About the programme
The Master of Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering is an NZQF level 9 programme at Lincoln University in New Zealand focused on sustainable development and natural resource management, including a semester in Europe at BOKU University in Vienna, Austria. It carries 240 credits over two years of full-time study.
Growing populations, environmental degradation and rising competition for shrinking resources call for new ways of managing nature. Lincoln presents this as a globally respected two-year master's in sustainable development that prepares graduates to make a difference where it is most needed.
Students design their own multidisciplinary programme around their research and career goals and can focus on ecological engineering, nature conservation and wildlife management, risk management, or international business and sustainability. The degree builds critical understanding of resource management and ecological engineering issues, stakeholder behaviour, the New Zealand, Austrian and international agreements and conventions that shape the field, and Māori and other indigenous approaches. Problems are tackled from multidisciplinary and, where relevant, multinational perspectives.
In the first semester students take 60 credits of courses at Lincoln; in the second, at least 60 credits (30 ECTS) at BOKU (the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences), with the first year serving as research preparation. The second year is a 120-credit thesis at Lincoln. At Lincoln, students choose at least one course from a recommended list covering environmental policy, sustainability, research methods and GIS, plus one elective.
The programme suits graduates of relevant bachelor's degrees who want to work in natural resource management and ecological engineering in an international setting.
Entry requirements
- A relevant New Zealand level 7 bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent with at least a B average in 300-level and final-year courses
- Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the university's English language requirements
What you study
- ERST 630 — Environmental Policy and Planning
- ERST 636 — Aspects of Sustainability: An International Perspective
- ECOL 608 — Research Methods in Ecology
- ECON 615 — Applied Research Methods
- ERST 601 — Advanced Theory in Resource Studies
- ERST 606 / ERST 607 — Advanced Geographic Information Systems A and B
- SOCI 601 / SOCI 602 — Social Science Research Methods (Quantitative / Qualitative)
- Courses at BOKU, Vienna — at least 60 credits (30 ECTS)
- Thesis at Lincoln — 120 credits
Careers after graduation
- Consulting in environmental resource management and ecological engineering
- Government and non-government research organisations
- Advising communities and community-owned associations
- Consulting in the higher education sector
Post-study work visa
Up to 3 years
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