About the programme
The Bachelor of Commerce (Sustainability) is an NZQF Level 7 undergraduate degree at Lincoln University that teaches how commercial decisions can be made in ways that protect and enhance land-based resources and wellbeing. It carries 360 credits and takes 3 years of full-time study on the Lincoln University campus.
The degree brings the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability into one workable framework: stewardship of the planet and of people's social and cultural wellbeing, alongside a fair return for individuals, organisations and communities. It takes a bicultural perspective, recognising the past and future of sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Students gain a grounding in current sustainability concepts together with an understanding of value creation and commerce in a land-based setting. They learn to explain how planet, people and profit interact, use planning and control systems to drive sustainable operations, assess the technological landscape and analyse an organisation's sustainability profile. Courses include New Zealand ecology and conservation, environmental analysis, the Treaty of Waitangi, freshwater resources, sustainability analysis and reporting, resource management law and Māori environmental management (Te Kaitiakitaka), with options in risk and resilience, environmental planning and policy, agroecology, and climate change and land use.
The programme is highly prescribed: compulsory courses must be taken in the recommended order, and starting in Semester 1 is advised because a Semester 2 start may change the length of study. At least 105 credits must be at 300 level.
Entry requirements
- University Entrance through NCEA or an approved equivalent, with separate guidance for overseas qualifications.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must meet additional English language requirements.
- Accounting and English are highly recommended; business studies, computing, economics, Māori studies and maths or statistics are also useful.
What you study
- Land, People and Economies
- Environmental Analysis
- Ecology I: New Zealand Ecology and Conservation
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi)
- Sustainable Futures
- Freshwater Resources
- Sustainability Analysis and Actions
- Business and Sustainability
- Resource Management Law and Sustainability Analysis and Reporting
- Te Kaitiakitaka (Māori Environmental Management)
Careers after graduation
- Emerging sustainability roles across all sectors
- Roles in land-related organisations
- Leading sustainability initiatives at local, national and global level
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 09/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the Lincoln University website