Geography University of Otago

Overview

The Geography programme at the University of Otago provides a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationships between people and their natural environments. Students engage with critical global issues such as climate change, social inequality, and sustainable urban development through a multidisciplinary lens.

The School of Geography is recognised for its strong sense of community and research-led teaching approach. Based in Dunedin, the institution offers students immediate access to diverse geographical features, including stunning coastlines and unique rural landscapes. This setting serves as a living laboratory for academic discovery.

Learning at this institution is highly flexible, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests in either physical or human geography.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: NZD 46960 per year
• National fee: NZD 10891 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Physical Geography
• Geographies of Sustainable Futures
• Field Research Methods
• Social Geography
• Transformations in Developing Countries
• Geographies of Global Economic Change
• Envisioning Sustainable Cities
• Environmental Management: Principles and Values
• Geographies of Global Development and Sustainability
• Environmental Management: Policy and Practice
• Global Development: Theory and Practice
• Alpine Geomorphology
• Urban Theory and Practice
• Biogeography
• Mountain Hydrology
• Geographies of Justice
• Impact Assessment and Sustainability
• Developments in Environmental Management
• Coastal Management
• Toitū te Taiao: Planning in a Māori Context

Careers with Geography

Graduates are prepared for professional roles where spatial analysis and environmental insights are essential. Many find employment as policy analysts within central government agencies or as environmental scientists for regional councils and consultancy firms. These roles focus on monitoring and managing ecological changes.

Other career pathways include working as community or indigenous development specialists and urban planners. Graduates also contribute to non-governmental organisations and research institutes, focusing on improving sustainability and addressing social inequalities in both urban and rural environments.