Overview
Design the future
Shape the places where we live, work and play, with a Master of Resource and Environmental Planning.
Level
- Postgraduate, NZQF Level 9
Distance learning
- Available
Credits
- 240
Duration
- 3 years part-time. Not available for full-time study.
Become a highly respected planning professional with Massey’s Master of Resource and Environmental Planning. This postgraduate qualification is accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI). It will give you practice-focused learning, field trips and guest speakers to develop or hone the skills you’ll need as a professional planner.
Shape the future
As a planner, you could work in a diverse range of workplaces. You’ll get perspectives on both the natural and urban environment. This will make you a well-rounded professional capable of working anywhere in the world. There’s a strong emphasis on developing critical skills that will ensure you can respond to the rapid change in our political, urban and resource environments. The knowledge and skills you develop will help future-proof your career.
Study in an established environment of excellence
This qualification is recognised internationally. You’ll learn from staff who are planning practitioners and leaders in their chosen research fields.
Flexible learning
The Master of Resource and Environmental Planning is the only accredited planning degree you can do wherever you live. Most students complete their degree while in the workplace. This reduces the financial strain of making a career change.
Careers and further study
Careers
With a Master of Resource and Environmental Planning, you could work in a variety of fields as diverse as planning, policy making, economic development, nature conservation and international development.
You’ll be able to apply your training locally or overseas in a variety of professional and applied environments such as:
With a Master of Resource and Environmental Planning, you could work in a variety of fields as diverse as planning, policy making, economic development, nature conservation and international development.
You’ll be able to apply your training locally or overseas in a variety of professional and applied environments such as:
- city/district councils
- regional councils
- Central government (eg, Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, New Zealand Transport Agency)
- non-government organisations
- environmental and other non-governmental organisations.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
To enter the Master of Resource and Environmental Planning you will have been awarded or qualified for:
- a bachelor’s degree with at least a B grade average across the highest level courses, or
- the Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning, with at least a B+ grade average across the highest level courses, or
- the Postgraduate Diploma in Planning with at least a B grade average (Professional Pathway) or a B+ grade average (Research Pathway).
If you have a Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning with a B+ average or Postgraduate Diploma in Planning with a B grade average as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification in accordance with the limits specified in the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations.
You will need to provide verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language and the admission qualification was not completed at a University where English is the medium of instruction, you must have achieved an IELTS of at least 7 with no band less than 6 within the preceding five years.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and qualifications that may help.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
240 credits
Professional Pathway
- Part One compulsory course – 90 credits
- Part One courses selected from the Schedule – 90 credits
- Part Two professional inquiry – 60 credits
Research Pathway
- Part One compulsory course – 90 credits
- Part One courses selected from the Schedule – 30 or 60 credits
- Part Two thesis – 90 or 120 credits
Advanced entry: Those who have already completed specified qualifications in advance of the minimum entry requirements and have been granted credit for it, may be able to complete this degree in 120 credits.
This is a parts-based qualification. This means there are regulations around your completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two, etc.
Courses for this programme
Part One
Compulsory courses
| 132731 | Planning Law | 30 |
| 132732 | Planning Theory | 30 |
| 132736 | Professional Practice | 30 |
Elective courses
| 132729 | Mana Taiao: Advanced Māori Planning | 30 |
| 132730 | Policy Analysis and Evaluation Techniques | 30 |
| 132734 | Urban Planning and Development | 30 |
| 132735 | Natural Resource Policy and Planning | 30 |
| 132741 | Long-Term Community Planning | 30 |
| 132742 | Planning History: From Town Planning to Resource Management | 30 |
| 132751 | Natural Hazards and Resilient Communities | 30 |
| 145739 | GIS Principles and Applications | 30 |
Part Two: Professional Pathway
| 132890 | Professional Inquiry in Planning | 60 |
Part Two: Research Pathway
Option One
| At least 90 credits from | ||
|---|---|---|
| 132893 | Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 | 45 |
| 132894 | Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 | 45 |
| 132897 | Thesis | 90 |
Option Two
| At least 120 credits from | ||
|---|---|---|
| 132815 | Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 | 60 |
| 132816 | Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 | 60 |
| 132899 | Thesis | 120 |
Planning your programme
Planning overview
Courses are offered in alternate years. This means full-time study is not available for the entire qualification.
The Master of Resource and Environmental Planning is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
Professional pathway
For progression to Part Two of the Professional Pathway, you must achieve at least a B grade average in the courses completed in Part One.
Research pathway
For progression to Part Two of the Research Pathway, you must achieve at least a B+ grade average in the courses completed in Part One.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the programme if you wish to continue your studies.
All requirements must be completed within six years of first enrolling in the Master of Resource and Environmental Planning degree.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
A good fit if you:
- want a professionally recognised planning degree
- want to change career while still in the workplace
- are interested in developing planning skills and knowledge.
Meet our students
“
I chose the qualification, as it is recognised by the NZ Planning Institute. Also because I could do the study part time and extramurally, in order to balance the study with my full time workload and my two young children.
” Felicity Foy
Elected Councillor at the Far North District Council
“
Studying at Massey has allowed me to combine my interest in planning with my vision to grow indigenous knowledge
” Hinetákoha Hayley May Millar Viriaere
Policy planner, Wairoa District Council
Accreditations and rankings
Planning at Massey is accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute Te Kokiringa Taumata.
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Postgraduate regulations
General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study.
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.