Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering (MNaRM&EE) is a two-year, multidisciplinary research master's focused on sustainable development and the management of natural resources. Lincoln University describes it as a programme designed to address major global challenges including population growth, environmental degradation and increasing competition for declining resources.

Key benefits include:

• Multidisciplinary study combining natural-resource management, ecological engineering, environmental policy, sustainability and research.
• Opportunity to design an individual study programme around research and career objectives.
• A semester of study at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria.
• International learning experience covering New Zealand, Austrian and wider international approaches to resource management.
• Development of advanced research, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Exposure to M?ori and indigenous approaches to natural-resource management and ecological engineering.
• Practical understanding of how environmental policies, institutions, stakeholders and international agreements influence resource-management decisions.
• Opportunity to undertake a substantial 120-credit research thesis at Lincoln University.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme allows students to construct a multidisciplinary programme aligned with their research and career objectives.

Lincoln component:

Students must take at least one of:

• ERST 630 – Environmental Policy and Planning, 20 credits
• ERST 636 – Aspects of Sustainability: An International Perspective, 20 credits

Students must also take at least one research-oriented course from:

• ECOL 608 – Research Methods in Ecology
• ECON 615 – Applied Research Methods
• ERST 601 – Advanced Theory in Resource Studies
• ERST 606 – Advanced Geographic Information Systems A
• ERST 607 – Advanced Geographic Information Systems B
• SOCI 601 – Social Science Research Methods (Quantitative)
• SOCI 602 – Social Science Research Methods (Qualitative)

The remaining coursework includes approved elective courses.

BOKU component:

• Minimum 60 Lincoln credits, equivalent to 30 ECTS.
• Courses are selected from an approved BOKU programme.
• The BOKU study component forms part of the international and multidisciplinary structure of the degree.

Research component:

• 120-credit thesis at Lincoln University.
• Thesis topic must be approved.
• BOKU co-supervision may be possible where approved by the Academic Board.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme specifically identifies four areas in which students can focus their degree:

• Ecological Engineering
• Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management
• Risk Management
• International Business and Sustainability

The programme's multidisciplinary course structure can additionally support research in areas such as:

• Environmental policy and planning
• Sustainability
• Natural-resource management
• Ecology
• Geographic information systems
• Environmental research methods
• Social science research
• Indigenous and M?ori resource management
• Environmental risk
• Ecological engineering

Programme Highlights

• Two-year full-time master's.
• 240-credit Level 9 qualification.
• Multidisciplinary natural-resource and ecological-engineering focus.
• International study at BOKU University in Vienna.
• Minimum 30 ECTS / 60 Lincoln credits at BOKU.
• 120-credit research thesis at Lincoln.
• Four stated focus areas.
• Flexible course selection.
• Exposure to New Zealand, Austrian and international environmental-management systems.
• Development of research, analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.
• International perspective on sustainability and natural-resource challenges.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln states that career opportunities are wide-ranging and include:

• Environmental resource-management consulting.
• Ecological engineering consulting.
• Government organisations.
• Non-government research organisations.
• Environmental and natural-resource research.
• Advising communities and community-owned associations.
• Higher-education consulting and related roles.

The programme can also support careers in:

• Environmental policy and planning.
• Conservation and biodiversity.
• Sustainability.
• Risk management.
• Ecological restoration.
• Natural-resource governance.
• Environmental research.
• Environmental consultancy.
• Further doctoral research.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest Lincoln programme page currently shows the next starts as:

• 22 February 2027
• 19 July 2027

Important requirements and conditions include:

• Relevant Level 7 bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent.
• B average or better in specified advanced undergraduate study.
• Approval of the candidate and course of study.
• 60 credits at Lincoln plus 60 credits / 30 ECTS at BOKU.
• 120-credit Lincoln thesis.
• International study in Vienna.
• English-language requirements where applicable.
• Research topic and course selections subject to approval. 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying at Lincoln must hold a current, valid New Zealand visa permitting study.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the Student Visa application requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of NZ$20,000 per year for living expenses.
• Evidence of funds for return travel to the student's home country, or an air ticket.
• Visa application fee.

Immigration New Zealand may additionally request:

• Medical certificates or chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Other supporting information depending on the applicant's circumstances