Physical and Environmental Geography (Master's)

About the study 

Climate change, geohazards, vulnerable water resources, sustainable land use, and the nature crisis represent significant challenges facing society today. By pursuing a master's degree in physical and environmental geography, you can play a vital role in generating new knowledge, developing solutions to address these issues, and determining how society can effectively respond. Your studies will encompass the external processes that have shaped and continue to shape the landscape, the interplay between natural processes and human impacts, and the implications of these relationships for settlement patterns, land use, and the environment. The program emphasizes a Norwegian context. 

Throughout the master's program in Physical and Environmental Geography, you will learn to design and conduct your own research projects under supervision. You will gain hands-on experience in field data collection methods and learn how to obtain data from a variety of sources, including satellite imagery, LIDAR, map databases, and climate data. Furthermore, you will develop the skills necessary to analyse, visualise and interpret relevant data, enabling you to reconstruct and discuss the potential causes and effects of changes in climate, environment, vegetation, and landscapes. 

In the first year, you will complete 60 ECTS of courses, gaining a broad understanding and methodological skills in physical and environmental geography. You will also develop a project description for your Master's project. The curriculum includes activities such as lectures, seminars, working groups, laboratory work, excursions, and field courses, providing opportunities to engage with faculty and fellow students. In the second year, you will work independently with supervision on your master's thesis, which also accounts for 60 ECTS. The knowledge you acquire will depend on the courses you select and the topic of your project. Some examples include:  

• Mapping of superficial sediments, landforms, landcover or vegetation
• Sediment coring of lakes and bogs
• Laboratory techniques for sediment analysis
• Analysis of geospatial data from various sources (LIDAR, drone, remote sensing, sonar, and hydrological data) using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

During the first weeks of the master's programme, you will be presented with current projects in Physical and Environmental Geography. After finding a Master's project, you will be assigned a supervisor who will follow you up throughout the master's programme. The master's program is structured around three milestones, one for each of the first three semesters. Fieldwork is an essential part of the master's program, typically 2-4 weeks carried out between the second and third semesters.  

We offer Master's projects on a variety of topics such as: 

• Glaciers
• Frost-induced processes and landforms
• Natural hazards (floods, storminess, landslides, etc.)
• Sea level change
• Hydrology and groundwater
• Caves and landscape development
• Natural forests and bogs
• Vegetation and landscape changes
• Biodiversity
• Disturbances of human-influenced environments
• Urban ecology  

Study environment 

At the Department of Geography, you will join an academic environment where both physical and human geographers are strongly represented, offering a unique interdisciplinary setting. As a master's student, you get access to a reading room at the department, and close contact with fellow students and professionals. Our social environment is informal and international. 

At the geography programme in Bergen, you will be part of an active student environment. Terra and Geoklubben are student associations that organize a variety of academic and social events, such as Geoquiz, trips, football games, and career lunches. 

Studying Physical and Environmental Geography will involve a range of teaching methods, including field courses, project assignments, workshops, seminars, lectures, and excursions. You will gain training in teamwork, report writing, problem-solving, research methods, and the effective presentation of results, both orally and in writing. These skills are essential for both advanced studies and professional careers. During your second semester, you'll have the chance to take courses at UNIS in Svalbard, participate in an exchange program abroad, or choose relevant courses at other departments within the University of Bergen.   

Career Opportunities 

Physical and environmental geographers enjoy a diverse labour market, spanning both public and private sectors. Geographers can pursue careers as GIS consultants, project managers, engineers, advisors, planners, and case officers in municipalities, county councils, and other government entities, including the Norwegian Mapping Authority, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and NVE (Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate). Career options also extend to consulting in the private sector, teaching in schools or academic institutions, and conducting research at various institutes. The Master's degree in Physical and Environmental Geography qualifies for advanced doctoral studies. 

Typical areas of focus for physical and environmental geographers include: 

• Mapping and analysing the driving forces behind environmental, landscape, and climate changes, as well as developing strategies for adaptation
• Conducting analyses based on maps and geographic information systems (GIS)
• Evaluating the use and management of natural resources and land
• Planning and developing sustainable urban environments and local communities for the future
• Integrating sustainability perspectives into the analyses of societal, environmental, and resource-related issues 

Bergen as a student city 

Bergen is the perfect city for geography studies, nestled "between the seven mountains". Here, the interplay of climate, landscape, and natural forces shapes urban and regional development, while a strong sense of place influences the city's growth and character. The university is conveniently located in the heart of Bergen, with a rich cultural scene, restaurants, and cafés. Additionally, the city's closeness to outdoor activities in the nearby mountains and easy train access to Voss for winter skiing make it an ideal location for students. With more than 200 student organizations, Bergen also has a vibrant and enriching student life.