Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management at Lincoln University is a postgraduate qualification focused on the theory and applied practice of resource management and environmental stewardship. It is designed for students who want advanced knowledge of environmental management and the ability to synthesise academic research when evaluating environmental theory and practice.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge of environmental management and resource management.
• Learn to evaluate environmental theory and practice using academic research.
• Study contemporary environmental issues involving resource use, environmental protection and sustainability.
• Build interdisciplinary knowledge across environmental management, planning, law, ecology, M?ori resource management and water management.
• Choose courses that can support progression into further postgraduate study.
• Complete the qualification as a standalone postgraduate certificate or use it as a pathway towards relevant master's study.
• Access online study options, providing flexibility for eligible international students studying from outside New Zealand.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The certificate requires 60 credits, all at 600 level. Students must follow the programme's specified combination of courses and have their final selection approved by the Academic Coordinator.

The structure includes:

• 20 credits from ERST601, ERST630 or MAST603.
• At least 20 credits across three courses carrying ERST, LWST, MAST, ECOL or WATR prefixes.
• Up to one additional 20-credit elective from the approved schedule.

Examples of relevant subjects and topics include:

• Integrated environmental management.
• Advanced environmental management systems.
• Advanced resource management and planning law.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• M?ori resource management.
• Water management, policy and planning.
• Ecology and wildlife management.
• Environmental policy and management.

Examples of current courses include:

• ERST 633 – Integrated Environmental Management: develops an interdisciplinary approach to identifying and addressing environmental-management problems.
• ERST 620 – Advanced Environmental Management Systems: examines environmental management systems, their applications, limitations and organisational contexts.
• ERST 621 – Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment: covers the structure, methods and application of environmental impact assessment in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• LWST 602 – Advanced Resource Management and Planning Law: examines resource-management and planning law, including the Resource Management Act and Local Government Act.
• MAST 603 – Mana Kaitiaki (M?ori Resource Management): examines M?ori environmental values, customary and contemporary approaches to natural-resource management and resource-management issues from a M?ori perspective.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There is no separately named specialisation within the Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management.

The main discipline is Environmental Management, with interdisciplinary study potentially covering:

• Environmental management
• Resource management
• Environmental policy
• Environmental planning
• Resource-management law
• Environmental impact assessment
• Environmental management systems
• M?ori environmental management
• Ecology and conservation
• Water management
• Natural-resource management.

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate Certificate qualification.
• NZQF Level 8.
• 60 credits.
• Normally one semester full-time.
• February and July 2027 intakes.
• Lincoln University Campus or online.
• 2026 international tuition estimate: NZ$19,000 for 60 credits.
• Relevant Level 7 bachelor's degree required.
• B- average or better required in the specified 300-level and final-year courses.
• All 60 credits are at 600 level.
• Flexible selection of approved environmental-management courses.
• Can be completed as a standalone qualification.
• Can provide a pathway towards further postgraduate study.
• Online study is available, but the online version is not available to international students who are already in New Zealand.

Career Outcomes

The qualification is particularly relevant to students seeking to strengthen their knowledge for environmental and resource-management careers.

Potential career areas include:

• Environmental management
• Environmental consultancy
• Resource management
• Environmental policy
• Environmental planning
• Environmental impact assessment
• Sustainability and environmental strategy
• Natural-resource management
• Water-resource management
• Environmental management systems
• Conservation and ecological management
• Local and central government environmental roles.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who study the programme on campus in New Zealand must hold a current, valid New Zealand visa. Lincoln requires new international students to provide:

• 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.
• Evidence of funds for travel to the student's home country at the end of study or an air ticket.
• Visa application fee.