Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management)

Are you ready to take on a new challenge by stepping into a senior-level job? Perhaps you’re interested in postgraduate study but unsure about committing to a full master’s degree. 

The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) is a 6-month introductory programme that prepares you for further postgraduate study. It also helps you develop advanced skills and knowledge for more specialist roles in the public sector and local and national government agencies.

Focus on partnership and stakeholder engagement.

Many of the world’s most critical environmental issues require biodiversity professionals who are experts in identifying priority biodiversity areas and developing strategies and tools that support conservation. Globally, this requires a high level of cultural competence, mainly when working with mana whenua (Indigenous people of the land – Māori) and other stakeholders, like policymakers, environmental managers, and landowners.

Highlights

• Designed for Professionals: A flexible mix of online, on-campus, and field-based learning designed for busy biodiversity professionals.
• A Strategic Entry Point: Gain high-level specialist knowledge without the immediate commitment of a full Master’s degree.
• Career Advancement: Strengthen your CV and increase your earning potential with a recognised postgraduate qualification in your field.
• Te Ao Māori & Te Tiriti focus: Develop a cross-cultural perspective that respects and engages with indigenous knowledge and worldviews.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Utilise national lab facilities—from molecular biology to GIS—depending on your chosen campus.
• Seamless Progression: This programme cross-credits directly into the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Applied Science.

What you’ll learn

• Apply current industry methodologies, data analysis and effective problem-solving skills.
• Learn how to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with mana whenua and a range of stakeholders.
• Contribute to improved practice and environmental sustainability in business, government and non-governmental sectors through critical evaluation, new knowledge, insight and innovation.
• Act as an ethical guardian of global biodiversity by applying ecological science.
• Understand the impacts of human activity on the global environment and how environmental management in Aotearoa can address these issues.

Scholarships and awards

At Unitec, we want to manaaki student success wherever we can, and scholarships is one of the ways we do that. We have scholarships that recognise the achievements and the challenges of dedicating yourself to learning, whether that’s in vocational trade, at the undergraduate level, or at Masters degree level and beyond. Check out the scholarships listed below. The filters under Award Types, Characteristics, and Status will help refine your search. If you have questions, please email our Scholarships team or book in with a Scholarships advisor.

Career Options

• Environmental advisor for business
• Environmental or biosecurity consultant
• Programme or project manager
• Research, laboratory or field technician

Annual Tuition Fees

Domestic/NZ students

$4,300

(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)

International students

This programme is not open to international students - check our international study options instead.

Semester Dates

Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun

Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov

For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage.

For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.

For course and class schedules, please refer to the specific course webpage. Courses may start in Semester 1 or Semester 2; however, not all courses are offered in both semesters.

For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.

Downloads and resources

Programme regulations - Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) Student regulations Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students