Geography - Master of Science (MSc) at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Gain a deeper understanding of the world around you with the Master of Environmental Studies in Geography program. Geography bridges social science, environmental information technology, and physical science to enhance the protection and sustainable use of both the natural and built environments. In this program, you'll conduct research in your chosen topic (environmental and resource management, environmental science, geomatics or human geography), and produce an academic contribution to the field of Geography.

Faculty: Faculty of Environment | Department: Geography and Environmental Management | Duration: 24 months (full-time) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April); application deadlines: February 1 (for admission in September); June 1 (for admission in January of the following year) | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Research fields: Environmental Science, Geomatics, Research project opportunities for this program, 'Blackwards' to the Future: Past, present, and futures of the African American community of South Phoenix, AZ, Blackward to the Future is a community-led, participatory action research initiative dedicated to reclaiming the past, present, and future of the African American community in Phoenix, Arizona. The project seeks to address the erasure of Black histories from the city’s cultural landscape by documenting oral histories, preserving community archives, facilitating intergenerational dialogue, and co-creating future urban visions. Drawing on the Adinkra concept of sankofa—the principle of looking to the past to move forward—the project emphasizes joy, resistance, and self-determination over damage-centered narratives., Spatial Data Sharing Between Government and the Private Sector, The Waterloo Civic Map Lab is a research team focused on how geospatial technologies and data are used to meet the needs of community, government, and civic organizations. Student researchers at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral) work to create applied and theoretical research that matters - understanding the challenges, benefits, and issues created by civic technologies and geospatial data., Upcoming events, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 12:00 pm, -, 1:00 pm, EDT (GMT -04:00), Graduate studies in the Faculty of Environment, Join us on October 13 at 12 pm EDT to discover how a graduate degree from the Faculty of Environment can help you make an impact and prepare for your next academic and professional chapter., ENV;, Future students → Future graduate students, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 12:00 pm, -, 1:00 pm, EDT (GMT -04:00), Graduate studies in the Faculty of Environment, Join us on October 20 at 12 pm EDT to discover how a graduate degree from the Faculty of Environment can help you make an impact and prepare for your next academic and professional chapter., ENV;, Future students → Future graduate students. Study option(s): Thesis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Students must normally hold an Honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. Students with an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Science (BES) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Physical Geography, Environmental or Earth Science, Geomatics, or the equivalent, will also be considered. Students must demonstrate that they have the necessary science background to pursue graduate work in their field of specialization. Students will have completed the undergraduate degree with an overall average of at least 75%. Please note that a supervisor is required for admission and supervisors are not assigned in the Department of Geography. Full agreement from a faculty member to supervise prior to initiating the application process is not necessary, however it is strongly recommended to contact professors to discuss the possibility of supervision and funding in order to better inform your decision whether or not to apply. Please see the full list of the Department of Geography faculty.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Terms run fall (September to December), winter (January to April) and spring (May to August). Programmes are currently accepting applications for fall 2027; intake terms vary by programme.

Graduate applications are made online through the Graduate Studies Application and the non-refundable application fee is $150 CAD per program, paid in the applicant portal. Deadlines are set by each programme (for example MDSAI part-time: fall January 15, winter July 1). Apply two to four weeks ahead of the programme deadline.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.apply.uwaterloo.ca/apply/

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