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 |
Credits | 10 credits | 10 credits | 10 credits |
Method and methodology courses (20 credits)
- HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography
- HGO4010 – Qualitative method or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis or SOS4020 – Kvantitativ metode
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:
- HGO4202 – Urbanism - urban policies and planning
- HGO4203 – Sustainable Urban Transformations
- HGO4301 – The Social Dimensions of Environmental Change
- HGO4302 – Transformations to sustainability
- HGO4401 – Democratization and civil society in developing countries
- HGO4501 – Development
- HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions
- HGO4604 – The futures of work
- HGO4020 – HGO Internship
- HGO4040 – Individual reading list This course can not be chosen the first term.
- SOSGEO4801 – Social movements
- SOSGEO4250 – Global Cities
60 credits master's thesis
Fieldwork/data collection starts in the second semester. Work on the master’s thesis gradually increases from the second semester onwards.
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.
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 | ||
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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 |
Credits | 10 credits | 10 credits | 10 credits |
Suggestions for courses combinations to meet your field of interest (in code order; courses can change):
Climate Change Adaptation, Environment and Social Transformations
- HGO4203 – Sustainable urban transformations
- HGO4301 – The Social Dimensions of Environmental Change
- HGO4302 – Transformations to Sustainability
- HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions
- HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions
- HGO4604 – The futures of work
For students who started 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 |
Credits | 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
- HGO4203 – Sustainable Urban Transformations
- HGO4301 – The Social Dimensions of Environmental Change
- HGO4302 – Transformations to sustainability
- HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions
Development and Politics
Economic and Labour Geography
- HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions
- HGO4604 – The futures of work
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.
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.
Discontinued courses
- SOSGEO4800 – Cultural differences, cultural change and the rise of populism (continued)
- HGO4240 – CityStudio Oslo (discontinued)
- HGO4403 – Political geographies of work (discontinued)
- HGO4605 – Transformations in the global economy: value chains and production networks
- HGO4201 – Urban geographical theory
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.
Quality system for educational activities at UiO
Study programs and courses are regularly evaluated to ensure and enhance the quality of education.
All course and program evaluations can be found here.
Diploma and degree
The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.