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.

When you graduate, you’ll be able to:

• Critically evaluate advanced knowledge in applied science including recognised industry methodologies, data analysis and effective problem-solving skills to explore issues arising from the human impact on the environment
• Communicate and collaborate in diverse working environments in applied science to develop and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders, including government, Māori, and local communities.
• Summarise advanced and new knowledge, insight, and innovation to improve practice in applied science for industry and community stakeholders.
• Engage in analysis, criticism, and problem-solving to advance innovative practices in environmental sustainability in business, government, and non-governmental sectors.
• Apply cross-cultural perspectives that embrace understanding and engagement with indigenous bodies of knowledge, practices, and worldviews with a key focus on Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in applied science.

Highlights

• Earn and learn: This programme is a mix of online, on-campus learning, and field trips, making it an excellent option for biodiversity professionals who are already working and want to start postgraduate study.
• Move your career up a level: With a postgraduate qualification, you’ll acquire higher-level knowledge and develop the necessary skills for your specialisation, strengthening your CV and the likelihood of a higher salary.
• Key focus on Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Put into practice cross-cultural perspectives which embrace understanding and engagement with indigenous bodies of knowledge, practices, and worldviews.
• Access Lab facilities (local and national): Depending on where you choose to complete your compulsory on-campus learning, you’ll learn in various facilities, including molecular biology, microbiology and GIS labs, Marae, herbaria and invertebrate collections, simulators, and other specialist equipment and machinery.
• Learn from experts across the country: This programme is supported by highly qualified and respected scientists, other experts, and industry consultants from around Aotearoa, New Zealand.
• Transition into further postgraduate study: This programme cross-credits towards our Master of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management).

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

$4,100 (NZD)

(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) Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students