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Climate Change lockup

Bachelor of Climate Change

Why study Bachelor of Climate Change?

The Bachelor of Climate Change is a unique and flexible degree which will arm you with knowledge that transcends traditional subject areas to meet the growing demand for experts who will help solve this complex, global issue.

New Bachelor of Climate Change launched

Watch the launch of our brand new Bachelor of Climate Change degree – delivering graduates who will lead future climate change solutions. It combines scientific knowledge and an understanding of people, economic and political systems, including the impacts on Māori, Pacific and Indigenous communities.

Be part of the climate solution


This degree is the first of its kind in the world and combines scientific knowledge of the biophysical world with understanding of economic and political systems and the impacts on Māori, Pacific and Indigenous communities.

A degree with a difference

While climate change is an incredibly complex problem, the solution is very simple - we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This requires a fundamental shift in the way we do business and go about our lives.

With a Bachelor of Climate Change you will be well placed to support and guide others in this transition, from navigating the world of compliance and policy or helping to shift mindsets and behaviours within organisations and communities.

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Career pathways

We need people from all walks of life to contribute their expertise to developing solutions to climate change. This is a degree that will ensure you take up your place in the workforce as a climate-informed citizen.


Here are a few of the many rewarding jobs that a Bachelor of Climate Change could prepare you for:

  • Analyst
  • Anthropologist
  • Biodiversity manager
  • Climate action specialist
  • Climate change manager
  • Community educator
  • Consultant
  • Data analyst
  • Ecologist
  • Economist
  • Environmental scientist
  • Foreign affairs advisor
  • Iwi advisor
  • Media advisor
  • Policy analyst
  • Political Scientist
  • Politician
  • Planner
  • Public relations expert
  • Sustainability advisor

What will I study?

While learning about climate change science is a big (and important) part of the degree, it is not the only part. You will also complete compulsory papers that look at climate change through a social science lens as well as Māori and Pacific responses to climate changes.


What sets this degree apart is its multidisciplinary focus, which basically means you will be harnessing the superpowers of the collective.

Example degree planner

Degree planner — Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) (Single Major)

Year 2

200 Level Major

200 Level Major

200 Level Major

CLIMT202 Māori and Pacific Responses to Climate Change

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

300 Level Major

300 Level Major

300 Level Major

300 Level Major

CLIMT301 Climate Change Mitigation: Group Project

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Major
  • Compulsory
  • Elective

Year 1 papers

This information is provisional and subject to change.

You will be able to choose from one of 21 major subjects - you may also choose two major subjects (a double major).

  • Anthropology
  • Chemistry
  • Data Analytics
  • Earth Sciences
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Economics
  • Education and Society
  • Environmental Planning
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Geography
  • History
  • Law
  • Māori and Indigenous Studies
  • Pacific and Indigenous Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Public Relations
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Strategic Management

Some examples of some double major combinations include:

  • Environmental Sciences and Political Science
  • Economics and Chemistry

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Work on a real-world issue during your degree

In your third year you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team with a company, iwi or community group to solve a real climate change problem.


You could be working alongside students majoring in Earth Science, Economics, Geography or Maori and Indigenous Studies on this project.

This is a valuable way of working as part of a diverse team and applying your knowledge in a way that will affect real change in your community.

Our climate change research

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University of Waikato researchers are helping New Zealand communities mitigate emissions and adapt to the increasing number of extreme weather events we face influenced by human induced climate change.

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Oceanography researcher recognised for making waves around the world

With a sea captain for a grandfather and childhood summers spent around the sea, it’s no surprise that Karin Bryan was drawn to studying the deep blue.

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