Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Environmental Management (BEM) is a multidisciplinary degree combining physical sciences and social sciences. It focuses on the relationship between the environment, economy, society and culture.
• The programme is designed around major environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and declining freshwater quality.
• Students develop knowledge of environmental-management principles, tools, strategies and systems and learn to apply them in different environmental situations.
• The degree develops professional skills including critical analysis, environmental decision-making, information evaluation, communication and application of environmental-management methods.
• The programme also develops understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Indigenous knowledge, bicultural and intercultural competency, and equity and justice perspectives relevant to sustainability.
• Lincoln states that the degree can provide the academic background needed for professional certification through the New Zealand Association of Resource Management, although the degree itself is not professional accreditation; relevant work experience is also required.
• Students can potentially add an additional major, with Lincoln specifically identifying Water Management, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism as examples.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current programme structure is organised across three years and combines compulsory courses, BEM course lists and electives. Lincoln notes that the structure is indicative and that a course advisor helps students select electives and plan their degree.

Year 1 includes:

• Society, Culture and Environment
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi)
• Land, People and Economies
• Introduction to Earth and Ecological Sciences
• Introduction to New Zealand Government and Public Policy
• Ecology I: New Zealand Ecology and Conservation
• Environmental Economics
• One elective

Year 2 includes:

• Whakatakoto Kaupapa (M?ori Planning and Development)
• Environmental Monitoring and Resource Assessment
• Sustainable Futures
• Environmental Analysis
• B.E.M. List A courses
• B.E.M. List B courses

Year 3 includes:

• Te Kaitiakitaka (M?ori Environmental Management)
• B.E.M. List C courses
• Electives
• Transitions to Sustainability, which is identified as compulsory but is currently shown as an Environmental Studies course pending approval.

Examples of B.E.M. List A courses include:

• Biological Diversity
• Environmental Analysis with Geographic Information Systems
• Applied Agroforestry
• Agricultural Systems and Sustainability
• Physical Landscapes: Formation and Function
• Freshwater Resources

Examples of B.E.M. List B courses include:

• Land Economics
• Research Methods
• The Living City
• Principles of Urban and Regional Planning

Examples of B.E.M. List C courses include:

• Environmental Planning
• Resource Management Law
• Environmental Policy
• Catchment Management 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The degree is multidisciplinary rather than being presented as a set of fixed named specialisations.

Core disciplinary areas include:

• Environmental management
• Environmental science
• Ecology and conservation
• Environmental economics
• Environmental policy
• Environmental planning
• Resource management
• M?ori environmental management
• Sustainability
• Freshwater resources
• Geographic Information Systems
• Resource management law
• Catchment management
• Urban and regional planning
• Agricultural systems and sustainability 

Programme Highlights

• 360-credit multidisciplinary bachelor's degree.
• 3 years full-time.
• Focus on climate change, biodiversity, freshwater and broader sustainability challenges.
• Combines physical and social sciences.
• Strong emphasis on environmental decision-making and practical professional skills.
• Includes New Zealand environmental policy, planning and resource-management perspectives.
• Incorporates Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Indigenous knowledge.
• Opportunities to study environmental economics, ecology, GIS, freshwater resources, environmental policy, environmental planning and resource-management law.
• Potential additional majors including Water Management, Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
• Provides academic preparation relevant to professional certification through the New Zealand Association of Resource Management, subject to the association's additional requirements.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln identifies employment opportunities across:

• Primary sector
• Resource-management agencies
• Sustainability organisations
• Conservation organisations
• Community organisations
• Local government
• Regional government
• Central government
• Private development consultancies
• Corporations

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current Lincoln programme page lists upcoming starts from November 2026 through July 2027.

A significant current programme note is that some Environmental Studies courses are pending approval. Lincoln specifically lists Participation, Engagement and Advocacy and Transitions to Sustainability among these courses, with Transitions to Sustainability identified as compulsory.

Lincoln also states that programme information, courses, staffing, entry requirements and fees can change without notice and recommends that prospective students confirm information with the relevant faculty/department and, for international students, the Enrolment Office.

IPU-specific special requirements: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student undertaking this full-time bachelor's degree in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to individual circumstances.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to have:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character.
• A genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.