About the course

Get a degree that's recognised worldwide and contribute to knowledge in your field. A Master of Science (MSc) will develop your technical, laboratory and academic writing skills to prepare you for a career in science.

　　The MSc will take you between two and two and half years of full-time study or up to four years part time. In the first year of your MSc you'll take several courses related to your specialist subject area. Next, you'll carry out in-depth supervised research for 12–15 months and write a thesis. During your studies you might also author publications for peer-reviewed journals.

　　Advance your understanding of the diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms that live on earth.

　　You might choose to explore topics such as the measurement and analysis of biological diversity, or the physical and biological processes in ecology and population genetics using molecular biology tools. Delve further into plant ecology and conservation, animal ecology and behaviour, and evolution.

　　Or you could focus on how polluted waterways can affect the environment, examine soil salinisation and ocean acidification, or analyse rising UV and carbon dioxide levels and changes in our climate. There is an urgent worldwide effort to research and address the problems created by human activities that are affecting the survival of many species.

　　Taught by the School of Biological Sciences, you'll study at the number one ranked tertiary institution in New Zealand for overall research quality in ecology. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 4 Trimester(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Trimester 1 (February), 2024	Wellington
Trimester 2 (July), 2024	Wellington
Trimester 1 (February), 2025	Wellington
Trimester 2 (July), 2025	Wellington
Trimester 1 (February), 2026	Wellington
Trimester 2 (July), 2026	Wellington

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Victoria University of Wellington

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the same subject area. A research proposal is required. Applicants must identify a potential supervisor. Applicants with a good Bachelor’s degree with Honours may be considered for direct entry into second year.

　　IELTS overall band of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0, or n TOEFL 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing, or n a minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test,

　　

English language requirements

　　6.5

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 90.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Victoria University of Wellington. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　401st / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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