BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience with a Year of Study Abroad Bachelor's degree at Cardiff University
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience with a Year of Study Abroad at Cardiff University. Environmental Geoscience with a Year of Study Abroad at Cardiff University stretches the standard degree into a four-year programme built around a period spent studying overseas, giving you the chance to experience how environmental and…
About this course
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience with a Year of Study Abroad is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Cardiff University. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Earth sciences graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Environmental Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 100% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- World of Dynamic EnvironmentsCore20 credits
- Exploring Planet EarthCore20 credits
- Earth Science FieldworkCore20 credits
- Earth MaterialsCore20 credits
- Life and Earth HistoryCore20 credits
- GIS and Geological Maps (Geoscience)Core20 credits
Year two 5 modules
- Applied Geological Fieldwork, Data Analysis and Professional SkillsCore40 credits
- Sedimentary facies and environmentsCore20 credits
- Structural Geology and Geophysical InvestigationCore20 credits
- Applied Environmental and Resource GeologyCore20 credits
- Process Geomorphology & HydrologyCore20 credits
Year three 1 modules
- Year of Study AbroadCore120 credits
Year four 2 modules
- Advanced Environmental GeologyCore20 credits
- Hazards, Risk and ResilienceCore20 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The degree is structured around core theory in environmental and earth sciences, alongside dedicated modules on research and methods so you build the practical skills needed to design and carry out your own investigations. Applied practice runs through the course, connecting classroom and laboratory learning to real environmental questions, while specialist options let you steer the later stages of the degree towards areas that interest you most, such as those offered within Cardiff's environmental geoscience curriculum. An independent project gives you the space to pursue a piece of research in depth, and professional skills teaching is built in throughout, preparing you for work or further study once you graduate. The year abroad sits within this structure, meaning the sequencing of core content, methods training and specialist study is arranged around your time overseas rather than treated as a separate add-on.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about how the Earth's systems work and wants to understand environmental problems from a scientific angle, rather than only a policy or campaigning one. If you enjoy fieldwork, data and the idea of testing theories against real evidence, the mix of core theory, methods training and applied practice should feel like a natural fit. The year abroad element will appeal particularly to students who are excited by the prospect of adapting to a new academic environment, meeting people from different backgrounds, and stepping outside familiar routines for a sustained period rather than a brief trip. You should be comfortable with a fair amount of independence, since the degree culminates in your own project, and be ready to build professional skills alongside scientific knowledge across the four years. Most students who take this route in similar courses arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically within the 128–143 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what past entrants held rather than a fixed requirement.
Careers & job market
Across Environmental Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 65% of working graduates are in highly skilled roles or further study, according to Graduate Outcomes data. Nationally, starting salaries 15 months after graduation for this field range from £24,000 to £30,000, rising to between £21,250 and £30,000 after three years and £26,350 to £37,200 after five years, figures that reflect the national graduate population in this subject area rather than any guarantee tied to this specific course or university. It's also worth noting that, nationally, 90% of students on comparable courses continue past their first year, which gives some sense of how manageable the transition into this kind of degree tends to be. The professional skills and independent project components built into the Cardiff course are intended to prepare graduates for this kind of labour market, whether that means moving directly into environmental, scientific or related work, or continuing into further study.
University & format
Cardiff University is a public, Russell Group institution founded in 1883, with a total student body of 30,930. It is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, meaning degrees are nationally recognised, and its Russell Group membership places it among the UK's research-intensive universities. This particular course, UCAS code F643, runs full-time over four years and is taught in English, with the year abroad built into that timeframe rather than extending it further.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 88%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F643). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page. Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Cardiff University →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Environmental Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £27,500 | £24,000 – £29,500 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £25,000 | £19,500 – £28,000 | 115 |
| 5 years after | £29,500 | £25,500 – £35,000 | 120 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in environmental science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Environmental Science nationally
National figures for Environmental Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Environmental Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 560 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 35% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 30% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 60; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience with a Year of Study Abroad worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience with a Year of Study Abroad earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 27.5. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 4 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Environmental Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Environmental Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Environmental consultancies
- Environment Agency
- Energy & utilities
- NGOs & local authorities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Environmental Science graduates.
Environmental Science Graduate Leadership Scheme, HybridEnvironment AgencyRemote Environmental Science Evaluator – AI Output QAObsidianRemote Environmental Science Evaluator (Contract)MercorAssistant Professor: Ecology & Environmental Science and AISONICOMStrategic Leader, Environmental ScienceUK Research and Innovation (UKRI)Assistant Professor: Ecology, Evolution & Environmental ScienceImperial College LondonIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.3 out of 10: NSS 90.4% · in work or study 90% · continued 100%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Cardiff University
Geography, earth and environmental studies (social sciences) across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Cardiff University - Main Campus
4,125 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Environmental Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Cardiff University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Cardiff University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Cardiff University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Cardiff University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Cardiff University
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How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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