Programme structure
The following overview is for students starting autumn 2026.
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 5 credits
- SOSGEO4012 – Interactive qualitative methods 5 credits
- SOSGEO4013 – Analytical strategies in qualitative research 5 credits
- SOSGEO4021 – Applied quantitative data analysis 5 credits
- SOSGEO4022 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 – 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
- SOSGEO4170 – Migration & Diversity: Perspectives across Asia and Europe
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 | |||