how we live and how we want to live, then our Human Geography (BSc) and Human Geography and Planning (BSc) degrees are for you.
Exploring the changing nature of space and place, culture and identity, and the relationship between society and environment, our programmes make connections between the local, regional, national and global levels.
You’ll develop a critical understanding of the intricate relations between the human world, and the ways societies function. You’ll learn how to use your knowledge to shape the views and actions of elected decisionmakers, the voluntary sector and industry, to improve society.
How you’ll learn
All our degrees include time in and out of the lecture theatre, making sure you develop hands-on, practical skills alongside your academic knowledge. Undertaking field work is crucial for developing research skills, including gathering and analysing data. You could be visiting local industrial sites or exploring urban spaces in Europe.
During your studies, we’ll provide you with the critical skills to help you succeed in relevant industries following graduation. We’ll challenge your thinking, introduce you to new perspectives and knowledge, and encourage you to think critically and creatively about issues affecting where and how we live.
If you want to extend your degree to 4 years, you can choose to study abroad for a year or put your knowledge into practice by doing a professional placement year. Previous students have worked for prominent NGOs, the UK/Welsh Government, charities and more, both at home and overseas.
Your future
We’ll empower you with the skills, drive and confidence to walk your own path after graduation. Our courses are recognised by academic and policy communities both
domestically and internationally, and our professional accreditations include RGS, RTPI, RICS, and CIHT. Our relationships with these organisations make sure you’re tuned in to the debates and developments across the industry and offer you opportunities to build your professional knowledge and profile.
With 92 per cent of our undergraduate students in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after graduating (2022/23 HESA data), you can be sure that a human geography degree at Cardiff University will give you a strong foundation to make a real difference in the world.
With society under increasing pressure from global change and complex social challenges, the knowledge and skills of a human geographer are in demand. You’ll find our graduates working across the public, private and third sectors, in the UK and around the world. This includes fields like transport, economic development, public policy, education, heritage, conservation, environmental management or consultancy, aid and international development.
Choose Cardiff University for your postgraduate study
Why postgraduate study in planning matters now, more than ever
Human geography and planning sit at the centre of some of the most important issues facing us today. Climate change, housing, transport, regeneration, inequality, environmental protection and sustainable development are no longer separate debates – they’re connected challenges that affect how people live, and how places work.
At Cardiff University, postgraduate taught programmes are designed around those contemporary policy and research issues. Rather than treating geography and planning as unique subjects, they’re placed in the context of the real issues facing cities, regions and communities.
Study rooted in policy and practice
Cardiff University offers a wide range of postgraduate courses, each rooted in key policy and research areas. You’ll explore how cities can grow sustainably, how transport systems can better serve communities, how environmental policy can support long-term resilience, and how development can be planned in ways that are more equitable and effective.
These are issues being tackled across government, industry and the third sector, so what you study is grounded in policy and practice. Several of Cardiff University’s courses also offer accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT), giving employers added confidence in the professional relevance of your studies.
Skills for a wide range of careers
Cardiff University’s programmes equip you with the skills to analyse evidence, understand the social and environmental implications of decisions, and communicate ideas clearly. That might lead you to a career in planning, urban design, development, transport, sustainability or environmental policy, or it could open routes into research, consultancy, public service or international work.
Those skills are in strong demand – 98 per cent of Cardiff University graduates were in employment and/or further study or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after their course ended (Graduate Outcomes survey 2022/23).
Learning in Cardiff
As the capital city of Wales, Cardiff offers a rich setting for learning about planning, sustainability, development and urban change. You’ll learn about live policy debates and work on real examples of how places adapt, invest and evolve, connecting classroom discussion to the wider social, political and environmental context.
The work you’ll do concerns the relationship between people, policy and place, and the practical choices that shape everyday life. At a time when those choices matter more than ever, Cardiff University postgraduate programmes give you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the most urgent global and local issues, while building the skills to make a real difference.
‘The programme has challenged me to examine the impact of human activities on climate and how to critically analyse the current policies and regulations related to this topic. The professors explain complex theories clearly and are open to answering any queries, always encouraging us to participate in conversations to foster better engagement with our field of study.’
Laura Centurion Gonzalvez
Sustainability Planning and Environmental Policy (MSc)
‘Human Geography is unparalleled in its ability to offer interesting, challenging, and diverse topics of study. On countless occasions it has changed my perspective of the world, the relations I have with others, and my ability to critically analyse arguments, which are at the forefront of global discussion.’
Matthew Ellis, Human Geography graduate
