Why Study / Key Benefits

The Graduate Diploma in Resource Studies at Lincoln University is designed for graduates who want to develop an advanced understanding of the relationships between economy, society and ecology and how these relationships influence environmental decision-making. Lincoln describes environmental issues as a growing area of interest in New Zealand and internationally, with opportunities in private-sector organisations and local and central government.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge of environmental and resource-management issues.
• Understand the economic, ecological and social dimensions of environmental decision-making.
• Study topics such as environmental planning, environmental policy, resource-management law and M?ori environmental management.
• Build knowledge relevant to environmental consultancy, government and environmental strategy roles.
• Choose electives that allow the programme to be tailored to individual interests.
• Develop a foundation for further postgraduate study in environmental management, planning, resource management or related fields.
• Study at Lincoln University, New Zealand's specialist land-based university, with its strong focus on environment, sustainability and land-based disciplines.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification requires 120 credits, with at least 75 credits at 300 level. The remaining credits are selected from the Schedule of Courses, subject to the 100-level restriction.

Lincoln recommends courses from the Bachelor of Environmental Management as electives and provides a specific list of Graduate Diploma Resource Studies electives.

Semester 1 Graduate Diploma Resource Studies electives include:

• BMGT 301 – Business and Sustainability – 15 credits
• ERST 340 – Environmental Planning – 15 credits
• LWST 302 – Resource Management Law – 15 credits.

Semester 2 Graduate Diploma Resource Studies electives include:

• SOCI 314 – Professional Practice – 15 credits
• ERST 302 – Environmental Policy – 15 credits
• MAST 319 – Te Kaitiakitaka (M?ori Environmental Management) – 15 credits.

Students must choose a minimum of four courses from this Graduate Diploma Resource Studies elective list, with the remainder of the 120 credits selected from the Schedule of Courses according to the programme regulations.

Major subject areas therefore include:

• Business and sustainability
• Environmental planning
• Resource-management law
• Professional practice
• Environmental policy
• M?ori environmental management
• Environmental management
• Natural-resource management
• Environmental decision-making
• Economic, social and ecological relationships.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no separately named specialisations within the Graduate Diploma in Resource Studies.

The main discipline is Resource Studies, within Lincoln's broader Environment and Sustainability academic area. Lincoln's Environment area includes qualifications in environmental management, land and society, planning, natural resources, water management and related fields.

Students can customise part of their study through approved electives, particularly toward:

• Environmental policy
• Environmental planning
• Resource management
• Maori environmental management
• Sustainability
• Environmental consultancy
• Natural-resource management.

Programme Highlights

• Graduate Diploma qualification.
• 120 credits.
• 1 year full-time.
• Lincoln University Campus.
• February and July intakes.
• 2026 international tuition estimate of NZ$35,000.
• Minimum 75 credits at 300 level.
• Maximum 15 credits at 100 level.
• Flexible elective-based structure.
• Recommended electives from the Bachelor of Environmental Management.
• Coverage of environmental, economic and social dimensions of resource management.
• Options covering environmental policy, planning, law, sustainability and M?ori environmental management.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln states that environmental issues are a growing area of interest in New Zealand and overseas and that career opportunities exist in the private sector as well as local and central government.

Potential career areas include:

• Environmental consultancy
• Environmental policy
• Environmental planning
• Resource management
• Sustainability management
• Natural-resource management
• Environmental assessment
• Government environmental roles
• Local-authority resource-management roles
• Environmental strategy
• Sustainability advisory work
• Environmental project coordination.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a valid New Zealand visa allowing them to study at Lincoln University. Lincoln directs applicants to Immigration New Zealand for the student-visa process.

Lincoln lists the following information/documents for new international students:

• 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.
• Medical certificate or chest X-ray if required.
• Police Certificate if required.