Course details

Summary

Become part of something bigger

Take part in a research-led physical geography programme and have an excellent, world-class learning experience.

Massey’s Master of Sciences (Geography) will give you the knowledge and skills to understand and help solve some of the world’s most important environmental issues like flooding, coastal erosion, sea level change, landslide hazards and environmental change.

Broad range of equipment and facilities

You will have access to a wide range of techniques and equipment, making it easier to progress your research in a timely and comprehensive fashion. From ground survey equipment like a Trimble RTK differential GPS and S6 robotic total station and a ground penetrating radar to a range of coring apparatus e.g., lake/bog corers, percussion corer and vibracorer and Schmidt hammers for relative age dating of boulders we have the specialist equipment to help your research meet global standards.

Work readiness

Our strong relationship with industry and councils and the master’s programmes research element make our graduates very attractive to potential employers such as environmental consultancies and regional councils.

Globally-renowned expertise

Let our experts help you develop your own expertise.

Massey’s geography lecturers have an extensive range of experience and expertise. The ratio of staff to students is high. Your lecturers will be your mentors, working alongside you to fully engage you in the practical and theoretical aspects of advanced physical geography study, to prepare you for life in the workplace in a specialist sense or preparing you for research at a higher level.

Why postgraduate study?

Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The Master of Science will push you to produce your best creative, strategic and theoretical ideas. The workload replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles. Our experts are there to guide but if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study.

Careers

Sought after by employers

International trends are for employers to reward postgraduate study well, especially in larger enterprises. The skills you learn are increasingly recognised as setting you apart from other potential employees.

Structure

You will follow a parts-based programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 180 credits, comprising Part One and Part Two as defined by the Courses Schedule.

Entry criteria

Admission to the Master of Science (180 or 240 credits) requires you to have

• a Bachelor of Science degree, or close equivalent, with a major in Geography, with a minimum B average in the majoring 300 level courses; or
• a bachelor degree followed by a Graduate Diploma of Science or close equivalent, in Geography, with a minimum B average in the majoring 300 level courses.

Admission to the 120 credit Master of Science requires you to have a minimum B average for either of the following:

• a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with an endorsement in Geography; or
• a Postgraduate Diploma in Science with an endorsement in Geography

English language requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180