Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Environmental Policy and Management (MEPM) at Lincoln University is a 180-credit taught master's designed for students who want advanced knowledge and practical analytical skills in environmental policy and management. The programme focuses on finding solutions to complex environmental challenges and developing the ability to analyse environmental issues from interdisciplinary perspectives.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced environmental policy, planning and management knowledge.
• Build analytical and problem-solving skills for complex environmental issues.
• Study the relationship between environmental science, policy and management.
• Develop knowledge of environmental impact assessment, sustainability, environmental management systems and environmental law.
• Gain exposure to M?ori resource management and perspectives relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Study environmental economics and applied policy analysis.
• Develop skills relevant to government, private-sector, NGO and international environmental organisations.
• Flexible study options are available, including online study.
• The programme can be completed as a full-time master's or used as a progression route from Lincoln's postgraduate environmental qualifications.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme requires 180 credits of approved courses. The regulations identify 40 credits of core courses, 80 credits from a specified group of environmental-policy and management courses, and a further 60 credits from approved master's-level courses that form a coherent programme of study.

Core courses:

• ERST 630 – Environmental Policy and Planning – 20 credits
• ERST 633 – Integrated Environmental Management – 20 credits

Other courses listed in the programme regulations include:

• ERST 601 – Advanced Theory in Resource Studies
• ERST 620 – Advanced Environmental Management Systems
• ERST 621 – Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment
• ERST 631 – Environmental Sciences in Environmental Policy
• ERST 632 – Economics in Environmental Policy
• ERST 634 – Applied Policy Analysis
• ERST 636 – Aspects of Sustainability: An International Perspective
• LWST 602 – Advanced Resource Management and Planning Law
• MAST 603 – Mana Kaitiaki (M?ori Resource Management)

Each of these listed courses is 20 credits under the programme regulations.

Examples of subject content include:

• Environmental policy analysis and planning.
• Environmental science and its relationship with policy.
• Integrated environmental management.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Environmental management systems.
• Environmental economics.
• Applied policy analysis.
• Sustainability from an international perspective.
• Resource management and planning law.
• Maori resource management.
• Advanced resource studies. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not appear to offer separately named majors or formal specialisations.

Instead, students can develop their study around areas such as:

• Environmental policy.
• Environmental management.
• Environmental planning.
• Sustainability.
• Environmental science.
• Environmental economics.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Resource management.
• Environmental law.
• Maori resource management.
• Applied policy analysis.

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit Level 9 taught master's.
• Approximately 18 months of full-time study.
• Three-semester structure.
• On-campus and online study options.
• Strong interdisciplinary environmental focus.
• Core study in environmental policy and planning.
• Integrated environmental management.
• Options covering environmental science, economics, sustainability, impact assessment and environmental law.
• M?ori resource management included among the approved course options.
• Can be studied full-time or, subject to regulations, spread over additional semesters.
• Can be connected with Lincoln's postgraduate environmental-management study pathways.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln states that graduates from its environmental management programmes are in demand, with employment opportunities across environmental policy, planning and management. Alumni work in:

• Central government.
• Local government.
• M?ori organisations.
• Private-sector organisations.
• Non-governmental organisations.
• International organisations.

Potential career areas include:

• Environmental policy analysis.
• Environmental management.
• Environmental planning.
• Sustainability management.
• Environmental consultancy.
• Resource management.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Government environmental policy.
• Conservation and environmental programmes.
• NGO and international development work.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Lincoln published an update on 26 February 2026 announcing two new internationally recognised lecturers supporting delivery of the Master of Environmental Policy and Management. Dr Priyan Perera specialises in environmental management, conservation science and sustainability practice, while Dr Waranan Tantiwat specialises in environmental economics.

The programme is also being delivered in partnership with Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, with teaching staff travelling between the campuses.

The latest Lincoln programme page currently lists the next starts as 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying in New Zealand, the appropriate New Zealand student visa and its conditions must be obtained before commencing study.

Lincoln's programme page confirms that the programme can be studied online as well as at the Lincoln campus. Therefore, visa requirements depend on whether the student is physically entering New Zealand to study or completing the programme online from overseas.

For students travelling to New Zealand, typical student-visa documentation includes:

• Offer of Place from the education provider.
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment or approved fee arrangement.
• Valid passport.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living costs.
• Evidence of onward/return travel or funds to purchase travel.
• Visa application and supporting documentation.
• Medical or chest X-ray evidence where Immigration New Zealand requires it.
• Police certificates where required.