Geography
Qualifications
- Certificate in Arts
- Certificate in Science
- Diploma in Arts
- Diploma in Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
- Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Product Design
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
- Bachelor of Sport
- Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
Overview
Geography is the study of human behaviour, the environment we live in, and the relationship between both.
This field combines arts and sciences to find innovative solutions to our society’s most pressing issues and debates, and the human response to these challenges, such as climate change, poverty, sustainability, health, and inequality.
- Explore different pathways in geography: physical geography, human geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and resource and environmental management.
- Practical workshops, labs, and fieldtrips to examine geographical processes outside of the classroom – including urban mobility and planning.
- You will get the opportunity to undertake research with community partners that supports resilient environments and communities through research.
Geography major
For the major in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, complete the following courses:
100-level
200-level
- Three 200-level GEOG courses
300-level
There is a range of courses at 200 and 300-level. You can specialise within or combine courses from the theme pathways:
- physical geography
- human geography
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- resource and environmental management.
If you are interested in postgraduate studies in Geography, you will need to take at least another 30 points from 300-level GEOG courses.
Geography minor
For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:
- 75 points in 100 to 300-level GEOG courses, with at least 45 points above 100-level
Geography is a distinctive field between science and arts that also has links to law, sociology, engineering, computer science, and health sciences. Due to this diversity, study in Geography will lead to a range of career opportunities.
Career pathways could include:
- climate or environmental consultant
- resource manager
- urban or transport planner
- geospatial scientist.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Geography.
Contact us
Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment
Phone +64 3 369 0655
Email earthandenvironment@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 2, Beatrice Tinsley building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Browse related subjects to Geography
Choose an area that you are interested in and learn how UC's extensive range of study options can let you study what you want to.

Sustainable Coasts
With more than half of the world’s population living in costal zones, many nations are dependent on the ocean to sustain life and economy. In this subject, you ...

Public Health
Public Health is the study of human health and wellbeing, specifically in how we promote health within populations and protect them from risks such as ...