Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
BSEnS
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Overview
The Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability (BSEnS) explores the biggest global problems we have caused by injustice towards the environment and communities, from pollution and climate change to world hunger.
You will gain meaningful skills including understanding how and why these issues happen, and the actionable steps we need to change these.
Help us build a sustainable and equitable future in business, policy, and global society.
- Courses come from a variety of different subjects — including Environmental Science, Policy, and Marketing — so you can get a full view of the global issues that you are passionate about and learn how you can achieve behaviour change and social action.
- Use UC’s local and global contacts with entrepreneurs, environmental scientists, tangata whenua, and other change makers.
- Final year internship with a local business so you can get real experience making a difference.
- Option to study a minor from subjects across Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Science, Sport, and Youth and Community Leadership.
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 the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
Anyone from any study background will be able to study the BSEnS.
Interests in environmental science and sustainability, voluntary work, economics, or social change will be particularly useful to get the most out of study. Strong communications skills will also be very helpful.
Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
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Major courses
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Courses from Arts or other degrees
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 Social and Environmental Sustainability.
The Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability is made up of a total 360 points:
- 105 points of compulsory courses
- 30 points of elective courses
- 135 points of courses towards a major
- the remaining 90 points can be from either Arts courses or courses from other degrees.
A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
Majors and minors
BSEnS students have the option of completing either:
- a major
- a major and a minor.
Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum of 135 points, with at least 45 points above 100-level and at least 60 points at 300-level.
A minor consists of a minimum of 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Science, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a BSEnS alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Conjoint degrees
You can study a conjoint degree and merge your BSEnS with options such as the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, so that you can complete major subjects from multiple areas in a shorter timeframe.
Find out more information about Conjoint degrees.
The BSEnS degree includes compulsory courses to introduce you to sustainability systems thinking for change, and to develop key skills in communication, problem-solving, indigenous partnerships, and community leadership.
You will also choose a major to study throughout the degree, and you may also choose to complete a minor.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- SENS101 Introduction to the Principles and Concepts of Sustainability
- ENVR101 Introduction to Environmental Science
- MAOR108 Te Patu a Maui: The Treaty of Waitangi — facing and overcoming colonisation
- WRIT101 Writing for Academic Success
Year 2
- SENS201 Systems Thinking for Sustainability
- ARTS102 Problems, Questions, Evidence OR STAT101 Statistics 1
Year 3
Major subjects
Minor subjects
You may choose to continue on to the Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Master of Arts, or Master of Arts (Thesis) in a variety of related subjects, such as Political Science and International Relations or Geography.
UC also offers many master's degrees with a focus on environmental change and social systems, for example:
- Complete a final-year internship supporting our local industry in sustainability.
- Knowing how to identify, critique, and actually make these necessary changes will make you hugely beneficial to our collective goal to make the world a better place.
- Graduates will find work as consultants, policy analysts, aid and advocacy workers, environmental advisors, economists, business managers, entrepreneurs, 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) |
| 2024 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,885 |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,743 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2024 | 120 | $33,975 | |
| 2023 | 120 | $32,325 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).