Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
480
Overview
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
Introduction
This degree will give you skills and the practical learning you will need to address the pressing environmental issues we face — in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
Various disciplines of science intersect in this programme to create a layered understanding of complex sustainability challenges we face — for example in freshwater resources, marine contamination, coastal erosion, biosecurity, natural disasters, and climate change. You will assess impacts resulting from disasters, ecological change, and human activity.
The BEnvSci(Hons) is accredited by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) to deliver environmental practitioners for roles in industry, government, education and research, and the community.
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
What will my study involve?
- This degree combines mātauranga Māori and scientific knowledge to broaden your 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 your degree with the issues you are most passionate about.
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
Entry requirements
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
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 our role as kaitiaki protectors of our natural world.
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
How do I plan my degree?
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.
You will also complete 400 hours of practical work through ENVR300 Environmental Science Work Experience (0 points, 0 fees).
The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 8 years.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours.
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 you are not successful in gaining a place, you may instead be awarded the Bachelor of Environmental Science (without honours), or you can normally credit completed courses to the Bachelor of Science or other UC degrees.
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
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
CHEM114 is recommended if you have not taken Year 13 chemistry (or equivalent) at secondary school.
Plus complete the required 100-level courses from your chosen major.
200-level
- ENVR209 Environmental Science and Resource Management
- ENVR210 Practical Environmental Science and Management
- BIOL274 Principles of Ecology
Plus complete the required 200-level courses from your chosen major.
300-level
- ENVR302 Carbon and Environmental Change
- ENVR303 Mātāpuna Kai and Environmental Science
- PSYC341 Environmental Psychology
Plus complete the required 300-level courses from your chosen major.
ENVR302 and ENVR303 must both be completed with a B Grade Point Average to move onto the next year (or may instead be awarded the Bachelor of Environmental Science).
400-level
- ENVR411 Case Studies in Environmental Science
- ENVR415 Assessing and Communicating Environmental Effects and Risks
- ENVR481 Environmental Science Research Project
Plus complete the required 400-level courses from your chosen major.
Work placement course
You will also complete 400 hours of practical work through ENVR300 Environmental Science Work Experience (0 points, 0 fees).
You can choose to take this course during the summer months (November—February) in either year 2 or 3 of the degree.
Elective courses
At least another 45 points (up to 90 depending on your chosen major) need to be chosen from the below two groups.
Group 1
Choose 30 points from the following elective courses, or any language courses:
Group 2
Choose your remaining points from the following elective courses, or courses chosen from the following subjects at 100 to 400-level.
Depending on your major, at least one or more courses will need to be at 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
Domestic students
2024 tuition fee estimate: $7,521 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $7,972 per 120 points
International students
2024 tuition fee estimate: $38,863 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $40,380 per 120 points
2026 tuition fee estimate: $41,955 per 120 points
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
Further study
UC 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.
You may also consider specialist studies available:
- Master of Antarctic Studies
- Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
- Master of Water Science and Management
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
Career ready
- Extensive practical experience in work and field settings.
- Only accredited degree in environmental sciences in Aotearoa, with eligibility for semi-professional accreditation from the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ).
- Graduates 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.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree in Environmental Science.
Example degree structure diagram
30 points of elective courses must be chosen from Schedule E: Group 1, with any remaining points chosen from Group 2.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours.
