Program Overview

Bachelor of Environmental Planning

The Bachelor of Environmental Planning (BEP) is an interdisciplinary, research-led program that prepares students for a career in urban and environmental planning. Accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), the BEP recognizes that environmental problems and solutions involve social, economic, and cultural dimensions as well as the natural and physical environment.

Program Overview

The BEP provides students with practical, industry experience gained across labs, workshops, and field trips. Students will also benefit from guest lecturers and practical activities, and will attend industry-focused events such as resource management hearings, case law presentations, and mock hearings. The BEP is a flexible and interdisciplinary degree that provides students with choices in structuring their program of study.

Program Structure

The four-year degree is divided into three streams:

• Science and the Environment
• Society and the Environment
• Te Ara Taiao: Māori and the Environment

The degree brings together papers from a range of subjects, including Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Law, Economics, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, Political Science, and Geography.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the BEP may pursue careers in:

• Environmental Planner
• City Planner
• Iwi Management Planner
• Policy Analyst or Advisor
• Researcher
• Project Manager
• Resource Consent Planner
• Reserves Planner
• Transport Planner
• Environmental Consultant
• Conservation Officer

Points and Duration

The total number of points to gain this qualification is 480, and it is expected to take four years to complete full-time.

Locations

The qualification is offered in Hamilton.

Area of Study

The BEP is offered under the School of Arts.

Start Dates

The qualification can be started in Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July).

Degree Information

Plan Your Study

The BEP is a four-year degree that requires students to complete a set of compulsory papers and select a planning stream from three specialist areas.

Entry Requirements

To enroll in the BEP, students need University Entrance or equivalent. Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites.

Fees and Scholarships

The estimated fees for domestic students are $8,787 per year. Scholarships are available, and students can visit the Scholarship finder for more information.

Graduate Study Options

The University of Waikato offers several graduate study options, including:

• Master of Environmental Planning (MEP)
• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Diploma
• Postgraduate Certificate
• Postgraduate Diploma

Practical Experience

Many of the papers offered within the BEP contain opportunities for practical experience, including labs, workshops, and field trips. Students will also benefit from guest lecturers and practical activities, and will attend industry-focused events.

Student Testimonials

Students have praised the BEP for its relevance and practicality, citing the program's focus on real-world issues and its emphasis on hands-on learning.

• Marcus Fletcher, Bachelor of Environmental Planning: "Learning about Aotearoa’s resource management law, how to plan cities and combating the pressures of climate change makes this degree extremely satisfying and beneficial."
• Te Riria Potiki, Bachelor of Environmental Planning: "We need more Māori in this space, supporting each other. It can be disheartening to see the degradation of our environment and te ao Māori worldview not being validated. But there’s heaps of change happening, so it’s cool to be a part of."
• Tyra Begbie: "This programme equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle significant environmental, political and social challenges and work towards a more sustainable future."