Programme structure

The master programme runs over four semesters (120 credits). The programme consists of:

methodology and methods (20 credits)
elective courses
master’s thesis (30 or 60 credits)

Human Geography with 60 credits master's thesis

4. semester	HGO4090 – Master Thesis 60 Credits
3. semester	Elective course	HGO4090 – Master Thesis 60 Credits
2. semester	HGO4010 – Qualitative method or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis	Elective course	HGO4090 – Master Thesis 60 Credits
1. semester	HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography	Elective course/ SOS4020 – Kvantitativ metode	Elective course
	10 credits	10 credits	10 credits

Method and methodology courses (20 credits)

Qualitative and quantitative method courses from other universities, corresponding to 10 credits at master’s level, may be approved upon application.

Elective courses (40 credits)

You choose among these courses:

For students starting in 2023 or before

The master programme runs over four semesters (120 credits). The programme consists of:

methodology and methods (20 credits)
specialization and elective courses
master’s thesis (30 or 60 credits)

In the beginning of the second semester you either choose

a study in General Human Geography or
one of four thematic specializations:

Thematic specializations with 60 credits master's thesis

4. semester	HGO4090 – Master Thesis 60 Credits
3. semester	Specialization course	HGO4090 – Master Thesis 60 Credits
2. semester	HGO4010 – Qualitative method or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis	Elective course	HGO4090 – Master Thesis 60 Credits
1. semester	HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography	Specialization course	Elective course/ SOS4020 – Kvantitativ metode
	10 credits	10 credits	10 credits

Specialization courses (20 credits)

You choose two mandatory courses from your chosen specialization:

Urban studies and Planning

Climate Change Adaptation and Social Transformations

Development and Politics

Economic and Labour Geography

Elective courses (20 credits)

In addition to the above, you need to take two courses (20 credits) from your own or the other specializations. See the list of elective courses above.

Discontinued courses

Courses offered can be subject to change, please check for updates.

Other relevant courses for up to 10 credits may be approved upon application to the student advisor (by email). This includes theory courses at master’s level in sociology, which are approved without application. Contact the student advisor for further information.

60 credits master's thesis

Field work/data collection starts in the second semester. Work on the master’s thesis gradually increases from the second semester onwards.

Human Geography with 30 credits master's thesis

If you write a 30 credits master's thesis, you need to take 30 credits of additional course work. You can choose between the following options:

30 extra credits of elective courses from the list above or
up to 30 credits of study abroad in the 3rd semester or
up to 30 credits from other UiO programmes or other Norwegian universities relevant for your master thesis.

Please contact the student advisor for courses outside the Department of Sociology and Human Geography at UiO.

4. semester	HGO4080 – Master Thesis 30 Credits
3. semester	Elective course / study abroad	Elective course / study abroad	Elective course / study abroad
2. semester	HGO4010 – Qualitative method or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis	Elective course	Elective course
1. semester	HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography	Elective course/ SOS4020 – Kvantitativ metode	Elective course
	10 credits	10 credits	10 credits

Suggestions for courses combinations to meet your field of interest (in code order; courses can change):

Urban studies and Planning

Climate Change Adaptation, Environment and Social Transformations

Development and Politics

Economic and Labour Geography

Progress requirements

The nominal length of study of the master’s degree programme is two years. If you need longer, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the guidelines for retaining admission to your study programme.

Note that if you take longer than the standard two years, changes may occur in the structure of the programme and you may have to take more than 120 credits in order to be awarded the degree

Discover Your Future

Through the master's degree, you will be offered a complete programme to make it easier for you to discover your opportunities along the way and to make way for good choices later. Discover your future consists of four courses, one for each semester of the master's degree. The courses consist of a combination of four e-learning modules in Canvas, which you can take as you see fit, as well as some physical workshops where you get the opportunity to work on the various topics.

Honours certificate

Are you academically ambitious? It is possible to supplement your master`s degree with an honours certificate worth 20 credits. You take the certificate concurrently with the master`s programme.

Diploma and degree

The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.

Published Aug. 24, 2016 2:20 PM - Last modified Dec. 6, 2023 1:50 PM