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Postgraduate Study in Geography

    People, places and the environment.

    Geographers study the environment – both physical and human, including the physical processes that shape the natural environment, the social and cultural processes that explain patterns of human activity, and the interactions between human activity and the natural world.

    Geography also explores key environmental and development challenges, such as climate change and inequality, and the potential solutions to these problems. Geography helps us manage human activity and secure the future of our planet.

    A Geography degree at Otago will equip you with valuable research and communication skills using interdisciplinary approaches to explore environmental and societal challenges. This combination of practical skills and theoretical learning will serve you well no matter the career you choose.

    Why study Geography?

    Geography provides a bridge between the arts and the sciences, addressing issues at the local, regional, national and global scales. A Geography degree at Otago provides training through lectures and fieldwork in the environments in which we work.

    Geography papers fit well into almost any degree and the School of Geography has strong links with many other disciplines including Geology, Surveying, Agricultural Innovation and sustainability research (Centre for Sustainability).

    The mix of analytical and communication skills provided, combined with practical experience make Otago Geography graduates highly sought after in a wide range of industries.


    Are you just starting uni?

    Learn about studying Geography as an undergraduate at Otago.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Postgraduate qualifications

    Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.

    Graduate Qualifications

    Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.

    Ready to apply?

    Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    Papers
    GEOG 490 Dissertation
    Three further 400-level GEOG or DEVS papers

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Geography is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).

    Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements
    GEOG 590 Research Dissertation
    Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities
    And further:
    400-level GEOG or DEVS papers worth 60 points
     
    Papers-Only Requirements
    At least two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities
    And further:
    400-level GEOG or DEVS papers worth 120 points
    Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway.

    Papers and Thesis
    • GEOG 495 Master's Thesis Preparation

    • Four 400-level GEOG papers

    • Thesis: GEOG 5

      Note: The papers are normally taken before undertaking the thesis.

    -

    Papers

    Papers

    Papers and Thesis
    • GEOG 495 Master's Thesis Preparation

    • Four 400-level GEOG papers

    • Thesis: GEOG 5

      Note: The papers are normally taken before undertaking the thesis.

    -

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    GEOG papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    GEOG101 2025 Physical Geography 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG102 2025 Geographies of Sustainable Futures 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG201 2025 Field Research Methods 18 points Full Year
    GEOG210 2025 Social Geography 18 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    GEOG212 2025 Transformations in Developing Countries 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG214 2025 Geographies of Global Economic Change 18 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    GEOG215 2025 Envisioning Sustainable Cities 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG216 2025 Environmental Management: Principles and Values 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG219 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG228 2025 Geographies of Global Development and Sustainability 18 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    GEOG276 2025 Geographies of Contestation, Action and Change 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG278 2025 Geographies of the South Pacific 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG280 2025 Engaging with People and Place: Doing Geographical Research 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG281 2025 Topics in Physical Geography 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG282 2025 Climate Change: Present and Future 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG283 2025 Climate Change: The Past 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG284 2025 Soils and the Environment 18 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    GEOG285 2025 Southern Landscapes 12 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG286 2025 Climatology 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG287 2025 Plants, People and the Environment 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG288 2025 Rivers and Runoff 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG289 2025 Geomorphology 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG298 2025 Coastal Geomorphology 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG299 2025 Freshwater Resources: Monitoring and Management 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG301 2025 Field Research Studies 18 points Full Year
    GEOG328 2025 Geographies of Global Development and Sustainability 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG374 2025 Geographies of Global Economic Change 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG376 2025 Geographies of Contestation, Action and Change 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG378 2025 Geographies of the South Pacific 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG379 2025 Special Topic in Human Geography 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG380 2025 Field Research Studies 18 points Full Year
    GEOG381 2025 Social Geography 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG382 2025 Transformations in Developing Countries 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG384 2025 Envisioning Sustainable Cities 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG387 2025 Topics in Physical Geography 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG388 2025 Climate Change: Present and Future 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG389 2025 Climate Change: The Past 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG390 2025 Soils and the Environment 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG392 2025 Climatology 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG393 2025 Plants, People and the Environment 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG394 2025 Rivers and Runoff 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG395 2025 Geomorphology 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG397 2025 Environmental Management: Policy and Practice 18 points Semester 2
    GEOG398 2025 Coastal Geomorphology 18 points Semester 1
    GEOG399 2025 Freshwater Resources: Monitoring and Management 18 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG401 2025 Theories of Development 20 points Semester 1
    GEOG402 2025 Development Planning and Practice 20 points Semester 2
    GEOG454 2025 Alpine Geomorphology 20 points Semester 1
    GEOG457 2025 Urban Theory and Practice 20 points Semester 2
    GEOG459 2025 Biogeography 20 points Semester 2
    GEOG460 2025 Climatology 20 points Semester 1
    GEOG461 2025 Mountain Hydrology 20 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG463 2025 Geographies of Justice 20 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG464 2025 An Approved Course in Geography 20 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    GEOG465 2025 Special Topic in Geography 20 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG470 2025 A Research Topic in Geography 40 points Full Year
    GEOG471 2025 Impact Assessment and Sustainability 20 points Not offered in 2025
    GEOG472 2025 Developments in Environmental Management 20 points Semester 1
    GEOG474 2025 Coastal Management 20 points Semester 2
    GEOG490 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year
    GEOG495 2025 Master's Thesis Preparation 40 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)
    GEOG536 2025 Toitū te Taiao: Planning in a Māori Context 30 points Semester 2
    GEOG590 2025 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)

    Contacts

    School of Geography
    Email  geography@otago.ac.nz
    Web  otago.ac.nz/geography


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