Environmental Geoscience

Environmental geoscience addresses the relationship between the geological processes that shape the Earth and the environmental systems that sustain life on its surface. It is a discipline built on the understanding that the land, water, and atmosphere do not exist independently of each other, and that human pressures on the environment can only be understood and managed with a grounding in how the Earth works at the deepest levels.

At Cardiff University you will study the science of rocks, soils, minerals, and geological structures alongside hydrology, climatology, soil science, and environmental chemistry. You will develop skills in fieldwork, laboratory analysis, remote sensing, and GIS, and learn to apply them to questions about land degradation, water quality, natural hazards, resource management, and the environmental impacts of human activity. Fieldwork is central to geoscience education, and you will engage with real landscapes and geological features alongside the theoretical content of your modules.

This three-year full-time programme is taught in the context of Cardiff's strong research activity in earth and environmental sciences, and the proximity of diverse geological environments in Wales and the wider UK provides rich opportunities for field-based learning. You will develop quantitative and analytical skills that are transferable to a wide range of professional contexts.

Graduates go on to careers in environmental consultancy, water and waste management, the extractive industries, civil engineering and geotechnical work, environmental regulation and policy, international development, and research. The combination of geological understanding and environmental science is particularly valued in roles concerned with natural hazard assessment, land remediation, and sustainable resource management. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in environmental science, hydrogeology, or engineering geology.