Master of Environmental Studies

Find effective solutions to environmental problems. Build on your Bachelor's degree from diverse backgrounds and study what shapes our environment, how it shapes us, and how to structure better relationships with it.

Explore the social dimensions of environmental issues

The Master of Environmental Studies challenges your thinking, builds your skills for working in the environment sector, and cultivates your ability to engage as a citizen and community member.

The Master of Environmental Studies includes both coursework and a thesis, allowing you to take interactive courses that suit your interests and career goals. You will have time and support to develop excellent research skills through a full year of independent research. Working closely with our academic team, you’ll critically analyse information and communicate your research. You'll conduct ethical and rigorous research with communities.

Through this qualification, you'll explore theories and case studies that make sense of the current world and guide us towards a just and fair future.

Get the postgraduate handbook

Fill in the form to find out more about your study options in our Wellington Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Handbook.

Download the handbook

Flexible study

You can choose to complete a one-trimester Postgraduate Certificate, one-year Postgraduate Diploma, or a two-year Master's that will include a thesis. These programmes offer you the flexibility to choose the courses that best suit your interests and career goals.

If you are interested in creating a better environment and have a Bachelor's degree with a B+ average in a relevant subject (or B for the PGDipEnvStud), then postgraduate Environmental Studies is ideal for you. If you don't have a degree but have significant relevant experience, you may also be able to enrol in one of the programmes.

Come from any background

After Bachelor’s study

If you are interested in creating a better environment and have a Bachelor's degree with a B+ average in a relevant subject then the Master of Environmental Studies is ideal for you.

You can study the subject at postgraduate level from a science, commerce, or arts background. Environmental Studies connects with:

• Geography and Development Studies
• Māori Studies
• Public Policy
• Law
• Management.

Because you’ll study with students from a variety of disciplines and professions, you’ll broaden your own understanding through their different viewpoints and experiences.

After a postgraduate diploma

You can also come to the Master of Environmental Studies if you studied the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Studies and achieved a B grade or higher.

If you don’t meet the requirements

If you don't have a degree but have significant relevant experience, you may also be able to enrol in one of the programmes.

Research an area that interests you

Wellington has the highest concentration of scientists and science organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is New Zealand’s top-ranked university for intensity of high-quality research. Read about our research rankings.

Our Faculty of Science and Engineering is one of New Zealand’s top research institutions, with our own research centres and strong links to many other organisations and universities. Research centres and institutes—Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Choosing your topic

Choose a topic for the research portion of your study in an area you are passionate about that the University has the expertise to supervise.

The Environmental Studies team has experience supervising research that is engaged with communities and seeks to contribute to improving environments and societies. Your research could even take you around the globe, to the Pacific, Latin America, Antarctica, and beyond.

Academic staff research areas

You'll work closely with at least one academic supervisor for your research year, meeting regularly to design and carry out a unique project. Our students have the opportunity to:

• present their research at an annual Environmental Studies mini-conference
• participate in reading groups
• be guided through the process of securing ethics approval to do research of the highest standard.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Future careers

Once you graduate, you can contribute to environmental practice, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

The skills you'll develop are relevant to many careers, including:

• environmental policy
• planning
• management
• environmental business consultant
• social entrepreneur.

You could find work with employers such as:

• Ministry for the Environment
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• regional or city councils
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• private companies
• iwi organisations.

Find out about roles and career pathways, where graduates work, and how to build relevant skills or career connections in your specific area.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships.

Applicable scholarships

• Jan Heine Research Scholarship in Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology
• Averil Brent Scholarship in Science.

Financial support

You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.

We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study

Work opportunities

Work as a tutor

You may be able to work as a research assistant while you study. These are fixed-term, short contracts where you assist an academic on a specific research project.

Work as a research assistant

If you have good results in your undergraduate degree, you might be able to work as a tutor. Get in contact with the tutor coordinator to complete an expression of interest form.

Join our postgraduate community

Through postgraduate study you’ll build valuable relationships and networks with peers, University staff, and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.

The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.