Master's Programme in Human Geography
Sergels torg, Stockholm. Photo: Anders Rickegård, Stockholm University.
This programme aims at deepening and broadening the student’s knowledge of different fields in Human Geography.
Human Geography is the discipline about society and its geography. A geographical perspective involves considering relations of proximity and distance and to explore geographical patterns. There is a strong tradition in Human Geography research work to study societal matters in different places and regions in the world. This discipline is a framework to pursue broad studies and it gives opportunities to specialize in deep and detailed studies.
The research in the Department of Human Geography concentrates on four research profiles: The Stockholm Urban and Regional Research Environment (SURE), Historical Geography and Landscape Studies, The Population Geography Resarch Group, and Urban Africa.
The programme involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to the first cycle (bachelor), and in addition to the requirements for the first cycle the programme:
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work
The contents of the programme can be designed according to your interest. Specializations in landscape studies, population geography, migration and urban processes are possible. The programme offers possibilities for field studies.
Year 1
The first semester consists of core courses and the second semester of optional courses.
Semester 1 (autumn semester)
The first semester include two core courses which are compulsory:
Space and Society – Theoretical Approaches in Human Geography, 15 HECs
Advanced Method in Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning, 15 HECs
Semester 2 (spring semester)
Courses at the Department of Human Geography:
Challenges for Planning in the Global South, 7.5 HECs, period B, first cycle
Cultural Landscapes and Society, 15 HECs, period C–D
Field Project in Urban and Regional Planning, 7.5 HECs, period B
Gender and Geography, 7.5 HECs, period A, first cycle, odd years (e.g. 2027)
GIS and Spatial Analysis II, 7.5 HECs, period C, first cycle
GIS and Spatial Analysis III, 7.5 HECs, period D, first cycle
GIS in the Social Sciences, 15 HECs, period A–B, odd years (e.g. 2027)
Place, Identity and Migration, 7.5 HECs, period A, first cycle, even years (e.g. 2026)
Project on Assignment in Human Geography, 15 HECs, period A–B and C–D
Space, City, Culture, 7.5 HECs, period C
Urban Governance, 7.5 HECs, period A, first cycle
Urbanization and Environment, 15 HECs, period A–B
Work Experience in Human Geography, 15 HECs, period A–B and C–D
The second and third semester consists of 45 HECs of optional second cycle courses in human geography, and 15 HECs of free courses. Exchange studies are possible at one of our partner universities abroad.
All second cycle courses at the Department of Human Geography listed on this page can be included in the main field of study (i.e. human geography). Note that some courses are part of the first cycle (undergraduate level) and can only be included in the degree as electives (a.k.a. free courses).
Year 2
In the third semester you study optional courses or do exchange studies, and in the fourth semster you write a thesis.
Semester 3 (autumn semester)
Courses at the Department of Human Geography:
Agricultural Geography, 15 HECs, period A–B, even years (e.g. 2026)
GIS and Spatial Analysis I, 7.5 HECs, period A–B, first cycle
Migration and Social Change – A life course perspective, 15 HECs, period C–D
Project on Assignment in Human Geography, 15 HECs, period A–B and C–D
Theoretical Perspectives on Planning, 7.5 HECs, period A
Transformative Urban and Regional Planning, 7.5 HECs, period B
Work Experience in Human Geography, 15 HECs, period A–B and C–D
Semester 4 (spring semester)
The fourth semester consists of the compulsory master's thesis course:
Independent project
Examples of student projects completed in the fourth semester within the course Master's Thesis in Human Geography:
- Commemorating the Terror Attack at Drottninggatan Commemorative Atmosphere, National Identity and Everyday Space
- Graffiti and street art in mobile landscapes
- In searching for Belonging: Almost at home abroad--A qualitative study on the way refugees develop feelings of home and belonging in the Romanian cities of Bucharest and Timisoara
- Institutional theory and local economic development policies: A case study of Stockholm municipality’s new Business Policy
- Memory in development and ruination: Tracing workers’ memories and futures on a transforming railway in Stockholm, Sweden
- Migrant women entrepreneurship in Sweden: A life-course approach to contextualize gendered career trajectories
- (Re)imagining Home: Co-living Residents’ Perceptions and ExperiencesL A case study in Allihoop, Bromma, Stockholm
- The Process of Commoning in Suderbyn Ecovillage: Rural Lessons for a Multi-scalar Right to the City
- Transforming Mills to Millions: Unmasking Representations of Urban Renewal in Kvarnholmen
- “Women and men not walking in same paths”: Public space and public policy through intersectionality
You apply via universityadmissions.se.
Why choose the Master's Programme in Human Geography at Stockholm University?
- High quality programme in close connection to front line research and to society.
- Programme preparing for professional careers as well as for studies at the doctoral level.
- Many aspects of human geography are dealt with in the programme, rural, urban; past and present using qualitative and quantitative methods.
- The programme is flexible and you can build your own syllabus from a range of courses and create a tailor-made two years.
- Supervisors for the master theses are leading researchers in human geography.
- Applied and field studies are part of virtually every course.
- High ranked, healthy founded and well operated university.
- Good campus facilities including libraries, GIS laboratories and places for team work and individual studies.
- Campus situated in the green, safe and beautiful City of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
- Informal atmosphere between students and faculty.
Top reasons to choose Stockholm University
Learning objectives
After completion of the programme, students are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in human geography, including both a broad proficiency in the discipline and important specialized knowledge in certain parts of the discipline, plus detailed insight into current scholarship.
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of methods in human geography.
- Demonstrate an ability to systematically but critically integrate knowledge and to analyse, evaluate and manage complex phenomena, research questions and situations even with limited information.
- Demonstrate an ability to creatively, independently, and critically identify and formulate research questions; to plan and carry out relevant tasks with appropriate methods within a given time-frame, thereby contributing to the advancement of the discipline; and to evaluate this work.
- Demonstrate an ability to describe and discuss – orally and in writing, in national and international contexts, and in dialogue with different groups – one’s conclusions and the knowledge and arguments that are the basis for these conclusions.
- Demonstrate the necessary competence that is required to be able to participate in research and development (R & D) or to work independently in other relevant activities.
- Demonstrate an ability to evaluate the relevant academic, social and ethical aspects related to differentquestions and topics in human geography, and demonstrate an awareness of the ethical aspects of R & D.
- Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limits of research, its roll in society and people’s responsibility for how research is used.
- Demonstrate an ability to identify one’s needs for additional knowledge and to take responsibility for one’sown learning.
The programme leads to a Master’s degree in Human Geography.
Through this programme you will develop your skills and competence to do research work, to assess research work and to communicate research work. In parallel you will obtain broad and specialized knowledge in the wide field of Human Geography. This combination of skills and knowledge qualifies the holder to participate in research and development work and to do advanced applied work.
There are potential employers both nationally and internationally, often in the public sector but also in private firms.
The programme offers an ideal grounding for students wishing to pursue a Doctorate in Human Geography.
Programme coordinator for the Master's Programme in Human Geography:
Karen Haandrikman
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.
Visiting hoursTuesdays and Wednesdays 10:00-12:00
Phone hoursMondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00-12:00
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.
