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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

With an emphasis on transdisciplinary knowledge, you will study a range of topics within the School of Environment. Areas the programme focuses on include water-use and governance, air and water quality, ecosystem ecology, environmental modelling and analysis, climate change, and resource management.

Graduates of the MEnvSci will have developed the crucial conceptual and practical skills required of professional environmental scientists in research and industry.

Programme Structure

All students are initially enrolled in the taught stream. Transfer to the Research stream is possible after the first Semester.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

This programme is an advanced qualification in environmental science. You will gain the fundamental and essential skills for a career in industry or research in the field of environmental science.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Atmospheric scientist
  • Environmental data analyst
  • Environmental health and safety technician
  • Environmental management
  • Environmental policy and planning
  • Environmental scientist
  • Science communications

Further Study Options

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

Master of Environmental Science

Find out more about the Master of Environmental Science programme with Professor Kevin Simon

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.


University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

Taught (180 point) - 4.0 Grade Point Average 

Bachelor of Science

Research (180 point) - 4.0 Grade Point Average 

Bachelor of Science

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)       

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

Taught and Research 180 points

You must have either:

  • a Bachelor of Science from this University with a GPA of 4.0 or higher in 60 points at Stage II in Environmental Science, or a related subject such as Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geography and Geology.
  • a Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant major or specialisation, or have equivalent prior study and passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, and a specialisation in Environmental Science (provided the postgraduate diploma has not been awarded)


If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 July 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, and a relevant major or specialisation, or have equivalent prior study

or

b completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II, and a relevant major or specialisation

or

c (i) completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant major or specialisation, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, and a specialisation in Environmental Science, provided the postgraduate diploma has not been awarded.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirement in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee for an applicant who has at least three years of relevant, practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Note: Relevant majors and specialisations may include chemistry, biology, earth sciences, environmental science, geography or geology.

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student enrolled for this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 180 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

5 The total enrolment for this degree must not exceed 220 points.

Structure and Content

6 A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Environmental Science Schedule.

7 A student must achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in the first 60 points of taught courses in order to enrol in ENVSCI 794.

8 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Research Component

9 a The research project or thesis is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Academic Head.

b The research project or thesis topic must be approved by the Programme Director prior to enrolment.

c The research project or thesis is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

10 A student may apply to reassign courses passed for this degree to the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Environmental Science.

Transfer from Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma

11 A student who has passed courses towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Environmental Science that are available in this degree may apply to reassign those courses to this degree provided that the postgraduate diploma has not been awarded.

Distinction

12 This degree may be awarded with Honours in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

13 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

14 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 180 points comprising:

  • 180 points for one Specialisation from Master of Environmental Science Schedule, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map