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.
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.
Learn about studying Geography as an undergraduate at Otago.
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.
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.
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
A coursework degree with an optional research dissertation component, usually completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options, the MSc may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Compare programmes for this subject.
Papers |
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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 |
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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 |
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View a list of all related papers below.
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) |
School of Geography
Email geography@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/geography
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