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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | Elective course | ||
| 2. semester | Choose 2x5 credits method courses? | Elective course | |
| 1. semester | ?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 creditsSOSGEO4000 – Introduction to advanced research methods ?10 credits
and minimum two of the following:
SOSGEO4011 ?5 creditsSOSGEO4012 – Interactive qualitative methods ?5 creditsSOSGEO4013 – Analytical strategies in qualitative research ?5 creditsSOSGEO4021 – Applied quantitative data analysis ?5 creditsSOSGEO4022 ?5 creditsSOSGEO4023 – 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 HGO4302 – Transformations to sustainability 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 HGO4040 – Individual reading list ?This course can not be chosen the first term.?
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.
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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:
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- 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ?SOSGEO4000 – Introduction to advanced research methods? | Elective course | |
| Credits | 10 credits | 10 credits | 10 credits |
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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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | Elective course | ||
| 2. semester | Elective course | ||
| 1. semester | 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 – Urban social geography and urban policies HGO4203 – Sustainable Urban Transformations HGO4301 – The Social Dimensions of Environmental Change HGO4302 – Transformations to sustainability 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 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:
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- 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | Elective course / study abroad | Elective course / study abroad | Elective course / study abroad |
| 2. semester | Elective course | Elective course | |
| 1. semester | 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
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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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | Specialization course | ||
| 2. semester | Elective course | ||
| 1. semester | 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
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.
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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.
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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 (discontinued) HGO4201 – Urban geographical theory (discontinued) SOSGEO4170 – Migration & Diversity: Perspectives across Asia and Europe SOSGEO4250 – Global Cities
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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.
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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.
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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.