Why Study/Key Benefits

• Sustainable Climate Systems is a major within Massey University’s Bachelor of Science (BSc), designed around the scientific, environmental and societal challenges associated with climate change.
• It uses a cross-disciplinary approach rather than studying climate issues through one scientific field alone. Students can work across areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computing, agriculture, food science and other sciences.
• The major develops “systems thinking”, meaning students learn to understand climate and sustainability challenges as interconnected systems and use evidence, critical thinking and scientific reasoning to develop solutions.
• Topics can include solar energy capture and storage, climate-system modelling, biochemical energy cycles, cellular biochemistry, chemical pollutants, microplastic aerosols, ecological systems and the production, storage and consumption of energy.
• Students have flexibility to design a study pathway around their interests while building scientific literacy, digital skills, problem-solving ability, civic leadership, entrepreneurship and global engagement.
• The third year includes a capstone project bringing together the learning from the degree, with invited iwi, industry, government and commercial experts contributing to the learning environment.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The BSc is deliberately flexible. Students complete the university-wide BSc core, the 120-credit Sustainable Climate Systems major and the required electives.

The Sustainable Climate Systems major develops progressively:

Year 1:

• Foundational scientific knowledge
• Data and evidence
• Scientific literacy
• Sustainability
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Exploration of scientific disciplines

Year 2:

• Students begin studying climate science in greater depth.
• They develop disciplinary knowledge in at least two scientific areas.
• 246200 Climate Science in Context is a compulsory Sustainable Climate Systems course, worth 15 credits. It examines contemporary climate science research, methods for observing and interpreting climate change, mitigation approaches, digital literacy and “wicked problem” solving.

Later study:

• Climate-system modelling
• Sustainability and climate action
• Energy systems
• Solar energy capture and storage
• Biochemical energy cycles
• Ecology
• Biological and molecular processes
• Chemical pollutants
• Microplastic aerosols
• Plants, animals, soil, water and atmosphere
• Scientific approaches to climate-change mitigation
• Resource requirements of civilisation
• Sustainable energy systems
• Global engagement and civic leadership

Disciplines/Specialisations

The specific specialisation is:

• Sustainable Climate Systems

The BSc itself allows students to complete a major and may also permit a double major or a minor, subject to the BSc regulations and availability of the relevant subject.

Programme Highlights

• Introduced in 2026 as a new BSc major.
• Massey describes it as the first major of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Interdisciplinary approach combining multiple scientific fields.
• Systems-thinking approach to complex climate and sustainability challenges.
• Flexible study pathway within the BSc.
• Strong emphasis on evidence, scientific literacy, critical thinking and problem solving.
• Exposure to sustainability, climate action, entrepreneurship, civic leadership and global engagement.
• Third-year capstone project connecting learning with real-world climate and sustainability problems.
• Opportunities to engage with iwi, industry, government and commercial experts through the capstone learning environment.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that the Sustainable Climate Systems major prepares graduates for roles across industry, government and commercial enterprises. The degree is intended to develop versatile scientific and problem-solving capabilities rather than training students for only one narrowly defined occupation.

Potential career areas can include:

• Sustainability and climate-related roles
• Environmental and climate policy
• Government and public-sector work
• Scientific and technical roles
• Environmental management
• Climate and sustainability consulting
• Energy and sustainable-resource initiatives
• Research support
• Science communication and evidence-based policy
• Commercial organisations responding to climate and sustainability requirements

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• Sustainable Climate Systems is a new major introduced from 2026.
• There are no additional formal admission requirements beyond Massey’s university admission regulations, but Biology and Chemistry preparation is strongly recommended.
• Students without the expected Biology or Chemistry background can use Massey’s Introductory Biology or Chemistry for Modern Sciences pathway courses.
• The BSc requires at least 75 credits at 300 level and no more than 165 credits at 100 level.
• Some distance courses may require attendance at contact workshops, so online students should check individual course delivery requirements before enrolment.
• Course availability, prerequisites and programme regulations can change for future academic years.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this degree in New Zealand would generally require a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand.

Current key conditions and requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study in New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Satisfactory attendance and academic progress while studying