Join the best
Massey ranks in the world's top 250 universities for environmental sciences by QS World University Rankings.
Get hands on
From fieldwork to facilities such as seed banks and marine pathology labs, learn by doing at Massey.
Global recognition
Our qualifications in this area are accredited by international industry bodies, so you can work in New Zealand and overseas.
Learn by doing
Get hands-on experience in labs, field trips, and practical projects that focus on solving real-world problems.
Overview
Land. Water. Air. How we protect and use these natural resources affects our future, the future of Aotearoa New Zealand's unique plants and wildlife, and the future of our planet.
Learn from world-class lecturers and researchers with expertise in areas such as environmental management and zoology. Master new skills with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Explore new developments during field trips. Contribute to latest research, including the Botanic Gardens project.
Natural environment studies are a good fit if you:
- enjoy school subjects such as biology, geography or science
- want to shape a sustainable future for people and the environment
- like analysing data and solving problems.
Natural environment courses may cover:
- biodiversity
- climate change
- earth sciences (geology)
- environmental issues and solutions
- geography
- geospatial science – mapping data that casts light on people, places and the Earth's processes
- fieldwork opportunities
- resource consent
- soil and water quality
- urban design and town planning.
How to study natural environment
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in natural environment – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Environmental Studies – Bachelor of Arts
Turn your interest in the environment into a career with Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Environmental Studies).
Geography – Bachelor of Arts
Understand your place in the world with Massey's Bachelor of Arts (Geography). Learn how we interact with our cultural, social, and physical environments.
Bachelor of Earth and Environmental Science – BEarthEnvSc
Balance the prosperity and environmental stewardship of the Earth. Understand how we impact Earth’s systems and use your scientific skills to steer us towards a more sustainable future.
Geoscience – Bachelor of Earth and Environmental Science
Balance the prosperity and environmental stewardship of the Earth. Understand how we impact Earth’s systems and use your scientific skills to steer us towards a more sustainable future.
Land and Water Science – Bachelor of Earth and Environmental Science
Balance the prosperity and environmental stewardship of the Earth. Understand how we impact Earth’s systems and use your scientific skills to steer us towards a more sustainable future.
Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning – BRP
With Massey’s Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning you can contribute to shaping the future of liveable cities and regions, ensuring sustainable use of resources.
Chemistry – Bachelor of Science
Gain sought-after scientific, analytic, and problem-solving skills with Massey's Bachelor of Science (Chemistry).
Earth Science – Bachelor of Science
When you join the Bachelor of Science (Earth Science) you’ll join an area that’s solving geotechnical and environmental problems.
Ecology and Conservation – Bachelor of Science
From molecules to forests, ecology is a broad discipline that teaches you how to make sense of the interactions between organisms and their environment.
Environmental Science – Bachelor of Science
Studying environmental science at Massey will give you the tools and understanding needed to help create a sustainable path for New Zealand and the world.
Zoology – Bachelor of Science
Let your love of animals take you into a field that is in high demand throughout New Zealand. With Massey's Bachelor of Science (Zoology) you have the chance to learn everything there is to know about animals.
Undergraduate certificates
Certificate in Arts – CertArts
With Massey’s Certificate in Arts, you can study what you enjoy and explore subjects within history, beliefs, societies, languages, and cultures.
Certificate in Science and Technology – CertScTech
The Certificate in Science and Technology is a shorter study option at university level. It is used primarily as a ‘pathway’ to help you complete subjects you need to enter another qualification.
Graduate certificates
Geography – Graduate Certificate in Arts
With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Geography), you can study geography without completing a second bachelor’s degree. Learn how we interact with our cultural, social, and physical environments.
Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology – GCertScTech
Do you want to expand your knowledge or learn a new subject without completing a second bachelor’s degree? Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology is a flexible postgraduate study option.
Undergraduate diplomas
Environmental Studies – Diploma in Arts
If you are passionate about the natural world, a Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies) is a good place to begin. You’ll explore people’s relationships with the environment through different disciplines.
Geography – Diploma in Arts
With Massey's Diploma of Arts (Geography) you’ll learn how we interact with our cultural, social, and physical environments.
Diploma in Science and Technology – DipScTech
Undertake a shorter, more flexible study option with the Diploma in Science and Technology at Massey.
Graduate diplomas
Environmental Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Explore the dynamic relationship between human society and our environment with Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies).
Geography – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Geography) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in geography without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology – GDipScTech
The Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology gives you the opportunity to retrain in an area of science that interests you.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate bachelor's degrees with honours
Geography – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Geography) you can take your study of geography further.
Master's degrees
Geography – Master of Arts
Take your study of geography to a higher level with Massey’s Master of Arts (Geography). You can build on your undergraduate interest in geography and develop your critical research skills.
Master of Environmental Management – MEnvMgmt
Gain sought-after, advanced knowledge of current land and water-based environmental management with Massey's Master of Environmental Management.
Master of Resource and Environmental Planning – MRP
Shape the places where we live, work, and play, with a Master of Resource and Environmental Planning.
Conservation Biology – Master of Science
With Massey’s Master of Science (Conservation Biology), you will learn how to address conservation management problems that are relevant to the world today.
Earth Science – Master of Science
Gain skills in dealing with often-complex Earth systems, evaluate current research, and apply your knowledge to real-world issues while working in some really amazing places around the world.
Ecology – Master of Science
Explore the connections between living things and their environment with the Master of Science (Ecology).
Zoology – Master of Science
Take advantage of our zoology expertise and join New Zealand's most knowledgeable university for zoology-related topics.
Master of Sustainable Development Goals – MSDG
Massey’s Master of Sustainable Development Goals will give you an advanced grounding in the theory, practice, and application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Climate Action – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
Equips you with the skills and knowledge required to work within the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Environmental Sustainability – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
This qualification will give you an advanced grounding in the theory, practice, and application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to environmental sustainability.
Postgraduate diplomas
Geography – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of geography to a higher level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geography). Enhance your research skills by investigating a topic in geography that interests you.
Geospatial Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of geospatial science to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geospatial Science). Build on your undergraduate interests and develop your analysis and technical skills.
Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management – PGDipEnvMgmt
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management, you will gain an in-depth understanding of how the natural environment functions and learn what can be done to address today’s environmental challenges.
Conservation Biology – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
Learn to address real conservation management problems. The Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Conservation Biology) is a stepping stone to a research-based degree.
Earth Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
A Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Earth Science) is a stepping stone to a research-based degree.
Zoology – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
The Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Zoology) is a stepping stone to a research-based degree. Take advantage of Massey’s experts who can help you dig deeper into your area of interest.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
Relevant research areas at Massey
Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to natural environment at Massey.
What our students say
“I decided to study at Massey University because I wanted my future to be open to working in a variety of fields, and this programme has helped me develop the skills to achieve that.”
Our facilities
You'll have access to a wide range of first-class facilities when you study with us.
Wildbase Hospital
A specialist hospital for wildlife, with equipment and facilities including:
- 5 patient wards to separate prey from predatory species
- intensive care and isolation wards
- surgery suite
- endoscopes
- portable radiographic unit.
Students can assist with or observe procedures.
Location: Manawatū campus
Cetacean Pathology Unit
Our post-mortem facility assesses cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise) anatomy, life history, diet and human impacts. We hold a 30-year national tissue collection (frozen, fixed and dry) for research purposes.
Research includes:
- markers of health and disease in stranded cetaceans
- environmental contaminants
- climate and nutritional stress effects
- animal welfare in strandings response and euthanasia.
Dame Ella Campbell Herbarium (MPN)
The herbarium houses more than 75,000 flora specimens, from Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.
The majority of our collection comes from the North Island's Volcanic Plateau, Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki, and south to Wellington.
Location: Manawatū campus
Massey Botanic Gardens
This project is working to expand on Massey’s already expansive campus to create a botanic garden available for research, teaching and to the community across New Zealand and internationally. The garden will generate a wealth of information on restoration methods and the management of rare, threatened and endangered plants from around the world.
Location: Manawatū campus
New Zealand Indigenous Flora Seed Bank
The seed bank collects the seeds of Aotearoa New Zealand plants to conserve the biodiversity within our indigenous flora. Seed banking is a recognised conservation strategy to support in-situ conservation efforts.
Location: Manawatū campus
Jobs in natural environment
Careers linked to the natural environment can range from conservation to climate change, town planning to sustainable communities, economic development to resource consent.
Some of our graduates work in research – or as activists or policy makers – focusing on environmental management or protection.
Natural environment careers include:
- biologists
- conservation or ecology careers, which protect wildlife and ecosystems
- environmental consultants and advisors, who work for businesses
- environmental managers or scientists
- geographers, who study relationships between human activity and natural systems
- geospatial or GIS (geographic information systems) specialists
- geologists, who may advise on resources such as coal or groundwater
- planners, including environmental, regional, transport or urban planners
- policy analysts or advisors, who work for government or businesses.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- Environmental scientist – $58,000 to $165,000
- Geologist – $90,000 to $180,000
- Policy analyst or advisor – $71,000 to $170,000
- Urban or regional planner – $65,000 to $150,000
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which natural environment qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Environmental adviser | Bachelor of Arts (Environmental Studies) |
| Environmental manager | Master of Environmental Management |
| Environmental scientist |
Bachelor of of Science (Environmental Science) Master of Environment Management |
| Geologist | Master of Science (Earth Science) |
| Geographer or geospatial specialist |
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Geography) Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geospatial Science) |
| Urban or regional planner | Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning |
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Environmental Sciences
Massey University’s environmental sciences programme is ranked in the top 350 in the world by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
QS Ranking - Geography
Massey is ranked in the world's top 200 universities for geography in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
New Zealand Planning Institute
Massey's planning degrees have been accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute – Te Kokiringa Taumata for decades.
Get an information guide
Download our guides to find out more about studying natural environment at Massey.
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