Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Environment and Society (MEnvSoc) is an interdisciplinary master's degree examining the relationship between environmental change and society.
• It is designed for graduates from areas including environmental sciences, social sciences, law, economics, management and related disciplines.
• Students develop advanced knowledge of environmental challenges, emerging inequalities, and local and global responses to environmental change.
• The programme encourages students to critically examine different perspectives on environmental problems and apply those perspectives to real environmental and societal issues.
• Students combine taught/core papers with independent research through a dissertation or thesis.
• The interdisciplinary structure allows students to incorporate relevant papers from areas such as environmental science, law and management, helping connect theory with practical environmental and societal challenges.
• Students can benefit from the School's connections with local government, educational organisations and communities through guest lectures, workshops and field trips.
• Teaching staff are active researchers with national and international research expertise.
• The programme develops understanding of environmental governance, climate change, environmental politics, sustainability, M?ori environmental values, resource management and the Aotearoa New Zealand socio-cultural and political context.
• Waikato is ranked equal 293rd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, placing it in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide. The University is also ranked among the top 250 globally for Geography.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MEnvSoc is interdisciplinary and combines coursework with independent research.

For students entering through the standard bachelor's-degree route, the programme includes:

• At least 60 points from Appendix A.
• At least 30 points from Appendix B.
• At least 45 points from Appendix C.
• Additional approved 500-level Environment and Society papers.
• Either a 60-point dissertation or a 90-point thesis.
• Up to 60 points from relevant subjects outside the field, where approved.

Key Appendix A areas include:

• ANTHY521 – Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Issues / Environmental Anthropology: Studies in Nature, Culture and Economies – 30 points
• ENVPL505 – M?ori Environmental Management – 15 points
• ENVPL510 – Planning Theory – 15 points
• GEOGY520 – Human Dimensions of Environmental Change – 30 points
• HISTY512 – Environmental History – 30 points
• LCOMM584 – Sustainable Futures – 30 points
• MAORI502 – Sustainable Resource Issues – 30 points
• POLSC504 – Gender, Justice and the Environment – 15 points
• POLSC537 – Environmental Politics and Public Policy – 30 points
• PSYCH555 – Environmental Psychology – 15 points.

Appendix B includes subjects such as:

• ANTHY515 – Ethnographic Research Methods
• EDUCA500 – Culturally Responsive Methodologies incorporating kaupapa M?ori and Critical Theories
• ENVSC504 – Pollution and Environmental Contaminants
• ENVSC505 – Environmental Systems: Biogeosciences across Scales
• MAORI570 – M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methods and Issues
• MNGMT581 – Research Methods in Management Studies
• SCTED513 – Environmental and Sustainability Education
• STMGT504 – Strategies for Sustainability
• THMGT502 – Tourism Development and the Environment.

Research options include:

• ALPSS590 – Directed Study
• ALPSS591 – Research Project
• ALPSS592 – Dissertation
• EVSOC593 – Environment and Society Thesis
• EVSOC594 – Environment and Society Thesis
• POLSC537 – Environmental Politics and Public Policy.

The programme's academic themes include:

• Environmental change
• Climate change
• Environmental politics and public policy
• Sustainability
• Environmental governance
• Human-environment relationships
• Environmental history
• Environmental psychology
• Environmental anthropology
• M?ori environmental values
• Indigenous resource management
• Environmental law and planning
• Social justice and environmental inequalities
• Research methodologies.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MEnvSoc is interdisciplinary rather than being divided into a fixed list of formal majors or endorsements.

Students can build their programme around areas such as:

• Environment and society
• Environmental policy
• Environmental politics
• Sustainability
• Environmental planning
• Environmental management
• Environmental anthropology
• Environmental psychology
• Human dimensions of environmental change
• M?ori environmental management
• Indigenous research and environmental perspectives
• Environmental science
• Law and environmental governance.

Programme Highlights

• Interdisciplinary 180-point master's programme.
• 1.5-year standard duration.
• 120-point route available for eligible students with an honours degree or relevant postgraduate diploma.
• March and July intakes.
• Hamilton programme location.
• Environment and Society subject area available across Hamilton, Tauranga and Online, subject to individual paper availability.
• Combination of coursework and independent research.
• 60-point dissertation or 90-point thesis options.
• Opportunity to incorporate relevant environmental science, law and management papers.
• Strong focus on environmental change, climate change, sustainability and environmental governance.
• Exposure to Aotearoa New Zealand environmental, political, historical and M?ori perspectives.
• Potential interaction with local communities, government and professional contributors through workshops, guest lectures and field trips.
• Potential progression to PhD study; the qualification page lists a Doctor of Philosophy as a graduate-study option. 

Career Outcomes

The University specifically identifies policy work as one possible career direction, including policy roles at local, regional and national levels. It also highlights potential work with organisations such as the Waitangi Tribunal and local iwi.

Depending on the student's academic background and chosen research area, relevant career areas can include:

• Environmental policy
• Public policy
• Environmental planning
• Sustainability
• Environmental management
• Environmental governance
• Research
• Government and local-government policy
• Community and development organisations
• Environmental consultancy
• Indigenous environmental/resource management
• Education and environmental research
• Non-government organisations
• Further academic research and PhD study.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The University currently publishes 2027 subject information, and students planning 2027 study should use the latest subject regulations and individual paper pages when selecting their programme.
• The current programme page lists 180 points and 1.5 years, with March and July intakes.
• The formal regulations allow 120 points for applicants entering through the honours/postgraduate-diploma route.
• Standard bachelor's-degree entrants may be required to include a research-methodology paper such as EDUCA500 or MNGMT581, at the discretion of programme convenors.
• The 2027 POLSC537 Environmental Politics and Public Policy is offered in A Trimester in Hamilton from 1 March 2027 to 27 June 2027.
• The current subject information lists MAORI502 Sustainable Resource Issues as an online 30-point paper in A Trimester 2027 and POLSC537 as a Hamilton in-person paper.
• Research/dissertation/thesis admission may require approval from the relevant programme convenor and availability of appropriate supervision.
• Exact supervisor availability and individual thesis-topic availability: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
• Thesis examination for a thesis of 90 points or more involves two examiners: one external and one internal examiner who is not directly connected to the candidate or supervision.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the MEnvSoc in New Zealand, the normal visa route is the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have enough money to pay tuition fees or hold an acceptable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Be in good health.
• Be of good character.
• Have a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Demonstrate that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.