Master of Environmental Planning
The Master of Environmental Planning involves advanced study in urban and environmental planning. The degree is suitable for those seeking to have planning as a professional career (taught Masters) or as a pathway to doctoral studies (research Masters).
180 points, 1- 1.5 years
or 120 points, 1 year
Hamilton, Tauranga
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Why study the Master of Environmental Planning?
During your Master of Environmental Planning (MEP), you'll develop your knowledge and skills relating to both the theory and practical applications of planning.
Our comprehensive MEP taught programme (180 points) is open to graduates from a full range of bachelor’s degrees, including subjects related to social sciences or sciences. The taught MEP is comprised of taught papers only meaning that you can improve your career prospects or switch your focus and potential earnings regardless of your previous academic experiences. You will gain all the required foundational knowledge and skills to pursue a career in planning in New Zealand or overseas.
Alternatively, you can enrol in a 120 points research MEP which gives you the opportunity to engage in independent (supervised) research in a wide range of interdisciplinary planning topics (e.g., climate change adaptation, green infrastructure, housing, heritage, population and urbanisation growth, indigenous planning, resilience to natural hazards, biodiversity conservation), providing you with a gateway to a higher research degree.
Collaboration with Planning Professionals
During the MEP programme, you'll learn from guest lecturers, attend workshops and enjoy field trips where a range of professionals share their expertise. The Environmental Planning programme has enjoyed longstanding and active links with these professionals.
The teaching staff are connected with relevant networks such as the New Zealand Planning Institute, City and Regional Councils, central government agencies, and private consultants. Collaboration is encouraged and the MEP helps build close relations between Programme members and employers, whether they be in environmental agencies or resource-use industries. These links help with addressing practical environmental problems.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates work across a wide range of public and private organisations, including:
- Resource management and development consultancies - Aotearoa and abroad
- Local councils and national government agencies
- Iwi and hapū organisations
- Environmental or heritage conservation groups
- Urban strategy and design consultancies
- Transport planning organisations
- Housing authorities
180 points, 1- 1.5 years
or 120 points, 1 year
Hamilton, Tauranga
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Degree information
Admission requires a Bachelors level qualification or equivalent. Once you have applied to study with us you are welcome to speak with one of our senior academics who will help advise you on your studies based on your goals and previous experience. This will ensure you have all the support and advice you need to succeed in your studies.
Please refer to the regulations in the University of Waikato Calendar for official details of admission and degree requirements, available subjects, honours eligibility and more.
Even if you don't meet the entry criteria, please contact us to discuss your options, as all applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked to complete some qualifying papers first to ensure you reach the academic standards.
Estimated fees
$42,903 per year
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costsScholarships
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Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 09 November 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
It is not expected that the MEP degree in itself will ensure a full range of core competencies in planning, but, in addition to the knowledge and skills acquired at undergraduate and honours graduate level (or their equivalent), graduates of the MEP degree will have advanced academic knowledge of:
- The philosophy, theory and methods of planning, traditional and contemporary debates in planning
- The physical and social processes which constitute the natural and built environment; the social and economic consequences of managing the natural and built environment; the complexities of interactions between people and their environments; the financial and other drivers of development processes
- Managing the natural and built environment through methods for environmental evaluation, impact assessment, and development consent processing systems; managing urban space, amenities and heritage; indicators for sustainable development; planning for social, cultural and equity issues
- The theoretical dimensions of planning practice through and application of theoretical and methodological principles to policy and plan preparation, goal setting, creation and use of planning instruments
- Institutional contexts for planning practice including an understanding of government and policy formulation, the planning process, planning procedures, Treaty of Waitangi and environmental law, and related areas of policy and law
- Recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi and its implications for planning practice, the principles of the Treaty and environmental law; protocols and relationships with iwi; Māori values and Treaty issues
- Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including different forms of data collection, forecasting techniques, risk assessment, design and aesthetic consideration, geographic information systems; and experience with some of these
- Knowledge of consultative techniques, including mediation and negotiation
Knowledge of resource consent processing and assessment
One or more specialist fields of knowledge
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships.
Graduate study options
What our students are saying
Finding like-minded people has definitely been a highlight of my degree and I also enjoyed working directly with high-up professionals (lecturers) on projects and feeling like an equal with valid input.Allycia van de LaarMaster of Science (Research)
