Study Geography at Otago

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.

Background required

There are no subjects you have to have done in order to study Geography – you don’t even need to have studied it at school.

Career opportunities

Geography graduates work in the public and private sectors. Their skills and interdisciplinary outlook prepare them for a diverse range of careers.

Central government departments, state-owned enterprises, local government,  private corporations and consultancies employ Geography graduates in areas such as regional and resource planning, environmental management, natural resources (especially water) analysis, social and economic research, social services and regional development.

Geography at Otago

Geography may be taken as the major subject for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or for the Bachelor of Science (BSc). In addition, many students enrol for undergraduate papers in Geography while pursing other studies, including Law, Commerce, Humanities, Ecology, Geology, Surveying, Physical Education, Tourism, and Education.

The undergraduate programme provides a firm grounding in the social, economic and physical aspects of the environment. The study of Geography falls into three main areas:

Human Geography in which students focus on issues of urban and economic change, uneven development, social themes like ethnicity, childhood and gender, geopolitical conflict and the human use of natural resources.

Physical Geography in which students focus on physical geography, including earth surface processes and their expression in the landscape, the Earth’s weather systems and climates, factors which lead to geographic variations in the distribution and growth of living things, and environmental controls on the availability and quality of water.

Environmental Management in which students gain a theoretical and practical understanding of environmental processes such as climatology, geomorphology, biogeography, hydrology and soil science. This area incorporates sustainable development, integrated resource management and environmental planning and policy.

Both BA and BSc Geography students can mix papers from across the discipline to build an applied environmental management programme within the Geography degree. It is also possible to take Environmental Management as a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) degree.

Teaching style

Geography papers are taught in a range of ways. Students attend lectures, tutorials and labs, and gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and practical courses in research methods.

Further study

The School of Geography offers an honours programme. Postgraduate studies include the Master of Planning, Master of International Development and Planning, Master of Arts, Master of Science, postgraduate diplomas, and a strong PhD programme.

Qualifications

Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
• Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
• Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
• Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
• Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
• Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Key information for future students

• Domestic students
• International students

Contact us

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

This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2022 Calendar and supplementary material.