Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Environment and Agriculture is a Level 9 taught master's designed around the relationship between agriculture and environmental sustainability. Lincoln University describes it as providing practical, research-based knowledge in agricultural science, environmental management and policy, with a focus on addressing challenges where agricultural production and environmental health intersect.

Key benefits for international students include:

• Develop knowledge of agricultural science, environmental management and environmental policy.
• Understand the relationship between agricultural practices and environmental health.
• Combine research and practical skills to address complex agriculture–environment challenges.
• Learn about M?ori environmental management, world views and agribusiness.
• Develop ethical and critical-thinking skills for socio-economic, cultural and political issues surrounding food production.
• Study sustainability from an international perspective.
• Build skills relevant to policy development and environmental decision-making.
• Choose electives across agriculture, environment, food, soil, conservation, agribusiness and related disciplines.
• Complete an individual research essay, placement or report under academic supervision.
• Prepare for professional roles in government, iwi, consultancy and agricultural organisations.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 180-credit programme consists of 100 compulsory credits plus 80 elective credits.

Compulsory courses:

• ERST 620 – Advanced Environmental Management Systems – 20 credits
• ERST 636 – Aspects of Sustainability: An International Perspective – 20 credits
• AGRI 602 – He Kai Kei Aku Rika: Integrating Agriculture, M?ori World Views, and Governance – 20 credits
• AGRI 601 – Future Ethical and Sustainable Agriculture – 20 credits
• ERST 698 – Research Essay – 20 credits

Students then select four 20-credit courses from Schedule B.

Available Schedule B options include:

• ANSC 636 – Topics in Advanced Livestock Production
• BMGT 612 – Advanced Business and Sustainability
• ECOL 609 – Conservation Biology
• ENGN 604 – Advanced Precision Agriculture
• FOOD 601 – Food Processing and Quality
• SOSC 627 – Advanced Soil Resources
• SOSC 630 – Soil Fertility and Management
• ECOL 612 – Wildlife Management
• ENSC 601 – Advanced Climate Change and Land Use
• ERST 625 – Systems Thinking and Dynamics
• ERST 633 – Integrated Environmental Management
• FOOD 606 – Food Safety and Security
• MGMT 624 – International Agribusiness Systems
• MGMT 643 – Consultancy and Extension for Agribusiness Systems
• PLPT 611 – Integrated Plant Protection
• FOOD 604 – Food Product Innovation
• MAST 603 – Mana Kaitiaki (M?ori Resource Management)
• PLSC 625 – Pasture Management Science

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is interdisciplinary rather than being divided into formal named specialisations.

Major study areas available through the compulsory and elective courses include:

• Agricultural science
• Environmental management
• Environmental policy
• Sustainability
• Maori environmental management
• Agribusiness
• Precision agriculture
• Soil science
• Climate change and land use
• Conservation biology
• Wildlife management
• Plant protection
• Livestock production
• Food processing and quality
• Food safety and security
• International agribusiness
• Environmental systems and integrated management 

Programme Highlights

• Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180 credits.
• Minimum 12-month full-time completion.
• Interdisciplinary focus combining agriculture and environmental sustainability.
• 100 compulsory credits plus 80 elective credits.
• Research-based learning through an individual research essay, placement or report.
• Maori environmental management and agribusiness included in the core curriculum.
• Strong emphasis on ethical and sustainable agriculture.
• Elective choices spanning agriculture, environment, food, conservation, soil and agribusiness.
• Campus-based delivery with some online learning options.
• February and July intakes available to international students; the November intake is currently domestic-only

Career Outcomes

Lincoln states that graduates will be well placed for careers with:

• International government agencies.
• National government agencies.
• Iwi organisations.
• Private environmental or agricultural consultancies.
• Domestic agricultural companies.
• International agricultural companies with environmental programmes.

Potential career directions include:

• Environmental management consultant
• Agricultural sustainability specialist
• Environmental policy adviser
• Sustainable agriculture adviser
• Agribusiness consultant
• Environmental programme manager
• Agricultural systems specialist
• Natural-resource management professional
• Government environmental or agricultural policy roles
• Sustainability and environmental programme roles

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The Master of Environment and Agriculture is a relatively new Lincoln University programme. Lincoln announced it in August 2024 as a response to the tension between agricultural productivity and environmental pressures, including climate change, water use, water quality and resource use.

Lincoln's more recent academic documentation confirms that AGRI 601 Future Ethical and Sustainable Agriculture and the M?ori agriculture/governance course were developed specifically for the programme.

Important current conditions include:

• Relevant Level 7 bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent.
• B average or better in the specified advanced/final-year undergraduate study.
• 180 credits required.
• International students must meet the applicable English-language requirement.
• November intake is currently restricted to domestic students.
• International students should apply for Semester 1 or Semester 2.
• Elective choices should be planned with a course adviser.
• The research essay/project is undertaken with academic supervision.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying on campus in New Zealand must hold a current valid visa permitting study at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln lists the following documents/information for a student visa application:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Evidence of NZ$20,000 per year for living expenses.
• Evidence of funds for travel home at the end of study or an air ticket.
• Visa application fee.
• Medical certificate or chest X-ray, if required.
• Police Certificate, if required.
• Additional documentation where applicable.

Immigration New Zealand's current Fee Paying Student Visa requirements state that tertiary students must demonstrate NZ$20,000 for each year of study, or NZ$1,667 per month where the study period is shorter than one year.

The current Fee Paying Student Visa:

• Allows full-time study at an approved education provider.
• Can be granted for up to four years, depending on the circumstances.
• Currently costs from NZ$850.
• May allow work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time work during specified holidays, depending on the student's individual visa conditions.