The Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism (BST) at Lincoln University is a three-year, 360-credit undergraduate degree designed around the future of sustainable and responsible tourism. It combines tourism studies with sustainability, environment, economics, policy, M?ori and Indigenous perspectives, management and practical experience. Lincoln describes it as its dedicated sustainable tourism degree and says the programme was developed with industry input to address changing tourism-sector needs.

The supplied IPU programme link does not relate to this Lincoln qualification. It currently opens an IPU Master of Contemporary International Studies page, while IPU's current international fee listing does not publicly identify this Lincoln Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism as an IPU programme. Therefore, any IPU-specific pathway, partnership, application procedure, fee arrangement or scholarship for this qualification is not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Focuses specifically on sustainable tourism and the changing needs of the global tourism industry.
• Combines tourism with environmental, social, cultural and economic perspectives.
• Helps students understand tourists as consumers and how their behaviour affects tourism demand and sustainability.
• Covers sustainable tourism products, structures, operations and systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
• Develops knowledge of sustainable tourism planning and destination management.
• Provides exposure to M?ori and bicultural approaches to tourism planning and development in New Zealand.
• Students learn from active tourism researchers using evidence-based research.
• Includes guest lectures, field trips and creative projects involving tourism-sector perspectives.
• Includes a practical experience component, helping students gain industry-relevant experience before graduation.
• Students can potentially add an additional major or minor, subject to programme requirements and academic advice. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree combines compulsory courses with programme-specific electives.

First Year – Semester 1

• LINC 101 – Land, People and Economies – 15 credits
• SOCI 116 – Society, Culture and Environment – 15 credits
• TOUR 101 – Introduction to Tourism – 15 credits
• One course from the Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism List A – 15 credits

First Year – Semester 2

• SOCI 117 – Introduction to New Zealand Government and Public Policy – 15 credits
• RECN 111 – Leisure Industry Leadership – 15 credits
• One course from the Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism List A – 15 credits
• One elective – 15 credits.

Second Year – Semester 1

• SOCI 204 – Research Methods – 15 credits
• TOUR 203 – Tourist Behaviour – 15 credits
• BMGT 116 – Principles of Management – 15 credits
• One Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism elective – 15 credits

Second Year – Semester 2

• LINC 201 – Sustainable Futures – 15 credits
• RECN 215 – Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Recreation – 15 credits
• TOUR 202 – Sustainable Tourism Systems – 15 credits
• One elective – 15 credits.

Third Year – Semester 1

• BMGT 301 – Business and Sustainability – 15 credits
• Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism elective courses
• One elective
• One elective

Third Year – Semester 2

• RECN 393 – Practicum: Practical Experience in Sport and Recreation and Tourism Management – 15 credits
• TOUR 303 – Sustainable Tourism Planning and Management – 15 credits
• One elective
• One elective. 

Programme-Specific Elective Lists

Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism List A includes:

• MAST 104 – Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) – 15 credits, Semester 1
• MAST 106 – Nga Tikanga Maori (M?ori Cultural Studies) – 15 credits, Semester 2.

Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism List B includes:

• MAST 206 – Whakatakoto Kaupapa (M?ori Planning and Development) – 15 credits, Semester 1.

Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism List C includes:

• TOUR 304 – Heritage Interpretation for Tourism and Recreation – 15 credits
• RECN 341 – Recreation and Tourism in Protected Natural Areas – 15 credits
• BMGT 315 – Project Planning and Management – 15 credits
• SOCI 315 – Policy and Practice – 15 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The degree does not appear to have separately named specialisations within the Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism itself. Instead, students can build their study profile through electives and may potentially add an additional major or minor.

Relevant areas include:

• Sustainable tourism
• Tourism planning and management
• Tourist behaviour
• Tourism systems
• Adventure tourism
• Outdoor recreation
• Tourism policy
• M?ori and Indigenous perspectives
• Heritage interpretation
• Protected-area tourism
• Business and sustainability
• Project planning and management
• Tourism research
• Environmental and destination sustainability.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year full-time undergraduate degree.
• 360 credits.
• Dedicated focus on sustainable tourism.
• Designed for a rapidly changing tourism industry.
• Combines environmental, social, cultural and economic perspectives.
• Includes sustainable tourism systems.
• Includes tourist behaviour and consumer understanding.
• Includes sustainability and business.
• Covers tourism planning and management.
• Includes M?ori and bicultural perspectives.
• Provides practical experience through a practicum.
• Includes field trips, guest lectures and creative projects.
• Developed in consultation with industry.
• Potential to add an additional major or minor.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue roles across commercial, public, non-profit, community and environmental tourism organisations.

Lincoln specifically identifies potential employers and areas including:

• Commercial tourism operators
• Iwi-owned tourism operators
• Destination management organisations
• Local government
• Department of Conservation and related agencies.

Potential career directions include:

• Sustainable tourism management
• Tourism planning
• Destination management
• Tourism operations
• Tourism consultancy
• Tourism product development
• Sustainable tourism development
• Tourism marketing
• Ecotourism
• Cultural tourism
• Heritage tourism
• Adventure tourism
• Protected-area tourism
• Tourism policy
• Community tourism development
• Environmental and conservation tourism.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest official programme page currently shows:

• November Summer School: 9 November 2026
• Semester 1: 22 February 2027
• Semester 2: 19 July 2027
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Credits: 360
• 2026 international fee estimate: NZ$35,000 for 120 credits.

Key programme requirements include:

• At least 360 credits.
• Completion of all compulsory courses.
• No more than 165 credits at 100 level.
• At least 75 credits at 300 level.
• Completion of the required programme structure and electives.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current valid visa that permits them to undertake their study in New Zealand. Lincoln directs new students to Immigration New Zealand for the visa application.

For a new international student, Lincoln lists the following requirements:

• 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 the applicant's circumstances, Immigration New Zealand may also request:

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