Geography bridges the natural and social sciences. It examines places, environments, and the relationships between people and the world around them, including how physical processes and human activity shape places over time.
Degrees in geography often include fieldwork and other practical learning activities. Depending on the program, students may develop skills in data collection and analysis, spatial technologies, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and presentation.
Studying geography abroad can add international experience to your education and expose you to new environments and perspectives. Below are five countries to consider when exploring geography study options abroad.
Top Countries to Study Geography
1. Belgium
Belgium is a country in Western Europe with three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Though there are several English-taught programs in Belgian universities, studying in multilingual Belgium can also provide opportunities to encounter other languages.
Belgium is a strong option for geography because several universities currently offer geography-related programs. Ghent University offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in Geography and Geomatics, while KU Leuven and Vrije Universiteit Brussel jointly organize a two-year Master of Geography. UCLouvain and the University of Liège also offer geography programs.
Belgian universities offering geography-related study options include the University of Liège, Ghent University, KU Leuven, UCLouvain, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
2. Brazil
Brazil is known for Carnival and a wide range of cultural traditions. International students considering the country should compare each university’s location, language of instruction, and admissions requirements.
Brazil offers geography study options at several public universities. The University of São Paulo (USP) lists bachelor’s and teacher-training tracks in Geography. The State University of Campinas (Unicamp) offers daytime and evening Geography programs, with bachelor’s and teacher-training tracks. The University of Brasília and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro also maintain geography programs.
Geography study in Brazil can cover physical, human, and technical approaches to the discipline. Universities in Brazil with geography programs include the University of São Paulo, State University of Campinas, University of Brasília, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
3. Australia
Australia offers geography students opportunities to study a wide range of environments and urban settings. Its universities offer programs and majors that can cover physical geography, human geography, environmental systems, and geospatial study.
Australian geography options frequently combine social and environmental science with field-based or practical learning. For example, the University of Melbourne says its Geography major combines social and environmental science with theory and practical fieldwork. The University of Queensland describes Geography study as addressing issues such as climate change and population growth through an understanding of natural and social systems.
Australian universities with geography-related study options include the Australian National University, James Cook University, Griffith University, University of Queensland, and the University of Melbourne.
4. New Zealand
New Zealand’s universities include several institutions with current geography programs, and students can explore topics through classroom study, fieldwork, and research. The country’s varied landscapes can provide useful settings for studying environmental and geographical questions.
Geography programs in New Zealand can cover human geography, physical geography, environmental management, planning, GIS, and related fields. At the University of Auckland, Geography can be studied as a major in either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, and fieldwork is an integral part of the subject. The University of Otago offers programs in Environmental Management, Human Geography, International Development Planning, Physical Geography, and Planning. The University of Canterbury lists physical geography, human geography, GIS, and resource and environmental management among its pathways.
Universities in New Zealand with geography programs include the University of Otago, University of Auckland, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Canterbury.
5. Japan
Japan hosts a large international student community. According to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), 408,069 international students were enrolled in Japan as of May 1, 2025. Students comparing costs can review this overview of lower-cost university options in Japan and then check each institution’s current fee page before applying.
Students interested in geography should carefully review the language of instruction and degree structure for each institution. For example, the University of Tsukuba offers a four-year undergraduate Geoscience program in English aimed at students who hold non-Japanese passports.
Geography-related study and research options are available at institutions such as the University of Tsukuba, Kyoto University, Hokkaido University, and Kyushu University. Kyoto University lists Geography within its Faculty and Graduate School of Letters, while Kyushu University includes Geography within its graduate humanities offerings. Hokkaido University also has geography-related study and research in areas such as environmental geography and GIS.
For broader university information, you can also review the University of Tokyo profile.
We hope that this article on the best countries to study geography abroad was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.
