The Postgraduate Diploma in Land and Society at Lincoln University is a multidisciplinary Level 8 qualification focused on how people, societies and their physical and natural environments interact. The programme combines theory with practical methods for evaluating socio-physical issues and developing solutions to real-world problems.

Key benefits for international students include:

• Develop advanced knowledge of the relationship between people, society and the environment.
• Build quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.
• Develop advanced research-design and research-conducting capabilities.
• Improve information evaluation and professional communication skills.
• Apply academic knowledge to practical land, environmental and societal challenges.
• Study across social science, environmental management, resource management and related areas.
• Complete the qualification as a standalone postgraduate diploma or use it as a pathway towards a master's degree

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme requires 120 credits and is normally completed over one year of full-time study.

The published structure is:

Semester 1:

• ERST 601 – Advanced Theory in Resource Studies, 20 credits.
• One course from PG Dip Land and Society List A.
• One course from PG Dip Land and Society List B.

Semester 2:

• One course from PG Dip Land and Society List A.
• One course from PG Dip Land and Society List B.
• One elective.

List A requires one of:

• SOCI 601 – Social Science Research Methods (Quantitative), 20 credits, Semester 1.
• SOCI 602 – Social Science Research Methods (Qualitative), 20 credits, Semester 2.

List B requires two courses from:

• MAST 603 – Mana Kaitiaki (M?ori Resource Management), 20 credits.
• PSYC 602 – Advanced Social Psychology of Wellbeing, 20 credits.
• ERST 621 – Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment, 20 credits.

Students can also take a maximum of 40 credits at 600 level from the wider Schedule of Courses, subject to approval from the Academic Coordinator. The purpose of this approval is to ensure that the selected courses form a coherent programme of study.

Major subject areas therefore include:

• Resource studies.
• Social science research.
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• M?ori resource management.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Social psychology and wellbeing.
• Land and environmental interactions.
• Human-environment relationships.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not identify separate formal specialisations. Instead, it uses a multidisciplinary course structure.

Relevant disciplinary areas include:

• Land and society.
• Environmental management.
• Resource studies.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• M?ori resource management.
• Sociology and social research.
• Psychology and wellbeing.
• Natural-resource management.
• Environmental and land-use planning.

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate Diploma qualification.
• NZQF Level 8.
• 120 credits.
• 1 year full-time.
• Part-time study may be available.
• Lincoln University Campus.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.
• Latest published starts: 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027.
• 2026 international tuition estimate: NZ$38,000 for 120 credits.
• Multidisciplinary study of people, society and physical/natural environments.
• Research and analytical skills development.
• Quantitative and qualitative research components.
• Opportunity to study M?ori resource management and environmental impact assessment.
• Can be completed as a standalone qualification or used to staircase towards master's study.

Career Outcomes

The programme develops skills applicable to careers involving land, resources, society and environmental decision-making.

Potential career areas include:

• Environmental management.
• Resource management.
• Environmental planning.
• Land-use planning.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Natural-resource management.
• Sustainability.
• Social and environmental research.
• Government and local-authority roles.
• M?ori resource-management organisations.
• Environmental consultancy.
• Community and development organisations.
• Policy and planning.
• Further postgraduate research and master's study.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying in New Zealand at Lincoln University must hold a current, valid visa. Lincoln's current guidance states that new students need:

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

Immigration New Zealand may additionally request:

• Medical certificates or a chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information if the student will be under 18 when study begins.