Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours

The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours is a comprehensive degree that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address pressing environmental issues. This degree combines mtauranga Mori and scientific knowledge to provide a layered understanding of complex sustainability challenges.

What Will My Study Involve?

• This degree combines mtauranga Mori and scientific knowledge to broaden understanding and approach to environmental issues, using Ki Uta ki Tai | From the Mountains to the Sea the full journey and interconnectedness of the natural world.
• Lab and field-based learning, with 400 hours of work experience.
• Courses cover a variety of subjects to customise the degree with the issues students are most passionate about.

Entry Requirements

To enrol in the degree, students will need:

• University Entrance (or equivalent). The university offers transition programmes for those who need help meeting these requirements.
• If English is not the first language, students are also required to meet the university's Undergraduate language requirements.

Recommended Preparation

The BEnvSci(Hons) is open to anyone with entry to the University. While no particular background is required, secondary school subjects such as biology, chemistry, geography, and sustainability are good preparation. Most important is a passion for the environment and the role as kaitiaki (protectors) of the natural world.

Degree Structure

The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours requires a minimum total of 480 points:

• 255 points of compulsory Environmental Science courses
• A minimum of 135 points of courses towards a major
• The remaining points made up of elective courses. A minimum of 120 points must be from courses at 400-level. Students will also complete 400 hours of practical work through ENVR300 Environmental Science Work Experience (0 points, 0 fees).

Limited Entry into Fourth Year

All 300-level courses in the degree must be completed before proceeding to the final year. ENVR302 and ENVR303 must also both be completed with a B Grade Point Average. If students are not successful in gaining a place, they may instead be awarded the Bachelor of Environmental Science (without honours), or they can normally credit completed courses to the Bachelor of Science or other university degrees.

Subjects and Courses

The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours is a highly diverse degree, including introductory courses, hands-on fieldwork and internship placements, and courses towards a major subject from the second year.

Compulsory Courses

100-level

• ENVR101 Introduction to Environmental Science
• BIOL112 Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
• GEOG106 Global Environmental Change
• SCIE101 Science, Society and Me
• STAT101 Statistics 1
• CHEM111 Chemical Principles and Processes OR CHEM114 Foundations of Chemistry

200-level

• ENVR209 Environmental Science and Resource Management
• ENVR210 Practical Environmental Science and Management
• BIOL274 Principles of Ecology

300-level

• ENVR302 Carbon and Environmental Change
• ENVR303 Mtpuna Kai and Environmental Science
• PSYC341 Environmental Psychology

400-level

• ENVR411 Case Studies in Environmental Science
• ENVR415 Assessing and Communicating Environmental Effects and Risks
• ENVR481 Environmental Science Research Project

Work Placement Course

Students will also complete 400 hours of practical work through ENVR300 Environmental Science Work Experience (0 points, 0 fees). This course can be taken during the summer months (NovemberFebruary) in either year 2 or 3 of the degree.

Elective Courses

At least another 45 points (up to 90 depending on the chosen major) need to be chosen from two groups:

Group 1

Choose 30 points from the following elective courses, or any language courses:

• Ancient Greek
• Chinese
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Latin
• Russian
• Spanish
• Te Reo Mori

Group 2

Choose the remaining points from the following elective courses, or courses chosen from the following subjects at 100 to 400-level:

• Antarctic Studies courses
• Biological Science courses
• Biochemistry courses
• Chemistry courses
• Geography courses
• Geology courses
• Mathematics courses
• Psychology courses
• Statistics courses
• Water Science and Management courses

Major Subjects

• Ecosystem Health and Biosecurity
• Environmental Change
• Environmental Contamination
• Environmental Hazards and Disasters
• Freshwater
• Sustainable Coasts

Fees

Domestic Students

2025 tuition fee estimate: $7,972 per 120 points 2026 tuition fee estimate: $8,450 per 120 points

International Students

2025 tuition fee estimate: $40,380 per 120 points 2026 tuition fee estimate: $41,955 per 120 points 2027 tuition fee estimate: $43,800 per 120 points Tuition fees vary for each course, depending on the subject area and course level, so the final total may differ from the estimates provided above.

Further Study

The university offers postgraduate studies in Environmental Science:

• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Science
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduates may also study a variety of related subjects in these programmes, such as Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Geography, or Water Resource Management.

Careers

Graduates of the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours are in demand for their ability to identify, monitor, and solve a variety of problems associated with the environment. They help advise on sustainability, environmental risks, and environmental aspirations. Graduates will be ready for roles such as consultants, policy analysts, disaster and crisis response management, and researchers for contamination, pollution, and invasive species.