Design for positive change
Study Environmental Design to learn how to create positive environmental, social, and cultural change through design. Learn to design indoor and outdoor spaces that protect the existing natural and built environments.
Your study teaches you environmental, urban, architectural, and landscape design concepts. Learn to tailor your strategies to the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll honour its cultural diversity, ecological richness, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Throughout, you'll gain the confidence to tackle complex environmental issues in your designs. Collaborate with a range of people and develop strong communication skills.
How you'll study
Environmental Design is a major in the Bachelor of Environment and Society (BEnvSoc). It’s taught by both the School of Architecture and the School of Design Innovation.
Your courses will cover topics including:
- environmental design sciences
- sustainability in the designed or built environment
- whakapapa design
- landscape architecture
- human environmental science
- regenerative design
- design justice.
Your core courses help you make connections between people and their environments alongside your major. You’ll study alongside students studying Architecture, Building Science, and Design.
Your study will teach you Mauri Ora as a design methodology—you'll learn practice-based tikanga within kaitiakitanga (guardianship) roles. In this context, you’ll consider the roles and responsibilities of people who work designing the built environment, and the opportunities they have.
You’ll look at current and future ecological and environmental challenges.
You’ll graduate with environmental knowledge and skills, preparing you to understand and address urgent environmental issues.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Environmental Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Environmental Design graduates have many career opportunities. You might work in roles such as:
- sustainability consultant
- environmental design consultants
- local, regional, or national government environmental advisor
- building environmental design professional
- green building consultant
- resilience planner
- ecological restoration advisor
- biophilic design consultant.
More career information
Find out more about careers in Environmental Design.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
Scholarships for Environmental Design
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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Studio Pacific Architecture wish to support a student undertaking their first year of study at Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
Scholarships for Environmental Design
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate study
After you complete your Bachelor of Environment and Society majoring in Environmental Design, you can pursue further study.
You can directly enrol in the:
- Master of Climate Change Science and Policy
- Master of Design Innovation
- Master of Development Studies
- Master of Environmental Studies
- Master of Science
- Master of Urban and Regional Planning
- Master of User Experience Design
Or, you can study a diploma to bridge into a specific Master’s programme.
- Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments—followed by a Master of Architecture (Professional), Master of Interior Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture.
- Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation—followed by a Master of Design Technology.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.