About the programme
The Bachelor of Aquaculture and Marine Conservation is an NZQF Level 7 programme at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) that builds specialist knowledge and hands-on skills in aquaculture and the protection of marine ecosystems. It carries 360 credits over 3 years of full-time study.
The degree links fish and shellfish farming with conservation. Overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change put ocean and freshwater environments at risk, and students learn sustainable farming principles that help protect them. Tropical marine environments are also covered. The curriculum was developed with industry, and alongside ecology students gain communication and operations management skills.
Year one lays the foundations of aquaculture and marine conservation, year two develops technical skills, and year three combines advanced aquaculture, aquatic ecology and research. The final year has a strong applied research component and lets students lean towards aquaculture, conservation, industry management or a mix. There is roughly one field trip a week and three industry placements in total, within the Industry Practice courses at Levels 5 and 6 and the Applied Industry Project at Level 7.
Study takes place in Nelson, the region that grows most of New Zealand's aquaculture produce, including Greenshell mussels, King Salmon and Pacific oysters. Local industry members and the Nelson science community contribute to teaching. People already working in the industry can discuss studying alongside their job, including by distance.
Entry requirements
- NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 and 20 at Level 2, including 14 credits in each of three approved subjects plus literacy and numeracy), an NZQA-recognised equivalent such as IB or Cambridge, or a Level 4 qualification in a related field.
- Alternate entry is possible for applicants who can show readiness for tertiary study through work, study or life experience, including via recognition of prior learning.
- If English is not your first language: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 from one test in the last two years, an alternative from the NZQA table, or NCEA Level 3 University Entrance.
- Distance students need work in, or access to, a suitable aquaculture workplace, and must be able to attend compulsory residential workshops and sit exams at NMIT or another tertiary provider.
What you study
- Aquatic Life Support Systems and Animal Husbandry
- Aquatic Biology
- Te Tai Ao and Environmental Management
- Industry Practice 1 and Industry Practice 2
- Health and Biosecurity Management
- Marine Conservation Biology
- Statistics and Experimental Design
- Aquatic Animal Nutrition
- Applied Industry Project
Careers after graduation
- Business, production or policy management in aquaculture
- Research and development technician
- Local government environmental officer
- Marine ranger
- Ministry for Primary Industries fisheries inspector or observer
- Public aquarium curator
- Further study: Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture
Post-study work visa
Equal to the length of the programme, 3 years maximum
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 19/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the NMIT website