Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science at Lincoln University is a flexible postgraduate qualification designed to build advanced science knowledge through courses drawn from Lincoln’s master’s-level programmes. It can be taken as a standalone qualification or used as a pathway towards further postgraduate study, including a Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s degree.

Key benefits for international students include:

• Advanced study in applied science and related disciplines.
• Flexibility to select courses from several Lincoln master’s programmes.
• Opportunity to explore applied science in areas connected with agriculture, horticulture, environmental management, science and natural-resource management.
• A shorter 60-credit qualification that can be completed in one semester full-time.
• Option to use the qualification as a stepping stone towards further postgraduate study.
• Study at New Zealand’s specialist land-based university, with a strong focus on science, sustainability, agriculture, ecosystems and natural resources.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science is deliberately flexible. Students must complete 60 credits from the schedules of courses associated with:

• Master of Agricultural Science
• Master of Horticultural Science
• Master of Applied Science
• Master of Science.

Lincoln's current programme page identifies the following examples of 20-credit courses available in Semester 1:

• FINC 603 – Commercial Banking
• MGMT 638 – Agribusiness Organisations
• TOUR 603 – Tourism Management
• SOSC 629 – Soil Physics
• ERST 624 – Advanced Professional Planning Methods and Practice
• RECN 627 – Advanced Sport and Recreation Management
• PSYC 602 – Advanced Social Psychology of Wellbeing
• ECOL 612 – Wildlife Management
• ECON 602 – International Trade
• ERST 621 – Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment
• WATR 603 – Water Management, Policy and Planning.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no fixed named specialisations within the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science itself.

Instead, students can build a study combination around areas represented within Lincoln's master's-level science programmes.

Potential subject areas include:

• Agricultural science
• Horticultural science
• Applied science
• Environmental management
• Environmental impact assessment
• Soil science and soil physics
• Ecology and wildlife management
• Water management, policy and planning
• Agribusiness
• International trade
• Tourism
• Sport and recreation
• Social psychology
• Planning and resource-related studies.

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate Certificate qualification.
• NZQF Level 8.
• 60 credits.
• Normally one semester full-time.
• February and July intakes.
• Lincoln University Campus.
• 2026 international tuition estimate: NZ$21,000 for 60 credits.
• Flexible course selection from master's-level science programmes.
• Can be studied as a standalone qualification.
• Can provide a pathway towards further postgraduate study.
• Course options span science, agricultural science, horticultural science and applied science disciplines.

Career Outcomes

Because students can select courses from different master's programmes, career outcomes depend heavily on the student's previous degree and chosen course combination.

Potential career directions can include:

• Agricultural and agribusiness roles
• Horticultural and plant-related roles
• Environmental management
• Environmental assessment and planning
• Soil and land-resource management
• Ecology and wildlife management
• Water-resource management
• Science-related technical roles
• Research support
• Applied science consultancy
• Sustainability and natural-resource roles.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current and valid visa to study in New Zealand at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the 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 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.

Students may additionally be asked for:

• Medical certificates or chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information where the applicant is under 18.