Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
BEnvSci(Hons)
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Science
- Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
- Master of Water Resource Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Science
- Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
- Master of Water Resource Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
Do you want to do your part for the environment? This degree will give you skills and the practical learning you’ll 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 impact resulting from disasters, ecological change, and human activity.
The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours 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.
- This degree combines mātauranga Māori and scientific knowledge to broaden your understanding and approach to environmental issues and future developments, 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 give you a layered understanding of the sustainability challenges we face and to customise your degree with the issues you are most passionate about.
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.
For information on gaining admission to UC please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
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 – example degree structure
-
Zero-points, zero-fees courses
-
Compulsory courses
-
Major courses
-
Elective courses
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.
The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours requires a minimum total of 480 points:
- 270 points of compulsory Environmental Science courses
- a minimum of 135 points of courses towards a major
- a minimum of 60 points of elective courses.
You will also complete 400 hours of practical work placement 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.
Limited entry into fourth year
All 300-level courses in the degree must be completed before proceeding to the final year. ENVR302 and ENVR304 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.
The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours is a highly flexible degree, including introductory courses, hands-on fieldwork and internship placements, and courses towards a major subject from the second year.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
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
- One course chosen from these options
Plus complete the required 200-level courses from your chosen major.
300-level
- ENVR302 Carbon and Environmental Change
- ENVR303 Mahika 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
- ENVR480 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 placement arranged through UC with 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
Another 60 points (up to 75 depending on your chosen major) need to be chosen from the below.
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 at any level chosen from:
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:
- 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, and more.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,316 |
| 2022 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,120 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection | $35,538 | $30,903 |
| 2023 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection | $37,000 | $32,174 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).