Physical Geography and Oceanography

The land borders the ocean via the coastal zone. Understanding how these environments are related to each other is important for many societal and economic reasons, and requires an integrated approach to the subject, as most of the world’s population lives near, or exploits, the coastal zone. This course will give you research-led teaching of both terrestrial (rivers, glaciers) and marine (waves, tides, density currents, sea level) processes. These processes control the movement of water, sediment and biogeochemical components, such as carbon from the land into the sea. This course also integrates these process to examine the impacts of environmental change, climate, sea level and pollution on the health and sustainability of terrestrial and marine environments.

We place a particular emphasis on developing knowledge and skills, including field, lab and computer-based techniques, of direct relevance to industry, particularly in relation to issues such as future climate change, sea level rise, marine pollution, and exploitation of marine renewable energy.

Situated next to the Menai Strait and Irish Sea, our location provides a rich context to your studies. You will observe the ocean and seabed on our £3.5 million ocean-going research ship, using state-of-the-art technology and sub-sea instruments in its onboard laboratories. Local fieldwork on the coasts and in the estuaries of North Wales will link climate change with coastal erosion, flood risk and water quality. You will also join field trips to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and the UNESCO designated GeoMôn Global Geopark – one of the world’s top geosites.

‘Placement Year’ and 'International Experience Year’ options are available for this course. You will have the opportunity to fully consider these options when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto such a pathway at the appropriate time. You can find more information about these options on our website and if you have any questions, please get in touch.

If you don’t have the required qualifications for this degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you. Please see Geological Oceanography (with Foundation Year) F62F.

Make lifelong friends and build a future you can be proud of at Bangor University.

You’ll benefit from high quality teaching, expert support and a friendly learning environment at a top 20 UK university (Uni Compare Rankings 2027), while gaining real world experience through work placements and opportunities to study abroad. With accommodation guaranteed for all Clearing applicants, you can settle in quickly and start making the most of university life from day one.

Bangor’s stunning campus and close knit community make it easy to feel at home. Meet friends at Bar Uno, Pontio or Barlows, stay active at Brailsford Sports Centre, or learn in specialist facilities including a Natural History Museum, Botanic Garden, research ship, replica courtroom and fully equipped media centre.

Set between the mountains and the sea, with excellent transport links and a low cost of living, Bangor offers an outstanding student experience where you can belong, grow in confidence and shape your future. It’s time to make Bangor your new home!