Society, Environment and Global Change, MSc

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Key Course Details

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): 2:1
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees
Sep 2025	£ 10,150

MSc 1 Year Full Time

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: 2:1 - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees
Sep 2025	£ 21,550

Society, Environment and Global Change, MSc

Social and cultural perspectives on global challenges

Course Overview

This Master’s programme will offer social and cultural perspective on questions of environmental and other global change taking place in the world around us. It will offer students a range of theoretical approaches and methodological tools from human geography and the social sciences to learn how to address multiple and cross-cutting crises, ranging from migration to climate change, human security to global inequality.

Why Society, Environment and Global Change at Swansea?

Top 201-250 in the World for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings 2024)
90% of our research outputs have been recognised as world-leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
100% of the environment was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

You will be taught by a range of inspiring experts in human geography and the climate crisis.

Your Society, Environment and Global Change Experience

The programme offers a route into studying the social and cultural dynamics of pressing global issues (e.g. climate change, political shifts, urbanisation, inequalities). It is suitable for students who are about to graduate, or who have recently gained a degree in a related subject. It is also suitable for mature students with professional experience, keen to enhance their knowledge and understanding of real-world issues.

Rachel Suhs, Postgraduate Geography Student Experience

"Coming to Swansea from Alabama was definitely a bit scary and a leap of faith, but the Geography Department here and my professors and peers in my course have made me feel very welcome. I’ve really enjoyed learning about the dominant theories and debates within the realm of Human Geography, especially when it comes to climate change. It has been challenging, but rewarding, to shift my mindset from an earth science background to a course that explores global changes and crises using tools ranging from human geography to GIS to the social sciences."

An organised walk to examine climate, racial and social justice in Swansea. Led by artist Owen Griffiths, Director Ways of Working. See more photos here.

Society, Environment and Global Change Employment Opportunities

Graduates from this programme will go on to work in careers including with the civil service, non-governmental international organisations, charity sector, think tanks and media, and in fields including social research, sustainability, the environment, inequality, education and urban regeneration.

Modules

This programme includes two flagship and compulsory modules titled, 'Crisis and Global Change' and 'Society-Environment Relations'. Both are taught in term 1, and provide a grounding in social theory, as well as in geography, politics and culture. Both are taught by Human Geography staff in small group seminars, where the emphasis is on student-staff discussion and learning through examples from the world around us.

In term 2, all students follow a compulsory module in 'Qualitative Research Methods' which prepares them for the dissertation. The dissertation is formed of independent research work on a current topic, broadly related to the themes of environment, society and global change. Students are encouraged and supported to carry out fieldwork and seek external partnerships, where relevant. This work is supported through peer-to-peer as well as individual supervisory meetings.

Alongside these compulsory modules, students are free to select modules from a carefully curated list of options offered by the Politics, Philosophy and International Relations and History departments at Swansea University. Typically, popular options include, 'Violence, Conflict and Development', 'Critical Security Studies', 'Climate Science and Policy', 'Geographical Information Systems', and 'Heritage, Law and Conflict'.

Year 1 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Qualitative Research Methods	Academic Year	20	GEGM15
Dissertation Pre-requisite Module (Society, Environment and Global Change)	Academic Year	0	GEGM20P
Society-Environment Relations	September-January (TB1)	20	GEGM28
Crisis and Global Change	September-January (TB1)	20	GEGM29

Optional Modules

Optional

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Environmental Dynamics	September-January (TB1)	20	GEGM07
Geographical Information Systems	September-January (TB1)	20	GEGM22
Violence, Conflict and Development	September-January (TB1)	20	PO-M64
Contemporary Rural Britain	January-June (TB2)	20	GEGM30

AND

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEGM16 is not compulsory however it is strongly recommended that students select this module.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Advanced Research in Human Geography	January-June (TB2)	20	GEGM16
Climate Science and Policy	January-June (TB2)	20	GEGM26
Violent Geographies	January-June (TB2)	20	GEGM31
Critical Security Studies: Issues and Approaches in Contemporary Security	January-June (TB2)	20	PO-M60

Year 2 (Level 7D)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Dissertation	September-June (TB1+2)	60	GEGM20

Entry Requirements

You should hold or expect to achieve a minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1), or equivalent, in a related social-science subject or hold relevant work experience. Background in Geography is not a requirement, and we welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds in the Humanities and/or Sciences that have demonstrated an interest in the programme's themes.

If you hold a qualification from a non-UK institution please see our academic entry requirements.

If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification to make sure you get the full benefit from studying at Swansea. We consider a wide range of qualifications, including the Swansea University English Test, the British Council IELTS test (with a score of at least 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each component). More information can be found here.

Applicants to this programme would normally be expected to meet the minimum entry requirements indicated above. The College/School reserves the right to ask for higher academic grades and qualifications. Admissions decisions take into account not only prior academic qualifications, but also factors including the standard of the research synopsis/proposal submitted by the applicant, their performance at interview (if required), intensity of competition for limited places and relevant professional experience (where appropriate).

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

How You're Taught

Taught Masters degrees are assessed through a combination of examinations, coursework and a dissertation or research project.

Sample module: GEGM29 Crisis and Global Change

This module asks:

How do some crises appear more visible than others?
How do crises impact people and place unevenly?
What does crises reveal about broader dynamics of power, identity, inequality and violence?

How this module is taught:

2-hour weekly meetings in Term 1 (Oct-Dec), combining a 1-hour lecture and 1-hour seminar
Seminars involve discussion and (optional) presentations led by the students and including guest visitors
Assessment is 1 x 4,000 word essay, with essay surgery to discuss idea with the lecturers
Taught by Dr Angharad Closs Stephens and Dr Richard Smith

Welsh Provision

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Meet Your Lecturers

Dr Amanda Rogers

Professor Marcus Doel

Professor Sergei Shubin

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2024	£ 9,650	£ 20,500
September 2025	£ 10,150	£ 21,550

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

https://www.jamespantyfedwen.cymru/

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

How to Apply

Please apply through the University’s central application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.