Lincoln University

What you'll study

This one-year (full-time equivalent) graduate diploma combines interdisciplinary taught modules and applied practical work to develop skills in environmental assessment, resource management and sustainable land use. Core topics typically include:

• Environmental systems and ecology – fundamentals of ecosystem function, biodiversity and habitat management.
• Resource and environmental policy – New Zealand and international policy frameworks, statutory planning and governance for natural resources.
• Environmental impact assessment and management – methods for assessing and managing environmental effects of projects and land-use change.
• Land and water management – catchment and soil management, water quality, irrigation and sustainable agriculture linkages.
• GIS and spatial analysis – applied geographic information systems for environmental decision-making and mapping.
• Climate change and adaptation – principles of climate science, vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning.
• Research methods and project work – quantitative and qualitative methods, culminating in an applied project, field study or consultancy-style report.
• Indigenous and community perspectives – mātauranga Māori and community engagement approaches to environmental management.

Students follow a mix of lectures, workshops, field practicals and a substantial applied piece of work that integrates technical skills with policy and stakeholder engagement.

Entry requirements

Admission is for applicants who hold a recognised undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as environmental science, ecology, agriculture, geography, planning, engineering or a closely related field. Applicants with other degrees plus relevant professional experience may also be considered.

• Academic background: an undergraduate degree or equivalent in a related field; selection may consider the relevance of prior study and academic performance.
• Professional experience: applicants without a directly related degree should demonstrate recent relevant work experience in environmental, land-management or planning roles.
• English language: applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the university's English language proficiency requirements.
• Other requirements: applicants may be asked to provide a CV, statement of purpose and referee contacts to demonstrate suitability for the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme are prepared for roles across public, private and non-government sectors that require applied environmental knowledge and technical skills. Typical career paths include:

• Environmental consultant or assessor, undertaking impact assessments and mitigation planning.
• Resource management planner or advisor for local and regional councils.
• Sustainability or environmental officer roles within industry and agribusiness.
• Catchment and water-quality manager, working for utilities, regional authorities or catchment groups.
• Conservation practitioner or biodiversity officer with conservation organisations and NGOs.
• Policy analyst in central government or non-governmental organisations focused on climate, land use and natural resource management.

The programme’s applied project component and industry links help students build a portfolio of practical work and professional contacts valued by employers.

Why study at Lincoln University

Lincoln University is New Zealand’s specialist land-based university with a strong reputation for applied teaching and research in agriculture, environment and natural resources. The campus’s proximity to diverse Canterbury ecosystems provides excellent opportunities for field-based learning and practical sampling. Students benefit from small cohort sizes, access to dedicated GIS and laboratory facilities, and established relationships with regional councils, iwi, agribusiness and environmental consultancies.

Lincoln’s interdisciplinary environment means students can draw on expertise across ecology, soil and water science, policy and business, while teaching emphasises hands-on skills, industry-relevant tools and engagement with tangata whenua perspectives in environmental decision-making.