Interested in doing a Master’s degree at GIUZ?

Are you interested in a Master’s degree in Geography or Earth System Science at UZH and want to learn more about the program? On this page you find some information about the possible combinations within the programs and about the administation process.

On the website of the Department of Geography you can find more information about the program. There you will also find a link to the study guide, which also provides more detailed information.

In addition, there is a Master information event at UZH in March where GIUZ presents their two Master’s programs in Geography and Earth System Science and where we answer your questions. You can attend the event in person or online via Zoom. Further information about the event can be found here: Master Information Days.

If you need more help to decide or if you still have questions, you can write us an email or make an appointment (in person or via phone or zoom) with the study advice service.

The Major of the Master’s can be studied as a so called Mono program (Geography or Earth System Science only) or in a combination with a Minor program (consecutive or complementary).

Option 1: Mono 

The Master in Earth System Science or Geography can be completed as a mono Master's (90 ECTS) without a minor program.

Option 2: Major and Minor

The Master in Earth System Science or Geography can also be completed as a major (90 ECTS) in combination with a minor (30 ECTS).

More Information about the structure of the Master Geography (PDF, 186 KB) and the Master Earth System Science (PDF, 170 KB).

More information about the programs' modules.

More Information about the minors at the Faculty of Science (disclaimer: most minors at UZH are in German).

With a Bachelor’s degree from GIUZ

Students who have successfully completed their Bachelor's degree program in Geography at UZH will be admitted to any of the 4 tracks of the consecutive Master’s programmes in Geography or Earth System Science (application for a direct entry via the semester enrollment).

With a Bachelor’s degree from UZH but not from GIUZ

Students who have successfully completed their Bachelor’s degree program at UZH in another subject than Geography or Earth System Science can also apply for a direct entry via the semester enrollment. Subsequently, your application will be assessed and depending on your Bachelor’s degree program and module combination, you may be required to pass some modules from GIUZ’s Bachelor curricula – specifically assigned to you –  in order to fill gaps.

With a Bachelor’s degree from another university

If you have completed your Bachelor's degree at another university, you need to apply for the enrolment in our Master’s program via the UZH application portal. All information about the application procedure, deadlines and fees are provided there. Any questions about the application process must be addressed to the admissions office of the faculty of science at the UZH. 

More Information about the Application process,Deadlines and Admission Requirements.

For admission, a degree that is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Geography or Earth System Science at UZH is required. To be considered equivalent, your Bachelor’s study program must be similar in content, scope and quality to the respective UZH program, and the university at which you obtained the degree must be of equivalent standing (e.g. Ranking Web of Universities).

• For Geography: The Geography Master's program is open for students holding a Bachelor's degree in Geography or a closely related field from an accredited university. To be considered for admission, a minimum of 120 ECTS credits in geographical content is required, including at least 10 ECTS in mathematical foundations (analysis and statistics). Additionally, applicants must possess at least 15 ECTS credits within their chosen emphasis area (physical geography, human geography, GIScience or Remote Sensing) offered by the program.
• For Earth System Science (ESS): The ESS Master's program is open for students holding a Bachelor's degree in ESS or a closely related field from an accredited university. To be considered for admission, a minimum of 120 ECTS credits in ESS content is required, including natural sciences (physics, math, chemistry, biology) or foundational skills in Geography domains (remote sensing, GIS, physical geography, and geology). 

Additional requirements

If you do not meet some of these prerequisites you can still be admitted, but you are required to catch up by participating in specific modules that will be assigned to you. The specific requirements (max. 60 ECTS; typically 0 - 30 ECTS credits) will be determined based on your individual academic background and will have to be fulfilled in addition to the Master's curriculum. If the additional requirements exceed 60 ECTS, you will not be admitted to the program. 

Please note that most Bachelor courses at UZH and at ETHZ are only offered in German.

Duration of application

The application process goes through various stages and can therefore take several weeks. In special or urgent cases, you can contact the Office of Student Affairs of the Faculty of Science.

Do you have further questions? Have a look at our FAQs with links to common questions.

If you have additional questions about the application you can contact the admission office for general questions or the office of student affairs of the faculty of science for more specific questions about your application.

See also our checklist for the admission process.