Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability BSEnS

at University of Canterbury

• The only undergrad degree in Aotearoa that focuses on all areas of sustainability — from social to economic to environmental.

• Courses come from a variety of different subjects — including Environmental Science, Policy, and Marketing — so you can get a full view of the global issues that you are passionate about and learn how you can achieve behaviour change and social action.

• Use UC’s local and global contacts with entrepreneurs, environmental scientists, tangata whenua, and other change makers.

• Final year internship with a local business so you can get real experience making a difference.

• Option to study a minor from subjects across Arts, Commerce, Health Sciences, Science, Sport Coaching, and Youth and Community Leadership.
   

  The Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability is made up of a total 360 points:

   

   

• 105 points of compulsory courses

• 30 points of optional courses

• 135 points of courses towards a major

• the remaining 90 points can be from either Arts courses or courses from other degrees.

• A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

  The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
   

  Majors and minors
   

  BSEnS students have the option of completing either:

   

• a major

• a major and a minor.

• Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum of 135 points, with at least 45 points above 100-level and at least 60 points at 300-level.

  A minor consists of a minimum of 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Science, Sport Coaching, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees.
   

  Compulsory courses
   

  Year 1

• SENS101 Introduction to the Principles and Concepts of Sustainability

• ENVR101 Introduction to Environmental Science

• MAOR108 Aotearoa: Introduction to New Zealand Treaty Society

• WRIT101 Writing for Academic Success
   

• Year 2

• SENS201 Systems Thinking for Sustainability

• ARTS102 Problems, Questions, Evidence OR STAT101 Statistics 1

• SENS301 Sustainability Transitions, Transformation and Agents of Change

• PACE295 Internship OR PACE395 Internship
   

• Major subjects

   

• Environmental Policy, Governance and Social Justice

• Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Partnerships

• Social Action, Community and Global Development

• Sustainable Business, Enterprise and Economics

Anyone from any study background will be able to study the BSEnS.

Interests in environmental science and sustainability, voluntary work, economics, or social change will be particularly useful to get the most out of study. Strong communications skills will also be very helpful.
 

English language requirements for undergraduate qualifications
 

If you want to study towards a Bachelor Degree (excluding teaching degrees), Certificate of Proficiency, Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, or Graduate Certificate or Diploma you must have one of the following:
 

    FEES (NZD) - $31,100

• Complete a final-year internship supporting our local industry in sustainability.

• Knowing how to identify, critique, and actually make these necessary changes will make you hugely beneficial to our collective goal to make the world a better place.

• Graduates will find work as consultants, policy analysts, aid and advocacy workers, environmental advisors, economists, business managers, entrepreneurs, and more.