Postgraduate options
The School of Geography has a wide range of postgraduate programmes in Human and Physical Geography, Environmental Management and Planning, with options and pathways to suit most needs.
Overview
Whether you choose a taught masters programme, a professional degree or undertake a research masters or doctorate degree, you will be supported and supervised by staff who are international experts in their field. Their breadth and depth of knowledge means they are well placed to help you plan towards your future career and give advice based on genuine experience.
Our programmes have been carefully designed to provide specialist training in a range of areas to prepare you fully for your chosen careers. Our graduates have been hired as professionals in government, consulting agencies, non-governmental organisations, and business where they play key roles in planning, and policy development in national and international organisations, and areas , where they play key roles in planning management, and are productive scholars in research institutions and in academia.
The school has a large, vibrant and friendly postgraduate community housed in modern facilities with dedicated computer access. Our school is internationally recognised for the provision of high-quality graduate programmes with an established international reputation.
Postgraduate research opportunities
Applications for postgraduate study are welcome in all of our research areas.
See the exciting research that our current postgraduate students are conducting
Working while you study
Part-time work can make all the difference to your budget. Postgraduate students are often employed as tutors, laboratory demonstrators or teaching assistants for undergraduate courses.
Tutoring is a great way to gain valuable professional and teaching experience during your masters or PhD study.
For more information on tutor/demonstrator positions please contact:
Liz McMecking
Email liz.mcmecking@otago.ac.nz
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
If you have a degree with a major other than Geography, you may need to complete a Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad) before starting postgraduate study. A DipGrad endorsed in Geography will give you a background similar to that of a graduate with a bachelor degree majoring in Geography.
The DipGrad consists of seven or more papers, so it takes at least one year to complete. At least four of the papers must be at 300-level.
The papers that you take will depend on your background and your goals, and must be agreed in consultation with the Head of School in Geography and the Director of the Diploma for Graduates.
Honours programme
Honours level study is available after completion of an undergraduate degree. The School of Geography offers Honours level study for the BA, BSc and BAppSc degrees, which can lead to Master's degrees in both Arts and Sciences.
Find out more about our Honours Programme
Postgraduate Diploma Programme
A Postgraduate Diploma is designed for graduates with a major in Geography or Environmental Management, or in other relevant disciplines, who wish to continue their studies to an advanced level and who may wish to later complete a research degree.
Find out more about our Postgraduate Diploma programme
Masters' programmes
Masters' degrees at Otago are research-based and are designed to equip you either to move into employment or to advance seamlessly to a doctoral study programme. At Otago we regard research as the heart of our academic activity and we believe that the synergy we have achieved between research and our graduate degree programmes contributes powerfully to our reputation as one of New Zealand's outstanding research universities.
More about our masters' programmes
Master of Arts (Coursework) programme for Humanities students
The Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA (Coursework)) programme is designed to provide a multi-disciplinary grounding for Humanities students in a range of subjects as preparation for further study or future employment. The programme will take either 12 months or three semesters of full-time study to complete, and can also be studied part-time.
Master of International Development and Planning (MIDP)
The Master of International Development and Planning (MIDP) is a 12-month, full-time course work master's degree, that includes a research dissertation. The degree uniquely combines an enhanced understanding of development issues with professional planning skills and competencies.
Master of International Development and Planning
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
A candidate who holds an Honours degree, a Postgraduate Diploma or Master's degree achieved at an acceptable level may be admitted to the PhD programme. The entry qualification must include a research component. A PhD at Otago is a degree by thesis only. There is no formal programme of research or coursework.
Each PhD student has at least two research supervisors. Through consultation with their supervisors, the student designs and arranges the course of research to suit their requirements and interests.
The thesis must demonstrate that the student has the capacity for independent research and has made an original research contribution to their chosen area. A PhD thesis may be submitted after a minimum of two and a half years of full-time study or within a period of four years of full-time study or eight years of part-time study.
Funded PhD studentship opportunities
It is important that you discuss your research ideas or topic with staff before applying. If you proceed with an application you will need to develop a formal proposal that clearly sets out the context for the research and the research problem or question.
In the first instance you should contact by email geography@otago.ac.nz
Our Administrative staff will help you identify those staff whose interests best align with your area of interest.
Further information about application procedures and funding
Further information about PhD scholarships
Application information for prospective students
Before making a formal application using the University’s online system, we strongly recommend that prospective students first contact the School in order for your proposal and academic records to be evaluated by the Committee. This information will assist us to assess first, whether you meet the necessary academic requirements, and second, whether we have the necessary expertise and capacity to supervise your project. After this assessment, we may then encourage you to make a formal application for admission to the University of Otago.
In order for us to make our internal assessment, please email the documents below, together with a formal letter of application.
Email geography@otago.ac.nz
Master's
- A copy of your Research Proposal – a 4 to 5-page outline of your central question, the literature your research is located in, the framework and methodology you want to employ, and a general timetable of research
- Your current curriculum vitae
- Your most recent and relevant academic transcripts including GPA information
PhD
- Full academic transcripts highlighting which course is your thesis or dissertation and/or details of your research publications
- A curriculum vitae which includes publications, and the contact details of referees (a minimum of two)
- A preliminary research proposal (approximately 5 pages) which identifies the contribution of the project to the current academic literature on the subject, a description of its theoretical framework, research design, methodology and general schedule of work
Please note that acceptance into postgraduate study is highly competitive and unfortunately we have to turn down many well-qualified candidates. Priority will be given to applicants with an externally funded scholarship or who are self-funded, as scholarships from the University of Otago are extremely competitive and difficult to obtain.
There is no due date for applications, however, applications are considered by our Postgraduate Committee monthly. You will be informed of their decision on your application by the end of the month of consideration.
If you are a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or permanent resident and want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level then please read:
Application information for New Zealand students at postgraduate level
If you are an international student and want to study at study at undergraduate or postgraduate level then please read:
Application information for International students at postgraduate level