Programme structure

 

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

• methodology and methods  (30 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	Choose 2x5 credits method courses	Elective course	HGO4090 – Master Thesis 60 Credits
1. semester	HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography	SOSGEO4000 – Introduction to advanced research methods	Elective course
Credits	10 credits	10 credits	10 credits

Method and methodology courses (30 credits)

• HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography 10 credits
• SOSGEO4000 – Introduction to advanced research methods 10 credits

and minimum two of the following:

• SOSGEO4011 – Desk-based qualitative methods 5 credits
• SOSGEO4012 – Interactive qualitative methods 5 credits
• SOSGEO4013 – Analytical strategies in qualitative research 5 credits
• SOSGEO4021 – Applied quantitative data analysis 5 credits
• SOSGEO4022 – Advanced regression analysis 5 credits
• SOSGEO4023 – Advanced spatial analysis 5 credits

Qualitative and quantitative method courses from other universities, corresponding to 20 credits at master’s level, may be approved upon application.

Elective courses (40 credits)

You choose among these courses:

• HGO4202 – Urban social geography and urban policies
• HGO4203 – Sustainable Urban Transformations
• HGO4301 – The Social Dimensions of Environmental Change
• HGO4401 – Autocratization, democratization and civil society in the Global South
• HGO4501 – Development
• HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions
• HGO4604 – The futures of work
• HGO4020 – HGO Internship
• SOSGEO4031 – Literature review and research communication

• SOSGEO4801 – Social movements

   

   

   

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
3. semester	Elective course / study abroad	Elective course / study abroad	Elective course / study abroad
2. semester	Choose 2x5 credits method courses	Elective course	Elective course
1. semester	HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography	SOSGEO4000 – Introduction to advanced research methods	Elective course
Credits	10 credits	10 credits	10 credits

 

 

For students who started in 2024 og 2025

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 (discontinued) or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis (discontinued)	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 (discontinued) or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis (discontinued)  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 – Urban social geography and urban policies
• HGO4203 – Sustainable Urban Transformations
• HGO4301 – The Social Dimensions of Environmental Change
• HGO4401 – Autocratization, democratization and civil society in the Global South
• HGO4501 – Development
• HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions
• HGO4604 – The futures of work
• HGO4020 – HGO Internship

• SOSGEO4801 – Social movements

   

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
3. semester	Elective course / study abroad	Elective course / study abroad	Elective course / study abroad
2. semester	HGO4010 – Qualitative method (discontinued) or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis (discontinued)	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):

Urban studies and Planning

• HGO4202 – Urbanism - urban policies and planning
• HGO4203 – Sustainable urban transformations 

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

Development and Politics

• HGO4401 – Democratization and civil society in developing countries
• HGO4501 – Development

Economic and Labour Geography

• 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:
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • Climate Change Adaptation and Social Transformations
  • Development and Politics
  • Economic and Labour Geography

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 (discontinued) or HGO4941 – Advanced Spatial Data Analysis (discontinued)	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

• HGO4202 – Urban social geography and urban policies
• HGO4203 – Sustainable Urban Transformations 

Climate Change Adaptation and Social Transformations

• HGO4203 – Sustainable Urban Transformations 
• HGO4301 – The Social Dimensions of Environmental Change
• HGO4302 – evaluate[course-name-en]: First argument is NULL (discontinued) 
• HGO4601 – Economic geography: Institutions, evolution and sustainability transitions

Development and Politics

• HGO4401 – Autocratization, democratization and civil society in the Global South
• HGO4501 – Development

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.

 

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.

 

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.