Bachelor's Programme in Human Geography – Society, Environment and Global Processes
Do you want to work with the major societal challenges of our time? In the Bachelor's Programme in Human Geography - Society, Environment and Global Processes, you will learn to analyze current social issues from a geographical perspective.
During the programme, you have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in areas such as local and global environmental changes, the development and planning of urban environments, social and ethnic segregation, migration, housing, gender, power and economic relations, environmental justice, landscape change, cultural heritage preservation, and global food supply.
To prepare you for the job market, we place great emphasis on method training. You will learn to use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze social issues from a geographical perspective. Digital methods, such as geographic information systems (GIS), are used to understand conditions in the world, in Sweden and locally. In connection with both courses and more in-depth thesis work, you will have the opportunity to work with field studies and participate in excursions to deepen your knowledge of regional differences and spatial processes. During the programme, you will meet leading researchers working on issues of society, environment and global processes in Sweden and internationally.
Language of instruction is Swedish.
The courses in human geography cover different themes, some of which are compulsory and others are elective. The common denominator is the geographical perspective, which means that social issues are discussed in a wider context of close and distant relationships. The breadth of human geography means many connections to different subject areas within both social sciences and natural sciences and the humanities.
The programme begins with two semesters of human geography. In the following two semesters, you can freely choose courses to combine your studies in human geography with, depending on your interests and background. In the fifth semester, you continue with human geography and write your degree project. During the final semester of the programme, you have the opportunity to practice applied methods and carry out a commissioned project in collaboration with a company or organization in need of human geographical analytical expertise.
Year 1
The first year of the programme includes courses within the main subject area of human geography.
Semester 1 (Autumn semester)
- Introduction to Human Geography, 7.5 ECTS
- Population, Environment and Landscape Change, 7.5 ECTS
- Cities and the Urban Society - Local and Global Challenges, 7.5 ECTS
- GIS and Spatial Analysis I, 7.5 ECTS
Semester 2 (Spring semester)
In the second semester, you choose a course package. Alternatively, you can choose a combination of two elective courses, as well as a methods course and a thesis course.
Course packages:
- Human Geography II – course package Population and Gender (offered in odd years)
- Human Geography II - Population and Migration, 30 ECTS (offered in even years)
- Human Geography II - Globalization and Cities, 30 ECTS (offered every year)
- Human Geography II - Landscape and Environment, 30 ECTS (offered every year)
Elective courses part A:
- Gender and Geography, 7.5 ECTS (offered in odd years, in English)
- Environmental Challenges in a Social Perspective, 7.5 ECTS (offered every year, in Swedish)
- Place, Identity and Migration, 7.5 ECTS (offered in even years, in English)
- Urban Governance, 7.5 ECTS (offered every year, in English)
Elective courses part B:
- Housing, Segregation and Mobility, 7.5 ECTS (offered every year, in Swedish)
- Historical Landscape Geography, 7.5 ECTS (offered every year, in Swedish)
- Planning Challenges in the Global South, 7.5 ECTS (offered every year)
- Urban Governance, 7.5 ECTS (offered every year, in English)
Methods and Thesis Courses in parts C and D:
- Social Science and Spatial Methods, 7.5 ECTS Thesis in Human Geography, 7.5 ECTS
Year 2
During semesters 3 and 4, you take elective courses.
If you want to broaden and deepen your knowledge in human geography, you can study an additional two elective courses (see semester 2) as well as GIS and Spatial Analysis II, 7.5 ECTS, and GIS and Spatial Analysis III, 7.5 ECTS in semester 4.
Another option is to study abroad for one or two semesters at one of our partner universities.
Year 3
The third year of the programme includes courses within the main subject area of human geography.
Semester 5 (Autumn semester)
- Theories in Human Geography, 7.5 ECTS
- Social Science Methods and Research Design in Human Geography, 7.5 ECTS
- Thesis in Human Geography, 15 ECTS
Semester 6 (Spring semester)
- Applied Human Geography, 30 ECTS
Application is made via Antagning.se
Selection process
Learning outcomes
The programme aims to develop the student's:
- Ability to make independent and critical assessments
- Ability to independently identify, formulate and solve problems
- Preparedness to meet changes in working life
Within the main subject area of human geography, the student shall, in addition to knowledge and skills, develop the ability to:
- Search for and evaluate knowledge at a scientific level
- Follow the development of knowledge
- Exchange knowledge even with people without specialist knowledge in the field
In addition to these general goals in Chapter 1, Section 8 of the Higher Education Act, the goals of the Higher Education Ordinance apply as follows:
Knowledge and understanding
For a Bachelor's degree, the student shall:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding within human geography, including knowledge of the scientific basis of the field, knowledge of applicable methods within the field, in-depth knowledge in some part of the field, and orientation about current research issues.
Skills and abilities
For a Bachelor's degree, the student shall:
- Demonstrate the ability to search for, collect, evaluate and critically interpret relevant information in a problem statement, as well as critically discuss phenomena, issues and situations
- Demonstrate the ability to independently identify, formulate and solve problems, as well as carry out tasks within given time frames
- Demonstrate the ability to orally and in writing account for and discuss information, problems and solutions in dialogue with different groups
- Demonstrate the skills required to work independently within the area the education is intended for
Judgement and approach
For a Bachelor's degree, the student shall:
- Demonstrate the ability to make assessments within human geography with consideration of relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects
- Demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and people's responsibility for how it is used
- Demonstrate the ability to identify their need for further knowledge and to develop their expertise
If you have any questions about Stockholm University, the Department of Human Geography or human geography, don't hesitate to contact our student Hillevi - also take a look at the video!
The Bachelor's Programme in Human Geography leads to a Bachelor's degree and provides the opportunity to apply for a two-year Master's programme in Human Geography at Stockholm University, or other Master's programmes.
Organizations in the public and private sectors continuously carry out societal analyses as knowledge bases for strategic decisions for their operations. This can involve risk assessment and future preparedness, and making an organization more aware of what is happening in the outside world.
The human geographer often works in a medium-sized or large organization and provides the basis for strategic, long-term decisions there. Through the Bachelor's programme, you will gain a foundation for work as a societal analyst and also a foundation for further studies at the advanced level.
Programme coordinator for the Bachelor's Programme in Human Geography – Society, Environment and Global Processes:
Lowe Börjeson
Student Affairs Office/International Coordinator
Contact the Student Affairs Office in the first instance if you have general questions about your studies at the department, including matters related to registration in systems such as Ladok and Athena. You can also request certified transcripts and other official certificates and talk to the International Coordinator about studying abroad as part of the Department's courses and programmes and exchange studies within the Department's agreements.
Study Counsellor
The study counsellor can provide information and guidance on study pathways, programme and course selection, admission, eligibility, approved leave from studies, discontinuation of studies, credit transfer, degrees and careers. You should contact the study counsellor if you are experiencing difficulties keeping up with your studies or have other study-related concerns.
