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.
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)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Geography
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures | 18 18 |
| 200-level | GEOG 280 Engaging with People and Place: Doing Geographical Research Two further 200-level GEOG papers (excluding GEOG 201) | 18 36 |
| 300-level | GEOG 380 Field Research Studies Three further 300-level GEOG papers | 18 54 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Geography
| Papers |
|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Geography
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)).
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Geography
| Papers |
|---|
|
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Geography
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Geography or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Geography must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Geography prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Geography
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures STAT 110 Statistical Methods | 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | GEOG 201 Field Research Methods (Science) At least one of GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 298, GEOG 299 One further 200-level GEOG paper (excluding GEOG 280) | 18 18 |
| 300-level | GEOG 301 Field Research Studies Two of GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 398, GEOG 399 One further 300-level GEOG paper | 18 36 |
| Plus | 180 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science | 180 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Geography
| Papers |
|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Geography
| Papers |
|---|
|
Master of Science (MSc) in Geography
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
|
Minor subject requirements
Geography (Arts option) as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures | 18 18 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level GEOG papers (excluding GEOG 201) | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level GEOG paper (excluding GEOG 301, GEOG 380) | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Geography (Science option) as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures | 18 18 |
| 200-level | Two of GEOG 201, GEOG 216, GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 285, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 298, GEOG 299 | 36 |
| 300-level | One of GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 397, GEOG 398, GEOG 399 | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
Key information for future students
Contact us
School of Geography
Email geography@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/geography
