Why Study Bachelor of Climate Change

The Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) at the University of Waikato is a 3-year, 360-point undergraduate degree designed to prepare students for the growing global need for climate-change and sustainability professionals. It is an interdisciplinary programme combining climate science with social, cultural, economic, political and environmental perspectives. The degree also incorporates M?tauranga M?ori and Indigenous perspectives and includes practical, multidisciplinary learning with an external organisation.

• Level of study: Bachelor's Degree
• Qualification: Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC)
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Total points: 360 points
• Campuses: Hamilton and Tauranga
• Intakes: Trimester A – March; Trimester B – July
• Study areas involved include Science, Arts, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Education, Law, Management, M?ori and Indigenous Studies, and Psychological/Social Sciences.

Key Benefits

• Develops an interdisciplinary understanding of climate change rather than focusing only on environmental science.
• Covers the scientific basis of climate change as well as its economic, political, social and cultural impacts.
• Provides exposure to M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
• Develops climate-change mitigation and adaptation knowledge.
• Includes data and analytical skills relevant to the student's selected major.
• Students work on a multidisciplinary climate-change project with an external organisation.
• The degree can be combined with a broad range of majors, allowing students to tailor their studies towards science, data, policy, business, environment or social sciences.
• Work-integrated learning is identified for the programme in the University's international student information.

Program Structure

The 360-point programme is structured around a combination of compulsory climate-change papers, a chosen major and elective papers. The current 2027 structure includes:

• Year 1:
  • 100-level major papers
  • ARTSC106 – Climate Change and Society
  • CLIMT101 – Introduction to Climate Change Science
  • CLIMT103 – Arts Activism in a Changing Environment
  • CLIMT104 – Introduction to M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies: The Climate Change Crisis
  • One of CSMAX101 – The World of Data or BUSAN205 – Data Analytics with Business Applications
  • Elective
• Year 2:
  • 200-level major papers
  • CLIMT201 – Climate Change Modelling, Impacts and Adaptation
  • CLIMT202 – M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Responses to Climate Change
  • Additional elective papers
• Year 3:
  • 300-level major papers
  • CLIMT301 – Climate Change Solutions: Multidisciplinary Group Project
  • Additional elective papers

The final multidisciplinary project provides an opportunity to work with an external organisation and develop a practical low-carbon strategy.

Discipline / Specialisation

Students can select a major from a wide range of disciplines. Current Bachelor of Climate Change major options include:

• Anthropology
• Chemistry
• Data Analytics
• Earth Sciences
• Ecology and Biodiversity
• Economics
• Education and Society
• Environmental Planning
• Environmental Sciences
• Geography
• History
• Law
• Maori and Indigenous Studies
• Pacific and Indigenous Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Public Relations
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Strategic Management

The University states that a single major normally requires 135 points, with specific requirements depending on the chosen subject. A minor or, where permitted, a double-major pathway may also be possible subject to the degree and subject regulations.

Programme Highlights

• First-of-its-kind degree focused specifically on climate change and its multidisciplinary solutions.
• Study combines environmental and climate science with economics, politics, society, culture and policy.
• Strong focus on climate-change mitigation, adaptation and sustainability.
• M?tauranga M?ori and Indigenous perspectives are integrated throughout the programme.
• Students develop communication, research, analytical, project-management and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.
• Practical experience is incorporated through the multidisciplinary group project with an external organisation.
• Data Analytics can be selected as a major, while data-related learning is also incorporated into the core programme.
• The programme prepares students to contribute to climate and sustainability goals, including the transition towards net-zero emissions in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Career Outcomes

The degree can lead to careers across environmental, climate, sustainability, policy, data, research, business and community sectors. Potential career directions include:

• Climate Action Specialist
• Sustainability Advisor/Consultant
• Environmental Scientist
• Environmental Planner
• Policy Analyst or Advisor
• Data Analyst
• Economist
• Ecologist
• Biodiversity Management
• Project Manager
• Researcher
• Resource Consent Planner
• Hydrologist
• Oceanographer
• Iwi Management Planner
• Communications Professional
• Community Educator
• Political Scientist
• Anthropologist

Career options can vary significantly depending on the major selected and the student's additional electives and practical experience.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for full-time study in this degree.

• Students need an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Tuition fees must be paid or appropriately funded for the visa application.
• Students must demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses; the current Immigration New Zealand requirement for tertiary study is NZD $20,000 per year.
• Students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period of study.
• Students must meet Immigration New Zealand's health, character and genuine-intention requirements.
• The University states that international students must hold an appropriate valid visa for their studies.
• The Fee Paying Student Visa currently allows eligible students to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during holidays, subject to the conditions attached to their visa.
• Visa approval is separate from admission to the University; receiving an offer of place does not guarantee a student visa.

For English-language entry, the University's standard undergraduate requirement is generally IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT 80 with a writing score of 21, PTE Academic 50 with no communicative skill below 42, or Duolingo English Test 105 with no band below 95.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The programme is currently offered for March and July entry at Hamilton and Tauranga.
• The current 2027 programme structure confirms the core climate-change papers and the broad range of available majors.
• Most Bachelor of Climate Change majors require the University's standard undergraduate admission requirements. For the Data Analytics major, applicants need 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Mathematics or Calculus, or may complete a transition course as an elective. For Chemistry, Level 3 Chemistry is strongly recommended but is not compulsory. International applicants should check the equivalent subject requirements for their previous qualification.
• The University notes that programme and paper information is subject to change, so the final study plan should be confirmed when enrolling.
• International tuition fees are indicative; the final fees are confirmed through the University's enrolment agreement.