Your perfect choice!

Bachelor Geography

Do you want to understand what is happening in the world? The climate and our environment are changing and global events such as pandemics have revealed huge spatial disparities. The significance of data is steadily on the rise, and with it the need for people who can interpret it properly. If you are interested in gaining a comprehensive overview of the world and of its “spaces”, then you’ve come to the right place.

Study Geography and contribute to understanding and improving the world.

Fact Box

Duration:

semesters
ECTS credits:

180

Level of qualification: Bachelor's degree programme
Degree:

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Prerequisites:

Generaluniversity entrance qualification, knowledge of German B2

Special admission procedure:

Language of instruction:

German, some English

Curriculum (PDF)
Range of courses

Contact

Student Guidance Service
E-mail: studieninfo [at] aau [dot] at

Office of the Programme Director
Website of the Programme Director
E-mail: geo [at] aau [dot] at
Website: www.aau.at/en/geography-and-regional-studies/

Student Representatives
E-mail: oeh [dot] geo [at] aau [dot] at

The only constant in our universe is change. Our natural, cultural and social spaces are constantly evolving: Urban areas have grown considerably in recent decades, while rural life seems to be gaining in attractiveness due to the ongoing health crisis Today, more often than not, we live alone, but at the same time, digital possibilities allow us to transcend borders and we can easily get together with our friends from all over the world in virtual sessions.

These changes have a reciprocal effect on each other. Our Bachelor’s degree programme in Geography teaches students to examine these developments and identify potential issues. After graduating you will be triple-qualified as follows: thinking geographically, that is, addressing social issues from a geographical perspective, doing geography, in other words, contributing new knowledge to spatial issues, and using geography as interface, and therefore working at the intersection of many different subjects.

We can teach you the basics as well as the specialist knowledge you need to solve space-related questions and problems in an independent, theory-based and method-oriented way. You will acquire the skills you need to approach problems from different angles allowing you to discover new interrelations and insights. We can provide you with the perfect mix of social, natural and cultural sciences. You are free to decide which key areas you wish to focus on!

Geography is a science that doesn’t merely take place in offices, laboratories and libraries. The programme also includes excursions and hands-on project seminars. Together we will go out into the world you seek to understand: to nature reserves, innovation centres, countries and regions that you have yet to explore. After all: By exploring new spaces, you will gain greater scope for new thoughts and ideas.

Curious what the Bachelor's degree programme in Geography is all about?

Term dates & deadlines

Winter semester 2024/25

General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
8 July 2024 – 5 September 2024

Term dates & deadlines

Summer semester 2025

General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
7 January 2025 – 5 February 2025

Why study Geography at the University of Klagenfurt?

Our student Tanja has the answer to your question!

You are special. So are we.

This is what makes the degree programme so special

We combine theory AND practice: Studying Geography is not confined to desks and libraries. To understand what defines natural and social spaces, you will go out into the world. In addition to excursions, you also have the opportunity to test your skills during several months of work experience (250 hours Your participation in a project seminar will also often involve working on concrete solutions on site.
International setting: More young international people study at Klagenfurt University than at other universities. The language of instruction is essentially German, but some courses are also held in English. You can also attend optional languages courses, such as Spanish, Russian, Bosnian-Serbian-Croatian, Chinese, to help you prepare for your career, wherever you choose to live and work.
We will accompany you on your journey. Are you nervous about disappearing among the masses of students at a large university? That won’t happen to you here in Klagenfurt. For us you are not just one among many, you are special. We want to know who you are, what moves you and what you want to achieve. That’s why we offer very good supervision arrangements, small seminars and compact working groups.

Luftbildaufnahme der Universität Klagenfurt

How we are seen

We excel in rankings!
The University of Klagenfurt is one of the top 2 % universities worldwide.
(Times Higher Education World University Rankings)
We are distinguished by our students!
The University of Klagenfurt is the only university in the world to win a Global Student Satisfaction Award twice in a row
(Studyportals – the Global Study Choice Platform)

Our study programmes come highly recommended!
The University of Klagenfurt is recommended by 97 % of its students.
(studycheck.de)
Top quality is our standard!
The University of Klagenfurt places high value on comprehensive quality standards. Our quality management is EVALAG-certified,
we maintain the highest environmental standards (EMAS certification) and are a family-friendly university.
(State quality label “hochschuleundfamilie”)

Focused studies. Our core topics

Human Geography: Have you ever wondered why Silicon Valley has developed a cluster of innovative start-ups while many other valleys are experiencing a wave of young people leaving Social, Economic, Settlement and Population Geography provide answers to these questions.
Physical Geography: These subjects are concerned with our planet Earth: Soil and water, climate and ecology, their origins, history and future. We will also provide you with the necessary background in the natural sciences.
Methods of Geography: These days, maps are produced digitally by means of geographical information systems and then called up on a mobile phone or tablet and used for navigational purposes, to give just one example. However, traditional paper maps are also still prepared and interpreted. Here in Klagenfurt you will learn modern methods of representing, analysing, modelling and simulating geographical information.
Integrated Geography: To scientifically examine certain natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions, in isolation would be a rather one-sided project as far as Integrated Geography is concerned. Rather, as an interface between Human Geography and Physical Geography, this discipline attempts to imagine the world as a single human-environment system and to solve various problems in an integrative manner.

Your skills are our mission. This is what we can teach you

We help you to acquire scientific skills, and you can use them to good effect. The challenges facing our planet are manifold and complex. Whoever understands how individuals, society and the environment interact with each other can help contribute to a better world. Does this sound like a meaningful mission? We will equip you with the tools you need to develop creative and feasible visions in order to create something entirely new and lasting.

Everything you need for the practical setting. Roughly half of our lecturers are highly successful in the professional field. What we offer is nothing out of this world, but rather we allow you to take flight.
Triumph with soft skills. The world of work needs team players who can work creatively and purposefully, regardless of subjects and cultures. In our seminars you will learn how to boost inspiration and efficiency in group work. Here you will learn to become a moderator and manager of projects.
Reaching for the sky after graduation. Many of our graduates enter professional life straight after their Bachelor’s degree. However, others are eager for more. At the University of Klagenfurt, we are able to offer you Master’s degree programmes, which are specially tailored to you: Geography and Regional Research and also Science, Technology & Society Studies

Have we got what you need?

We will guide you through the first steps of your degree! Via phone or e-mail, or face-to-face over a coffee.

Let’s talk: get in touch now!

Looking for guidance and advice?

Are you interested in the Bachelor's degree programme in Geography?
Are you in need of some personal advice with no strings attached?
Our student guidance service will be happy to advise you!

Go to Student guidance

Programme structure

In Klagenfurt you can study at your own pace. To help you follow your path with confidence, we keep it clear of (bureaucratic) stumbling blocks and barriers. If you wish to reach your goal quickly and efficiently, we will always be there to support you. Our recommended course of study will guide you through the semesters. You work your way through the curriculum – making the most of opportunities to broaden your horizons and without wasting time. If you would like to know which courses await you before you start, take a look at the wide range of seminars and lectures.

Main areas

Programme structure: a tabular overview

Structure and outline of the degree programme: a tabular overview
Subject	Designation	ECTS credits
Required subjects	Principles of Geography	7
	Human Geography	22
	Physical Geography	22
	Methods in Geography	30
	Regional Studies	20
	Specialisation in Geography	18
Restricted electives	Choice of four subjects as specialisation: Specialist and Applied Human Geography Applied Physical Geography Geosimulation and Modelling Spatial Planning and Urban Studies Tourism Ecology Geology Meteorology Hydrology Special Methods Sustainability Law Sociology Business and Economics Gender Studies Political Science and Peace Studies Languages Internship/Work Experience Specialisation	40
Optional Subjects		9
Bachelor's thesis		12
Total		180

Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)

The introductory and orientation period (STEOP) grants students an overview of the key elements of the degree programme and of the course of studies ahead. Thus, it provides a factual basis for the personal evaluation of the choice of degree programme.

As students must successfully complete the introductory and orientation period in order to continue their studies, it is recommended that the introductory and orientation period should be scheduled during the first semester. The introductory and orientation period within the Bachelor's degree programme in Geography at the University of Klagenfurt comprises three courses ("Introduction to Geography", "Principles of Human Geography I" and "Principles of Physical Geography I") amounting to a total of 9 ECTS credits. Prior to completing the STEOP, additional courses worth up to 22 ECTS credits may be taken.

Recommended course of study

1. Semester | 2. Semester

Important note regarding lecture courses scheduled on a cyclical basis: Although certain lecture courses are only offered once a year, the corresponding examinations can be taken year-round on specific dates.

1. Semester (Starting in the winter semester)

Recommended course of study: a tabular overview
SUBJECT	ECTS	Course number + title	Course type
Grundlagen der Geographie	3	320.711 Einführung in die Geographie (STEOP) (B 1.1)**	VO
Grundlagen der Geographie	4	320.712 Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten (B 1.2)	UE^*
Humangeographie	3	320.721 Grundlagen der Humangeographie I (STEOP) ( B2.1)**	VO
	4	320.722 Humangeographie A (B 2.2)	PS*
	4	320.723 Humangeographie B (B 2.3)	PS*
Physiogeographie	3	320.731 Grundlagen der Physiogeographie I (STEOP) (B 3.1)**	VO
	4	320.732 Physiogeographie A (B 3.2)	PS*
	4	320.733 Physiogeographie B (B 3.3)	PS*
Total	29

* compulsory attendance
** The STEOP-courses 320.711, 320.721 and 320.731 only take place in the winter semester.

2. Semester

Recommended course of study: a tabular overview
SUBJECT	ECTS	Course number + title	Course type
Methoden der Geographie	4	320.741 Datenanalyse (B 4.1)	PS*
Methoden der Geographie	2	320.742 Kartographie (B 4.2)	PS*
Regionalstudien	2	320.090 und 320.092 Zwei eintägige Exkursionen (B 5.1)	EX
Humangeographie	3	320.724 Grundlagen der Humangeographie II (B 2.4)	VO
	4	320.725 Humangeographie C (B 2.5)	PS*
	4	320.726 Humangeographie D (B 2.6)	PS*
Physiogeographie	3	320.734 Grundlagen der Physiogeographe II (B 3.4)	VO
	4	320.735 Physiogeographie C (B 3.5)	PS*
	4	320.736 Physiogeographie D (B 3.6)	PS*
Total	³⁰

* compulsory attendance

Studying abroad

Why is nature more severely affected by human activity in one location than in another? Where do structures support new developments and which regions have fewer chances to succeed within the global growth-oriented competition? In Klagenfurt you will learn to recognise problems and develop solutions. One way to experience the diversity of global “spaces” is to spend a semester abroad, while improving your language skills and intercultural competences at the same time. The world is yours to explore – and you can get started while you are still studying. For more information on international mobility during your degree programme, please refer to Section 7 of the curriculum.

This degree programme does not include a compulsory period abroad. However, we strongly encourage all students to complete part of their degree programme as a semester abroad at one of the University of Klagenfurt’s more than 250 partner universities worldwide. You need not worry about your finances – we offer plenty of scholarships. You will find everything you need to know about studying abroad on our Study Abroad page.

Internship

In the area of guided electives, you have the opportunity to complete an internship. The internship must comprise at least 240 hours; you must obtain approval from the programme director before commencing the internship. The content of the internship must be related to the Bachelor's degree programme in Geography or a desired specialisation and may also take the form of a research internship at an academic institution.

Proof of completion is provided in the form of corresponding certificates and an activity report of at least 10,000 characters (including spaces). Please refer to section 15 of the curriculum for more information.

Curriculum

Range of courses

Limits are old news. What else can we offer you?

There are no limits to your personal development. Enjoy the freedom that only a university degree can offer you and expand your horizons beyond your academic studies. You can pick and choose which competences will set you apart in the world of work in the future. We have lots to offer, for instance:

We are all global citizens, struggling to live together in peacefully. The Transdisciplinary Peace Studies focus on international conflicts and their links to regional developments – and will transform you into an astute conflict manager!
Digital transformation has far-reaching implications for society, the economy and our daily lives. If you are keen to expand your digital competences, our extension programme bearing the same name can offer you plenty of useful insights.
Reflecting on your own cultural imprints, understanding other cultures and interacting with them appropriately requires inter- and transcultural competences, which you can hone by joining our extension programme.
Are you interested in the construction and significance of gender relations in science and society? The extension programme Gender Studies provides an interdisciplinary insight into the complex interaction of gender, power and inequality.
Do you want to learn a new language and prepare for an international career? You can learn Russian, Spanish or Chinese (and many other languages besides) at the University of Klagenfurt.

Continue to browse through this overview of all the elective subjects.

Specialist courses & optional subjects

Extension programmes

Would you like some guidance to help you plan your studies?

Admission

Admission to the degree programme must take place before the end of the general admission period (winter semester: 5 September | summer semester: 5 February).
A late admission until 31 October (winter semester) or 31 March (summer semester) can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Admission with an Austrian school leaving certificate or an entrance qualification from Germany

Admission without an Austrian school leaving certificate or an entrance qualification from Germany

Prerequisites

You do not have to go through a special admission procedure to start the Bachelor‘s degree in Geography in Klagenfurt. Simply enrol and get stuck in!

You only have to meet the following conditions, which also apply to all other programmes:

General university entrance qualification (e. g. Matura)
German language skills at level B2 (CEFR)

Prospective students who apply for admission to a German-language degree programme and whose first language is not German must provide evidence of German language proficiency no lower than level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the time of application.

German courses and exams are offered as part of the VAAU preparatory course by the Language Center German in Austria.

Best prospects. Your professional opportunities

After completing your Bachelor’s degree in Geography, you can work in a wide range of professional fields, including the following areas:

Engineering and planning offices, public administration: Choosing a location to build a new park and knowing which places need to be accessible by public transport – these are not trivial matters. You can become a specialist for the design of public spaces.
Management consultancy: For innovation to flourish and thrive, we need fertile spaces. The corporate world needs you to create an environment in which people can perform well and prosper.
Designers for living in times of climate change: Global warming is accelerating, tropical summer days are increasingly becoming a test of endurance in cities, and at the same time extreme weather events are unleashing their destructive power. The world needs your vision and ideas to make living spaces habitable in the long term.
Preserving nature - and harnessing it: Nature managers work in national parks, among other places. They protect the integrity of the environment whilst also making spaces accessible for tourism.
Mapping and modelling the Earth and associated processes: The structures of the Earth’s surface are captured in digital aerial and satellite images, analysed in geo-information systems, simulated in models and then displayed on dashboards and story maps on the Internet. As geo-information specialist you will be highly sought after by media companies, insurance companies, public administration and many other sectors.
Data experts: We need to know how extensive our glaciers are, where the courses of our rivers run, how concentrated or dispersed our settlements are, who travels by what means of transport, or where natural resources are undergoing radical changes. That is why we need geographers who are data experts. Experts like you!
Civil engineers: Subject to certain conditions, you may be able to train to become a civil engineer once you have completed your degree in Geography.
Science: Students who feel at ease in the academic world while they are studying will have the opportunity to pursue a scientific career. Our department regularly undertakes projects that allow you to participate at an early stage.
City Marketing: What makes a city special and what attracts tourists, but also companies and employees, to come to a city (and maybe even to stay there)? You learn how to define the unique selling points of spaces – and how to use them for marketing purposes.
Promotion of trade and industry: Countries, regions and cities frequently compete with each other – to attract businesses, students, young families, tourists. Your geographical knowledge will help to promote the development of regions.

Stories & news about the degree programme

You’ll soon discover this: There are many interesting facts, stories and news updates regarding this degree programme.

Belonging

Elena Smirnova: „Seeing the world from new angles.“

The first steps are always … accompanied!

We won’t abandon you, especially at the start of your studies!

Here in Klagenfurt, you will get to know your fellow students during the Welcome Days – and you will make new friends in the very first week; friends you will share memorable experiences with in the years to come.
You will never be a mere (matriculation) number here: Our courses have a limited number of participants and so our lecturers will soon get to know you. We encourage and challenge you, in every way you need!
Your degree starts with the so-called “Introductory phase (STEOP)”. No matter which school you attended or which qualifications you bring with you to the university: We will get you to the level you need in order to study successfully in the semesters ahead. In addition, the technology preparation courses will help you to rapidly progress on the road to success in your studies!
During the first semester, our students are coached in small groups by mentors, making it easier for you to get off to a good start.

Continuing your studies

Once you have completed the Bachelor's degree programme in Geography you can continue straight on to one of the following degree programmes. The choice is yours:

Geography and Regional Research

Master’s degree programme

Degree programme

Science, Technology & Society Studies

Master’s degree programme

Degree programme

Looking for guidance and advice?

Are you interested in the Bachelor's degree programme in Geography?
Are you in need of some personal advice with no strings attached?
Our student guidance service will be happy to advise you!

Go to Student guidance

FAQ. Frequently asked questions

What are the key focus areas in this degree programme?

This degree programme is for anyone who wants to understand and shape the world. The focus of this programme is on Human Geography, Physical Geography and the Methods of Geography. Topics include global urban growth, migration, mobility, displacement and spatial inequality. Typical areas of Physical Geography cover landscape development, natural risks and biological diversity. Whether we are dealing with climate change, electromobility or migration – students of Geography are concerned with virtually all of the central challenges facing society.

In order to study Geography, which interests should I have?

An interest in socio-political and environmental issues; international, intercultural open-mindedness; an interest in research and scientific work; a cosmopolitan attitude. Spending time in nature and conducting research is as much a part of Geography as dealing with people and other cultures.

What are my career prospects after this degree programme?

Your prospects are bright. You can go into urban planning, work for architecture firms, in management consultancy, real estate agencies, tourist offices or insurance companies. Moreover, civil engineering and geographical data analysis can also serve as future occupational fields.

How do I start my academic studies at the University of Klagenfurt?

Our check list will help you to get started. We have compiled everything you need to know here – from registering online right up to enrolling for a degree programme.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the content of this degree programme?

If you have any questions about the content, please contact the Programme Director by e-mail at geo [at] aau [dot] at.