Do you have a keen interest in the environment? Are you looking to develop the skills needed to help sustainably manage natural resources and address a wide variety of environmental problems? Do you want to pursue a new career pathway that deals with conservation, our natural resources, as well as environmental law? The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Environmental Management) programme may be what you've been searching for.
Course Details Will Change In 2025
A new version of this programme will be delivered in 2025. It will become the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Environmental Management) (Level 4). The course structure is under review, meaning some course details may change, including papers offered, fees, and entry requirements. In the meantime, please apply as normal; we will advise you of any changes and are always available to answer any questions.
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17 weeks full-time
Up to two years part-time
Intakes are 17 weeks long
2025 Intake 1: 27 January to 23 May - Applications Close 13 January 2025
2025 Intake 2: 24 February to 20 June - Applications Close 10 February 2025
2025 Intake 3: 09 June to 03 October - Applications Close 26 May 2025
2025 Intake 4: 07 July to 31 October - Applications Close 23 June 2025
2025 Intake 5: 04 August to 28 November - Applications Close 21 July 2025
SIT Zero Fees Scheme
International Fees
$12500
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The aims of the qualification are as follows:
ENV401 Introduction to Ecology and Conservation (15 credits)
This paper provides students with an introductory understanding of the ecological and biological principles fundamental to environmental management in New Zealand.
On completion of this paper, the student will be able to:
ENV402 Marine Ecology and Freshwater Ecology (15 credits)
This paper will provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of marine and freshwater ecology and the ecological factors which characterise marine, fluvial, and lacustrine environments.
EVN403 Resource Management and Environmental Law (15 credits)
This paper introduces students to the concepts, principles, and applications of environmental law, its historical and current context, the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi on resource management and the legislation that governs environmental management in New Zealand.
ENV404 Conservation Management (15 credits)
This paper introduces students to problems and challenges associated with conservation management in New Zealand.
Graduating students may be able to undertake entry level/assistant environmental type positions in the following areas:
Students may also progress to higher level study such as the Bachelor of Environmental Management at SIT.
Applicants should demonstrate a likelihood of success in the programme of study. Likelihood of success may be demonstrated through a variety of means, including: relevant work experience, Curriculum Vitae, letter of intent, achievement of NCEA in environmental management related or science related standards, or an interview.
School Leavers
Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2.
Mature Applicants
Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 3 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one's own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment
Certificate at Level 4
Suggested Study Path/Combinations
Part time study is recommended for this qualification. The number of credits selected per intake should depend on work, family, and other commitments. Students must complete papers in the order that they are listed on the website. The content of ENV401 deals with the core, fundamental aspects of how New Zealand was formed and acts as a foundation for all other papers.
The following part time study paths are guides only; students may do fewer or more papers, time permitting:
Full time study
Full time study is completing all 60 credits in one intake. However, due to the intensive workload of the programme we do not recommend that students enrol in more than 48 credits per intake. Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager's discretion.
Additional information
As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period
All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs).
Online enrolments are on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment. Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students. There is no automatic enrolment rollover.
All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.
Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the second week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.
All students will get an official academic transcript on successful completion of their programme of study which will be posted or given at Graduation. After each intake is finished, it is suggested that students check their results on MySIT.
We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.
Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.
New students - I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
New students - I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates) These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).
I have computer access, an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office
What is the Zero Fees Scheme?
Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?
Instructions to help you with your application:
Complete your online enrolment checking that:
What happens next?
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Environmental Management, and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
Please note: students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit zero fees entitlement.
Successful completion of this programme will enable you to progress to higher levels of tertiary training including the Bachelor of Environmental Management at SIT's Invercargill campus.
Assessments for this programme typically include essays and online tests (essay, short answer and multi-choice questions). There are no external exams for this programme.