Master Geography

Planet Earth and its diverse living environments are at the heart of Geography studies at the University of Zurich. How do humans and the environment interact? What relationships exist between humans and space? With their knowledge of natural sciences, social sciences and computer science, geography students bring interdisciplinary expertise to project teams to successfully address pressing issues.

As Switzerland's largest geography department, we offer students a wide variety of topics and specialisation options. The approximately 620 major students can specialise according to their interests during their studies and benefit from the particular strengths of geographical research in Zurich. These include the diverse fields of remote sensing and geographic information science, physical geography with a focus on snow and ice as well as soil and water, and human geography, which focuses on globalisation processes and North-South relations.

Excursions, small research projects, laboratory exercises and internships enable students to apply the knowledge they have learned in a practical way right from the very beginning of their studies.

The programme can be completed as a single-subject programme (180 credits) or as a major programme (120 credits with a 60-credit minor or 150 credits with a 30-credit minor). We recommend taking a minor of at least 30 credits in another subject.

The following specialisations are available within the geography programme:

• Remote sensing and geographic information science: UZH offers one of the broadest programmes in Switzerland in this field.
• Physical geography: At UZH, this specialisation focuses on snow and ice as well as soil and water.
• Human geography: The focus is on globalisation processes and North-South relations.
   

The programme is suitable for individuals who are interested in the Earth, its processes, and the interaction between nature and society. Spatial relationships are central to this field of study. At UZH, we offer a broad education, particularly in geographic information systems.

“The geography programme at UZH is very interdisciplinary and covers many different subject areas. This allows the programme to cover a wide range of interests and makes it very diverse.
The field trips are a major highlight, as they allow you to gain practical experience and directly apply the knowledge you have acquired during your studies.” (Sarah)

Start studying Geography  at the University of Zurich and become part of a new generation of scientists who are tackling the most pressing challenges of our time and placing them in a spatial context – sustainable spatial development, global relations and global change.

Admission requirements