Physical Geography, Ph.D.
COURSE OVERVIEW
You will undertake an individual physical geography research project over two years (MPhil) or three years (PhD), supported by our widely respected academic staff:
- Predicting and mitigating water pollution risk from wildfire ash – Professor Stefan Doerr is a leading authority on wildfire impact.
- Predicting ice rifts - Professor Adrian Luckman received international press coverage for his research on the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica and his predictions of its calving.
- Professor Siwan Davies’ work focuses on establishing why climate has changed dramatically and abruptly in the past 100,000 years. Siwan recently made a television documentary on the effects of present climate change in Uganda, Costa Rica and California.
- Professor Tavi Murray, the first woman to be awarded the Polar Medal by HM queen for outstanding service to polar research.
- Professor Peter North who received global media coverage for his work with NASA on the Amazon and Climate Change.
Our current research groups include:
- Environmental Dynamics
- Glaciology
- Global Environmental Modelling and Earth Observation
- Migration, Boundaries and Identity
- Social Theory and Urban Space
In the latest Research Assessment Exercise, 95% of Geography research at Swansea was judged to be of international quality, and 60% was regarded as world-leading or internationally excellent.
- Geography at Swansea achieved UK Top Ten for research impact [Research Excellence Framework 2014]
- UK Top 20 for research quality [Times & Sunday Times University Guide 2019]
- Top 75 in the world [51-75 (out of 200) in the new Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2017]
- World ranked in the top 250 [QS World University Rankings 2017]
Career Opportunities
Having a PhD demonstrates that graduates can work effectively in a team, formulate, explore and communicate complex ideas and manage advanced tasks. Jobs in academia (eg postdoctoral research, lecturing), education, government, management, the public or private sector are possible. Examples include administrators, counsellors, marketing specialists, scientific consultants, scientists, and, researchers.
The Postgraduate Research Office Skills Development Team offer support and a training framework for example in creating a researcher profile based upon publications and setting up your own business. The Swansea Employability Academy assists students in future career opportunities, improving CVs, job applications and interview skills.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.