You'll have the opportunity to develop research expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methods. Your research work may involve drawing on high quality international surveys and a wide range of data sets addressing countries, regions and even small communities. Qualitative work might include learning participatory techniques that involve and empower the people or community you are researching. In many of the research streams, you'll be encouraged to complete field work.

In addition, you’ll have an opportunity to learn Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to complement to your research skills.

Focus on your area of interest or develop a project more closely connected to your supervisor's research. Supervisors' current research areas include but are not limited to:

• subjective wellbeing and geographies of happiness
• women, migration and displacement
• geospatial modelling of residential and transport decisions
• creative practice and social change
• indigenous tourism and development
• refugee resettlement
• geographies of housing and labour markets
• participatory, creative and collaborative methodologies
• geographies of gender
• impacts of globalisation
• environmental democracy and justice
• Māori peacemaking and the city
• geographies of aid and development

Specialist research groups

You may have the opportunity to work closely with the two main research groups in Geography.

• Economic geography and social inequality
• Social theory and spatial praxis

• Development and globalisation
• Environmental studies and sustainability

Geography covers a wide range of topics, methods and concepts from a variety of social science disciplines. You'll graduate with valuable skills for a range of jobs including in urban and regional planning, and policy analysis or research roles in economic, social development, health or transport agencies.

Recent graduates have found jobs in central government agencies such as Statistics New Zealand, the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and the Ministry for Social Development. They are also working in district health boards, not-for-profit organisations, and the creative, communications and education sectors.

People who have a good understanding of social and economic development issues are also in demand by many businesses in New Zealand.

You may also choose to continue your studies with a PhD, and move into an academic or research career.

Postgraduate study at Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and future colleagues.

You can take part in the weekly geography, environment and development seminar series and you'll have the chance to attend, present, and in some cases, organise workshops and conferences.

You might do outreach work with schools or get involved with the New Zealand Geographical Society, which is based in the School.

The Postgraduate Students' Association can give you information on studying at the University and provides a voice for you on campus.

If you're interested in tutoring undergraduate courses, contact the course coordinator. For research assistant roles contact the staff member you'd like to assist.