Darllenwch y dudalen hon yng Nghymraeg

How do I apply for a degree at Swansea?

Applications should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Your School or College will normally advise you in the application process. Further information is available from the UCAS web site www.ucas.com. Overseas applicants should visit www.swan.ac.uk/international

Where can I find out more about studying Geography at Swansea?

You should be able to find out most of what you want from this web site. A brochure about studying Geography at Swansea can be downloaded from this site, or we will send you a copy if you contact the Geography Admissions Tutor. If you have any further questions, please contact the Geography Admissions Team by mail, email or phone.

What A level subjects will I need to study Geography?

This depends on the degree scheme you are applying for. For our BA/BSc Geography schemes we prefer applicants to take Geography at A level. Beyond that, Geography is such a broad subject that the subjects you take are much less important than your ability in them. For Physical Geography, Geo-Informatics and Physical Earth Science we prefer you to study at least two Science subjects or Geography and another Science; Geography is not essential. For Human Geography, Geography at A level can be replaced by a related subject such as Sociology or World Development.

I’m not taking A level Geography. Is there any point in me applying?

Yes, definitely. Our degree schemes allow students considerable flexibility in their choice of courses, and in some aspects of geographical study ability in science, mathematics or social sciences is as important as a background in Geography. We do not require an A level in Geography for the schemes in Human Geography, Physical Geography, Physical Earth Science or Geo-Informatics. If you are uncertain, contact the Geography Admissions Team before submitting your UCAS form.

What A level grades will I need? What are your entry requirements?

We aim for all our entrants to achieve ABB points from 3 A levels (or a combination of A and AS levels, or equivalent qualifications).

We normally expect applicants to achieve at least a B in an appropriate subject, such as: Geography or (for Physical Geography and Physical Earth Science) Geology, Environmental Science or another Science or (for Human Geography) Sociology or World Development or (for Geo-Informatics) any Science subject.

General Studies and Key Skills can normally not be included in the offer.

We recognise the Welsh Baccalaureate and welcome applicants from routes other than A level, such as the International Baccalaureate.

We recognise that some students do much better at University than they have in school or college. We examine all applications carefully and give very serious consideration to applicants who expect to achieve results below this preferred standard, particularly if they are strong in Geography or have additional qualifications. If you are uncertain whether or not to apply to Swansea in the light of your predicted A level grades, please contact the Geography Admissions Team before submitting your UCAS form.

Are there any other entry requirements for the University?

In addition to the preferred entry requirements for each subject you will normally need Grade C or above in GCSE English Language to satisfy the University’s entry requirements.

I plan to take a Gap Year. What should I do and when should I apply?

The UCAS system allows you to apply for study commencing in the September after you apply or, if you plan to take a Gap Year, in the following year (known as deferred entry). At Swansea Geography we will treat both types of application equally. This means you could have your place at University confirmed before your Gap Year.

What happens after I submit my application?

Your application will be transmitted from UCAS to the Admissions Office at Swansea University and from there to the Geography Department. We will write to you within a few days of receiving your UCAS form. In most cases, we will make an offer when we receive your form, and invite you to visit us. In some cases, we may need to hold your application for a longer period before making a decision, in which case we will let you know.

How can I visit the University and the Department?

We encourage all applicants to visit the Department of Geography at Swansea University. We think it is important for you to see the places you have applied to, and talk to staff and students before choosing where you will spend 3 years living and studying. It is important that you feel you will fit in comfortably at the place where you choose to study for a degree. There are two main opportunities for you to visit: University Open Days and UCAS Visit Days. If you want further information, please contact the Geography Admissions Team.

What are Open Days?

Swansea University holds three Open Days between July and October. These are open to anyone, whether or not you have applied to Swansea. They are mainly intended forsixth-formers who will be applying to University in the autumn. Family and friends are welcome. You can ask questions of staff and students at an Information Fair. Activities in the Geography Department in the morning and afternoon comprise a talk about Studying Geography at Swansea, followed by guided tours of the Department with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and demonstrations of some of our facilities. General information talks, campus tours, visits to student accommodation and tours of the sports facilities take place throughout the day.

What are Visit Days?

Once your UCAS application has been received by the Geography Department, you will be invited to attend a UCAS Visit Day on a Wednesday between December and March. Family members are welcome to accompany you.

At Visit Days the Student Recruitment Office organises transport from car parks and from the station, plus a full programme of general talks (about funding, student life, accommodation), campus tours, visits to student accommodation and tours of the sports facilities. If you want to take part in these activities you should arrive in the morning. The Geography programme begins at 2.00 pm with a talk about Studying Geography at Swansea, followed by a tour of the Department with postgraduate and undergraduate students, demonstrations of our facilities, and a meeting with a member of staff. Full details and a programme of activities will be sent out with invitations to Visit Days after we receive your application.

I will have to stay overnight to come to a Visit Day. Can you advise me where to stay?

Click here for a list of local bed-and-breakfast and hotel accommodation.

Why should I visit the University?

If you apply for a degree you will be spending three years studying in a new environment. For many students this is their first experience of living away from home. You will meet new people, many of whom will remain firm friends for life, and you will experience all sorts of new opportunities. It is important that you choose a place and a degree scheme in which you can settle comfortably and easily. The best way for you to judge this is by visiting the place and talking to staff and students. We think we provide our students with an excellent education and overall student experience. Swansea is an attractive city to live and study. The department and its staff and students are enthusiastic about geography and provide a friendly, supportive environment in which students can achieve their full academic potential whilst enjoying the other opportunities offered by student life. You must judge for yourself whether you agree with us!

I came to a University Open Day in the summer. Do I need to attend a Visit Day as well?

We will normally process your application and make you an offer as soon as we receive your UCAS form. If you have already attended an Open Day, you will be welcome to come to one of our Visit Days if you want to visit again.

I have been invited to a Visit Day. I want to attend, but can’t come on the date(s) I have been invited. What should I do?

Contact the Geography Admissions Team.

How will I find out if you have made me an offer and what offer you have made?

We will write to tell you we have made you an offer, a few days after we receive your UCAS form. You will find out the details of the offer through UCAS.

What are conditional and unconditional offers?

If you still have to take your A levels you are likely to receive a conditional offer. This will say how many points we would like you to achieve in order to accept you for a place to study here. If you meet the conditions of the offer when results are published in the summer, you will be guaranteed a place on the scheme you have applied for. If you already have your A levels you may receive an unconditional offer, meaning that we will accept you with those qualifications.

I haven’t heard anything from you; what should I do?

We aim to acknowledge receipt of your UCAS form within a few days of receiving it. We make offers through UCAS at this stage, and will write to you with an invitation to one of our Visit Days. If you think we have not replied within a reasonable time, please contact the Geography Admissions Team.

I don’t understand the offer you have made me. What should I do?

Examine your offer carefully and consult the UCAS web site (www.ucas.com) to check which qualifications you can include towards the offer. If you are still uncertain, please contact the Geography Admissions Team.

I have received an offer from you. What do I do next?

Study hard to achieve the best grades you can in your A levels! Once you have received offers from all the courses you have applied to, you will have to choose one of them as your firm choice and one as your insurance choice. UCAS sets a deadline by which you must make this decision. We hope you will want to come to Swansea to study Geography and will make us your firm choice. When the examination results are published, if you meet the offer you have been made by your firm choice, you will be accepted for that course. If you have any further questions after you have received an offer from us, contact the Geography Admissions Team.

What happens when the A level results are published?

If you meet the offer you have been made you will be guaranteed a place to study at Swansea. The University will contact you with details about registration, enrolment and accommodation, and the Geography Department will contact you in early September with information about the courses you will be studying.

What will happen if I don’t meet the terms of a conditional offer?

When examination results are published in the summer, we will consider whether or not to accept you onto the course you have applied for. Our decision will depend on several factors, including how many people have already been accepted onto the course and how many places remain, how far adrift you were from the offer we made you, and your grades in specific subjects. If you are not accepted by your firm choice, you may be accepted by your insurance choice. If your insurance choice does not accept you, you can enter into the Clearing system, operated by UCAS, through which you can make contact with institutions and courses that have places available and may accept your qualifications.