Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies (MSc)
Master of Science (MSc)
Program overview
The MSc in Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies looks at how today's environment is physically, politically and economically constructed. Human activity has caused unprecedented levels of environmental change in the past few decades. Our research-active faculty members have backgrounds in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities and have published in numerous prestigious journals. You will join a dynamic cohort of students that includes young scholars and professionals with practical work experience. The research interests of our students include human geography, GIS, urban planning, environmental science, government policy and social justice advocacy. Montreal and its surrounding areas provide rich sites for fieldwork and analysis, as well as connections to a large francophone network with its own socio-cultural and policy histories. Now more than ever, we need to collectively engage with policy-makers in order to bring about large-scale systemic reforms.
Program details
Admission Requirements
- A minimum GPA of 3.30 in a BA or BSc in Geography, Planning, or Environmental Science, or an equivalent degree in a related field of study from a recognized university.
- Admission is contingent on the availability of an appropriate faculty member in the Department to serve as supervisor.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
For course descriptions, please see the Geography, Planning and Environment Courses page for course descriptions.
Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies MSC (45 credits)
| 9 | credits of Required Courses |
| 3 | credits chosen from: |
| 6 | credits: |
| 6 | credits of Elective Courses chosen from: |
| 30 | credits: |
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
1. Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form (two of which which must come from academic referees)
- Statement of purpose (500 words maximum) should include your academic interest, primary area of concentration and research goals
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
2. An admission offer will not be issued until a supervisor match has been made. Students are encouraged to review the list of faculty members' field of interests and directly contact those with whom you would like to work.
Download our Graduate Student Handbook for detailed information.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies | MSc | Feb. 1 | n/a | n/a |
Courses typically offered include:
- Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
- Research Proposal Seminar
- Special Topics in Geography
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.
Master’s students are eligible for a variety of scholarships and fellowships, Research and Teaching Assistantships, conference travel awards, and other funding opportunities.
Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students. Additional awards available for Master’s students include:
- Faculty of Arts and Science Fellowships ($14,000)
- Concordia Merit Scholarship ($10,000)
- Hydro-Quebec Master’s Scholarship ($5,000)
- Arts and Science Fellowship in Ethnic Studies and Social Diversity ($7,500)
- Out-of-Province Fee Remission Awards ($6,000)
We encourage students seeking admission to our program to apply for funding from external sources in the final year of their undergraduate studies (e.g. FRQSC, SSHRC).
Please consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards for additional information.
Our faculty members provide a distinctive and incisive perspective on the world through their research, teaching and graduate training in three core areas: geography, urban studies and urban planning, and environmental science.
Faculty research interests include:
- climate change
- community-based conservation
- cultural geography
- Geographical Information Systems
- history of cities and urban planning
- impact assessment
- indigenous geographies
- political ecology
- political economy
- public space and urban popular culture
- regional hydrology
- social and environmental justice
- sustainability
- transportation mobility
- urban design
- urban morphogenesis
- urban planning in the developing world
The David B. Frost GIS Laboratory is a state-of-the-art Geographic Information Systems teaching and individual study computer lab. Computers run the latest version of ArcGIS, as well as support programs for Computer Assisted Design, remote sensing and image editing.
The Transportation Research for Integrated Planning Lab (TRIP) is equipped with high-powered computers and servers for geographical and statistical analysis. TRIP is also home to unique and expansive transportation and land-use data for major urban regions across the country.
Other facilities available to graduate students include a cartography studio, geology and geomedia labs, an urban planning and design studio, and laboratories dedicated to landscape ecology, river management and climate modelling.
Geograds represents all graduate students in the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment at Concordia University. In addition to organizing social events, Geograds co-sponsors seminars, provides informal mentoring for undergraduate students, and works in collaboration with the Geography Undergraduate Student Society and the Urban Planning Association.
Graduate students are also deeply involved in a variety of organizations on campus, including Sustainable Concordia, the Concordia Greenhouse (temporarily closed until winter 2025), Loyola Farm, the Hive Café Co-op, Frigo Vert and the People’s Potato.
Review an inspiring list of thesis topics.
Our alumni are highly sought after by independent consultancies, municipalities, research evaluation firms, universities, CEGEPs, GIS firms, non-governmental organizations and high schools. Recent graduates are working as engineers, GIS analysts and cartographers, planners, research analysts, instructors, managers, and tutors.
Examples of organizations and institutions our alumni are currently working for include:
- Champlain College
- City of Calgary
- City of Kingston
- City of London
- City of Moncton
- EEM Sustainable Management
- Kamloops Regional Farmers’ Market Society
- McGill University
- Qingdao Transportation Planning and Design Institute
- Science-Metrix Inc.
- Western University
Many graduates also choose to continue their studies at the Doctoral level.
Learn more about what types of careers geographers pursue after graduation.