Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management at Lincoln University is a Level 8 postgraduate qualification designed for students who want advanced knowledge of environmental management and policy. The programme develops critical analysis, evaluation, problem-solving and communication skills, preparing graduates to design approaches to resource-management and environmental-stewardship challenges and communicate them at a senior level.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced study of environmental management theory and practice.
• Strong focus on environmental policy, resource management and environmental stewardship.
• Development of critical analysis, evaluation, problem-solving and professional communication skills.
• Flexible course selection allowing students to build a coherent environmental-management study plan.
• Option to study on campus or fully online.
• Opportunity to use the qualification as a standalone postgraduate diploma or staircase into a relevant master's degree.
• Relevance to environmental management, planning, resource management, ecology, water management and related sustainability fields.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Students must complete 120 credits, all at 600 level, according to the programme regulations.

The required structure includes:

• 20 credits from ERST 601, ERST 630 or MAST 603.
• At least 60 credits from approved environmental/resource-related prefixes including ERST, LWST, MAST, ECOL and WATR, or an approved research-methods course.
• Up to 40 credits from the approved wider course schedule.
• Academic Coordinator approval of the final course combination.

The programme can cover topics such as:

• Advanced environmental management.
• Environmental policy.
• Integrated environmental management.
• Environmental management systems.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Resource-management and planning law.
• M?ori resource management.
• Ecology and conservation.
• Water management.
• Environmental risk and resilience.
• Geographic information systems.
• Environmental economics and policy.
• Sustainability.
• Research methods.

Examples of relevant courses include:

• ERST 601 – Advanced Theory in Resource Studies.
• ERST 620 – Advanced Environmental Management Systems.
• ERST 621 – Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment.
• ERST 633 – Integrated Environmental Management.
• LWST 602 – Advanced Resource Management and Planning Law.
• MAST 603 – Mana Kaitiaki (M?ori Resource Management).
• WATR 603 – Water Management, Policy and Planning

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not list separate formal specialisations. Instead, students create a coherent programme through approved course selection.

Key disciplinary areas include:

• Environmental management.
• Environmental policy.
• Resource management.
• Environmental planning.
• Ecology and conservation.
• Water management.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Resource-management law.
• M?ori resource management.
• Sustainability.
• Environmental management systems.
• Environmental economics and policy.
• Geographic information systems.
• Environmental research methods.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120 credits.
• 1 year full-time.
• Part-time study possible.
• Campus or online study.
• 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.
• Advanced environmental-management and policy focus.
• Flexible course selection.
• Can be completed as a standalone qualification.
• Can provide a pathway towards relevant master's programmes.

Career Outcomes

The programme is designed to prepare graduates to address environmental management and resource-management issues at an advanced level.

Potential career areas include:

• Environmental management.
• Environmental policy.
• Resource management.
• Environmental planning.
• Sustainability.
• Conservation and ecology.
• Water-resource management.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Environmental consultancy.
• Government and local-authority environmental roles.
• Natural-resource management.
• Environmental management systems.
• Research and further postgraduate study.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying on campus at Lincoln University must hold a current, valid New Zealand visa. Lincoln 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 for travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket.
• Visa application fee.

Depending on individual circumstances, Immigration New Zealand may also require:

• Medical certificates or a chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information for students who will be under 18 when study begins