Bachelor of Environmental Planning
Our Bachelor of Environmental Planning /BEP is an interdisciplinary, research-led programme that prepares you for a career in urban and environmental planning.
Why study the Bachelor of Environmental Planning?
Accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), the Bachelor of Environmental Planning recognises that environmental problems and solutions involve social, economic and cultural dimensions as well as the natural and physical environment.
The BEP provides you with practical, industry experience gained across labs, workshops and field trips. You'll also benefit from guest lecturers and practical activities, and will attend industry-focused events such as resource management hearings, case law presentations and mock hearings.
The BEP is a flexible and interdisciplinary degree which provides students with choices in structuring their programme of study. It takes four years to complete and prepares students for a wide range of jobs in New Zealand and overseas.
This four-year degree is divided into three streams:
All students undertake a set of compulsory papers which provides a strong foundation in Environmental Planning. These papers cover topics such as Future Cities, Planning for Environmental Change, Urban Spatial Analysis Environmental Policy and Impact Assessment, Māori Resource Management and professional skills. In addition, students must select a planning stream from three specialist areas:
- Science and the Environment
- Society and the Environment
- Te Ara Taiao: Māori and the Environment
The degree brings together papers from a range of subjects, including Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Law, Economics, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, Political Science and Geography.
Career Opportunities
- Environmental Planner
- City Planner
- Iwi Management Planner
- Policy Analyst or Advisor
- Researcher
- Project Manager
- Resource Consent Planner
- Reserves Planner
- Transport Planner
- Environmental Consultant
- Conservation officer
Degree information
Select a tile for more information. There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
To enrol in the BEP, you need University Entrance or equivalent. Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites. You can check these at papers.waikato.ac.nz. If you do not meet the prerequisites email info@waikato.ac.nz as there may be other pathways you can take.
Estimated fees
$8,290 per year
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costsScholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 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. View information about fees free study.
Practical experience
Many of the papers offered within the BEP contain opportunities for practical experience including labs, workshops and field trips. You'll also benefit from guest lecturers and practical activities, and will attend industry-focused events such as resource management hearings, urban design evaluations and environmental impact assessment workshops.
As you progress in your programme of study you are expected to undertake a wide range of practical activities as part of your assessments. Preparation of technical reports, GIS applications, resource consent applications, district plans, resource management plans, cultural impact assessments, policy position papers are examples of the intended practical experience component.
What are our students saying
Learning about Aotearoa’s resource management law, how to plan cities and combating the pressures of climate change makes this degree extremely satisfying and beneficial.Marcus FletcherBachelor of Environmental Planning
