Geography master's: Programme Structure and Content
The first semester consists of four mandatory courses. During the next two semesters, you can choose elective courses from a wide selection or opt to do an internship or study abroad for one semester. During the last semester, you write your master thesis.
Year 1
Autumn semester 2025
Autumn's courses are mandatory and build the foundation of the programme.
- Urban Sustainable Development (GE5000) 7.5 credits, quartile 1
- Urban Climate and Urban Climate Planning (GE6000) 7.5 credits, quartile 2
- History of Ideas and Theory in Geography (KGA181) 7.5 credits, quartile 3
- Urban GIS (NGN230) 7.5 credits, quartile 4
Spring semester 2026
Spring's courses are electives; listed below are our recommended programme courses.
- Climate change history (GVN360) 7.5 credits, quartile 1
- Sustainable Mobility -Drivers, Challenges, Responses (KGA141) 7.5 credits, course syllabi in Swedish, quartile 2
- Internship within Geography (GE020A)15 credits, quartile 3-4
- Alternative for physical geographers (GVN470) Earth Systems, Field Course, quartile 3-4
Please contact study counselling if you are interested in doing an internship: svl@gvc.gu.se
Year 2
Autumn semester 2025
Autumn courses are electives listed below are our recommended programme courses. The exception is year 2 students (program start fall 2024) must take Urban GIS in octile 4.
- Globalization and Uneven Development (KGA122) 7.5 credits
- Climate Change in an Earth System Perspective (GVN460) 7.5 credits, quartile 2
- Open Source - GIS (NGN220) 7.5 credits, quartile 3
- Qualitative and Quantitative Geographical Method (KGA131) 7.5 credits, quartile 3
- Urban GIS (NGN230) 7.5 credits, quartile 4
- Alternative Master thesis in Geography (GEO245 or KGA245) 45 credits, quartiles 1-4
Please contact your head of program if you are interested in doing a 45-credit thesis spring 2025.
Spring semester 2026
A 45-credit thesis begins in the autumn of year 2, whereas the 30 credit thesis runs for only the spring term of year 2.
- Master’s thesis in physical geography (GEO230) 30 credits
- Master’s thesis in human geography (KGA230) 30 credits
- Master thesis in Geography (GEO245) 45 credits
- Master thesis in Geography (KGA245) 45 credits
One course at a time - how to avoid time-table clashes
The academic system in Sweden is more or less built out of taking one course at a time. It is important to avoid time-table clashes. If you are new and unfamiliar to the Swedish university system, please read the information Avoid time-table clashes (www.gu.se) so that you understand how the courses are scheduled .
Exchange opportunities
You have the possibility to study abroad in the spring of your first year or the fall of your second year. AvÐÔ°® our international coordinator for questions and advice: studyabroad@gvc.gu.se