Unique degree
Our master's degree in the UN Sustainable Development Goals is the only one of its kind in Australasia.
Climate-focused
Our Climate Action Plan runs from 2021 to 2030 and is just one way we're building sustainability into university life.
World-wide recognition
Be work-ready on a global scale. Many Massey qualifications are recognised around the world, as well as in New Zealand.
The heart of the matter
Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey. Explore what it means to be human, why we act like we do and the ways we create meaning.
Overview
Sustainability means living smarter, using natural resources wisely so future generations can thrive. Caring for people and the planet spans culture and society, politics, economics and more.
Learn from world-class lecturers and researchers with specialisations such as corporate social responsibility or sustainable development. Understand how sustainable thinking and practice benefit business, industry and society. Gain the practical skills to measure sustainability and innovate for a sustainable future. Graduate with in-demand training and knowledge, ready to work in a fast-growing field.
Sustainability is a good fit if you:
- enjoy subjects such as science, design, social studies or technology
- want to help solve complex problems facing the world
- like thinking analytically, being innovative and creative, and working with others.
Sustainability cuts across many subject areas, so courses may cover:
- agriculture and environmental management
- built environment
- ecology
- food technology
- indigenous or traditional knowledge
- international development
- logistics and supply chain management
- planning, including environmental, regional, transport or urban planning
- sustainable business practices
- the UN's sustainable development goals.
How to study sustainability
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in sustainability – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor of Agribusiness – BAgribusiness
At Massey, many of our agribusiness students have jobs before they even graduate. Join to gain the skills and sound business knowledge to help progress the future of New Zealand’s primary production sector.
Bachelor of Arts – BA
With Massey's BA, you can study subjects that you enjoy while learning to be a creative, critical and independent thinker. You’ll get transferable skills that employers are looking for in a rapidly changing world.
Bachelor of Construction – BConst
The Bachelor of Construction will help you become a highly sought-after construction expert who can contribute to all sectors of the construction industry.
Bachelor of Horticultural Science – BHortSci
Do you have a passion for plants and people? This is the only horticultural degree in New Zealand fully co-designed and created in collaboration with the industry.
Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning – BRP
With Massey’s Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning you can contribute to shaping the future of liveable cities and regions, ensuring sustainable use of resources.
Bachelor of Science – BSc
Massey’s Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a flexible qualification that will challenge you, while giving you the satisfaction of discovery.
Bachelor of Social Work – BSW
Become a registered social worker to support the wellbeing of individuals, families, whānau, and diverse communities by helping them through challenging situations, and advocating for environmental sustainability, social justice and social change.
Environmental Health – Bachelor of Health Science
Protect people and communities from threats to their health from built and natural environments, with the Bachelor of Health Science (Environmental Health).
Health Promotion – Bachelor of Health Science
Tackle key health challenges and improve individual, community and population well-being with Massey's Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion).
Undergraduate bachelor's degrees with honours
Bachelor of Design with Honours – BDes(Hons)
Change the world through design. Study in New Zealand’s leading and most comprehensive design qualification.
Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours – BFoodTech(Hons)
Massey University’s Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours is the only degree in Australasia that combines food science, food engineering, and food business. Our graduates are highly employable and sought after.
Undergraduate diplomas
Diploma in Facilities Management – DipFM
Learn about operational maintenance and management of built facilities with Massey's Diploma in Facilities Management. This will open the way to a diverse and challenging career.
Graduate diplomas
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health – GradDipEH
If you’re interested in protecting people’s health and wellbeing at a local community level, the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health is for you.
Graduate Diploma in Facilities Management – GradDipFM
Build on your existing knowledge and skills in construction with Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Facilities Management. Learn how to organise, control and coordinate the strategic and operational management of facilities.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Examples of specialisations relating to sustainability include:
Postgraduate study
Master's degrees
Master of Applied Social Work – MAppSW
Develop your passion for helping others. Massey’s Master of Applied Social Work will prepare you for practice and registration as a social worker in Aotearoa New Zealand and other English-speaking countries, subject to their registration regulations.
Business Sustainability – Master of Business Administration
With Massey’s Master of Business Administration MBA (Business Sustainability), you’ll develop leading-edge business skills that are closely connected to business practice including business risk and innovation management.
Master of Construction – MConstr
Become a world-leading construction specialist, with Massey University’s Master of Construction.
Master of Environmental Management – MEnvMgmt
Gain sought-after, advanced knowledge of current land and water-based environmental management with Massey's Master of Environmental Management.
Master of International Development – MIntDev
Help solve the world’s development problems. Our postgraduate students come from a wide range of academic, cultural, and professional backgrounds, and our programme is enriched by this diversity.
Sustainability – Master of Management
Gain the skills to be an effective manager within a sustainable-focused industry, or bring an increasingly important perspective to any business.
Master of Public Health – MPH
The Master of Public Health has practice and research pathways. The Professional Practice Pathway involves coursework and work-integrated learning opportunities. The Research Pathway involves conducting research under the supervision of experienced public health researchers.
Master of Resource and Environmental Planning – MRP
Shape the places where we live, work, and play, with a Master of Resource and Environmental Planning.
Master of Sustainable Development Goals – MSDG
Massey’s Master of Sustainable Development Goals will give you an advanced grounding in the theory, practice, and application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Master of Social Work – MSW
Take the next step in your social work career. Improve your practice and gain new knowledge to become an excellent social worker who makes a difference.
Postgraduate certificates
Postgraduate Certificate in International Development – PGCertIntDev
Massey's Postgraduate Certificate in International Development will broaden your knowledge of the world’s key development issues to shape a positive future for those in need.
Postgraduate Certificate in Planning – PGCertPlan
Develop essential planning skills and knowledge for a great career, with Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Planning.
Postgraduate diplomas
Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness – PGDipAgribus
Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness is a stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a master’s degree.
Postgraduate Diploma in Construction – PGDipConstr
The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction is a stepping stone to a research-based degree. You’ll become a construction professional, with relevant knowledge and skills the industry needs.
Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management – PGDipEnvMgmt
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management, you will gain an in-depth understanding of how the natural environment functions and learn what can be done to address today’s environmental challenges.
Postgraduate Diploma in International Development – PGDipIntDev
Gain advanced knowledge and skills to help overcome poverty and enhance human wellbeing.
Postgraduate Diploma in Planning – PGDipPlan
Shape the places where we live, work and play with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Planning. Get the essential planning skills you need for a great career.
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health – PGDipPH
Get a high-quality, comprehensive education in public health to boost your career while improving the health of New Zealanders.
Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work – PGDipSW
Take your social work career to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work.
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision – PGDipClinSup
The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision offers an advanced qualification for professionally qualified workers in the health and human services to develop their clinical supervision practice.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
What our students say
“Academic staff are internationally renowned for their great expertise in various leading-edge research fields.”
“My degrees at Massey gave me a good understanding the main components agricultural science – climate, soils, plants and animals – and how they interact”
“A degree in planning equipped me with the skills and knowledge to facilitate sustainable development as cities continue to grow.”
Campus Co-Lab
Staff and students work together to improve campus life. Students lead many projects, which are often on sustainability.
Examples include:
- Bikes at Massey – bike-sharing in Wellington
- Wā Collective – students get free or subsidised period products.
All campuses
Massey Student Enterprise: Develop your entrepreneurial mindset
Got a business idea? Massey Student Enterprise helps students and staff gain hands-on experience and knowledge to build a sustainable enterprise.
Join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators, supported by people who understand your goals.
Location: All campuses and available to distance students
Massey Campus Living Labs
In a Massey Campus Living Lab, students, academic staff and operational staff work together on campus sustainability.
Work on real-life research to improve your campus and beyond. Projects can include any area of sustainability, such as energy, waste or bio-diversity.
Student clubs, societies and associations
You could join a student club or society that focuses on sustainability or related areas. If your campus doesn't have one, start your own.
Student associations are run by students for students, so talk to your representatives about sustainability issues.
Location: All campuses
Jobs in sustainability
Sustainability is a fast-growing field across all economic activities, not just specialist jobs working on the environment. Sustainability is an ever-more important part of all sectors. Examples include construction, design, energy and tourism.
Careers related to sustainability include:
- conservationists and environmental scientists, who research and manage land and its wildlife
- environmental engineers, who assess how engineering projects affect natural resources, including waste systems
- farmers and horticulturalists, who produce food and manage land, crops and animals
- food technologists, who develop new food products or packaging
- industrial engineers, who plan and build systems to make products or supply services
- logistics and supply chain managers, who distribute goods
- policy advisers or analysts, who interpret information and create guidelines and frameworks for government and businesses
- product or industrial designers, who design objects and services
- research scientists, who carry out experiments and trials for companies, research organisations and government
- urban planners, architects and construction managers, who plan and oversee the development of cities and buildings.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
Many careers are related to sustainability. Here are some examples:
- Business analyst – $115,000 to $160,000
- Construction manager – $100,000 to $224,000
- Farm manager - $63,000 to $160,000
- Food technologist – $50,000 to $140,000
- Policy analyst – $71,000 to $170,000
- Urban or regional planner – $65,000 to $130,000
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which sustainability qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Aid worker or community health worker |
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health Postgraduate Certificate in International Development Postgraduate Diploma in International Development |
| Business manager or consultant |
Master of Management (Sustainability) Master of Business Administration (Business Sustainability) Master of Sustainable Development Goals |
| Conservation worker | Bachelor of Science (Ecology) |
| Construction manager | Bachelor of Construction (Construction Management) |
| Farm manager or consultant |
Bachelor of Agribusiness Bachelor of Horticultural Science Master of Agribusiness |
| Food technologist, food marketer or food manufacturer | Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours |
| International development manager |
Master of International Development Master of Sustainable Development Goals |
| Policy analyst specialising in the environment |
Bachelor of Agricultural Science Master of Environmental Management |
| Urban planner | Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning |
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Business Management Studies
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 400 universities for business and management.
Get an information guide
Download our guides to find out more about studying sustainability at Massey.
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