Pathway to a master’s
A postgraduate diploma is the stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a masters
Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Conservation Biology) gives you the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a master's level. The programme consists of 90 credits of taught programmes and 30 credits of research.
The programme gives you the opportunity to show your analytical thinking and high-level research capability.
You will learn to address real conservation management problems. You will work in a small-group setting and engage with staff of conservation agencies who are working, on the ground, to save our endangered native species.
You will have the opportunity to take part in multiple field projects to experience the reality of conservation work in New Zealand, all before you graduate. This gives you an advantage with potential employers.
Or, you may choose to work on primarily analytical projects as part of your study, such as modelling population dynamics or ecosystems. You can also focus on lab projects, involving genetic analysis, physiology, or post-mortem work.
Massey’s postgraduate conservation biology programme is very relevant to industry. It was developed in consultation with potential employers. It specifically targets the requirements of organisations such as New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, the Ministry for the Environment, Landcare Research, regional councils and environmental consulting firms.
It is designed to provide training for biologists, veterinarians, resource managers, and environmental planners seeking careers in conservation.
International trends are for employers to reward postgraduate study well, especially in larger enterprises. The skills you learn are increasingly recognised as setting you apart from other potential employees.
A 2017 Ministry of Education publication, The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that, in New Zealand, earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed.
If you complete the programme at a satisfactory level you may be able to proceed to the Master of Science (Conservation Biology). If so, credits you have gained through this qualification may be credited to the master’s programme.
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Conservation Biology) you will have been awarded or qualified for:
You will need to provide verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
Including:
At least 90 credits of courses from the Schedule to the Diploma
A specialisation (endorsement) is optional, requiring at least 75 credits in the endorsement.
Attend contact workshops, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
| 60 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 232701 | Conservation Biology | 30 |
| 232703 | Wildlife Management | 30 |
| 132735 | Natural Resource Policy and Planning | 30 |
| 145739 | GIS Principles and Applications | 30 |
| 158740 | Location Systems: Spatial Databases, Tools and Applications | 15 |
| 158741 | Location Data: Mapping, Analysis and Visualisation | 15 |
| 161731 | Biostatistics for Researchers | 15 |
| 161762 | Multivariate Analysis for Big Data | 15 |
| 162761 | Research Methods and Written Communication in Biosciences | 15 |
| 162762 | Grant Writing and Oral Communication in Biosciences | 15 |
| 188705 | Environmental Policy | 15 |
| 188764 | Advanced Environmental Management I | 15 |
| 188765 | Advanced Environmental Management II | 15 |
| 194709 | Conservation Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology | 30 |
| 196712 | Aquatic Ecology | 30 |
| 196726 | Plant Ecology | 30 |
| 199714 | Animal Behaviour | 30 |
| 232704 | Wildlife Disease | 30 |
| 232705 | Captive Breeding and Management | 30 |
| 232799 | Research Report | 30 |
| 235701 | Māori Values and Resource Management | 15 |
Completing an endorsement is compulsory. A Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Conservation Biology) endorsement requires 120 credits.
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
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.
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.
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.
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
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 will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
“
I loved what I learned in my undergraduate courses and wanted to expand on this knowledge. The papers offered in the postgraduate conservation biology degree were very stimulating and relevant, which further fuelled my passion in conservation
” Emily Hotham
Graduate Ecologist at Boffa Miskell Ltd
Dr Luis Ortiz Catedral’s research encompasses approaches to document, measure and protect island biodiversity. He uses island vertebrates (snakes, iguanas, parrots) as models to understand changes in population sizes and their relationships to extinction risk. His collaboration partners include research and wildlife partners from the Galapagos National Park (Ecuador), Norfolk Island National Park (Australia), and the Division of Fish and Wildlife (Norther Mariana Islands).
Dr Luis Ortiz Catedral
Lecturer
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
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.
General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
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.
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.