How can businesses contribute to a better future?

By adopting a sustainability and ethics mindset, businesses create positive outcomes—not only for customers, investors, and employees, but also for communities and wider society.

Get prepared to apply the principles of sustainability and business ethics in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

Choose your study path

Sustainability and Ethics in Business is offered as a major in the Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Environment and Society. It is also available as a minor in any of our undergraduate degrees.

Explore topics including:

  • organisational and leadership ethics
  • marketing for social good
  • management for sustainable tourism
  • sustainability accounting and reporting
  • social responsibility in natural and digital environments
  • environmental economics and policy.

Flexible options

There are many options to combine Sustainability and Ethics in Business with other majors and minors.

You can study Sustainability and Ethics in Business with Commerce subjects like:

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • International Business
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Tourism Management.

Or you can study it with Environment and Society subjects like:

  • Climate Science
  • Design for Social Innovation
  • Development Studies
  • Education for the Environment
  • Environmental Studies.

You can also combine the BCom and BEnvSoc in a conjoint degree.

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.

Two students with laptops are being helped by a third person

Study options

Find out how you can study Sustainability and Ethics in Business at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Tohu Paetahi Tauhokohoko

Bachelor of Commerce—BCom

UNDERGRADUATEBACHELOR'S DEGREE
As society evolves, you need to adapt fast. Study a degree that builds future-ready skills to think flexibly and shape business and government.
Duration
3 years
Location
Kelburn and Pipitea campuses, Wellington
Level of study
Undergraduate
Points
360
Workload
Full or part-time
Type
Coursework
2026 – Trimester 3
Apply by
12 Nov 2026
Start study
16 Nov 2026
2027 – Trimester 1
Apply by
14 Feb 2027
Start study
22 Feb 2027
2027 – Trimester 2
Apply by
15 Jun 2027
Start study
5 Jul 2027
2027 – Trimester 3
Apply by
10 Oct 2027
Start study
15 Nov 2027
Tohu Paetahi Taiao me te Pāpori

Bachelor of Environment and Society—BEnvSoc

UNDERGRADUATEBACHELOR'S DEGREE
Pursue your passion for environmental issues. Tackle big questions with diverse thinking and equip yourself with the knowledge to drive change.
Duration
3 years
Location
Kelburn campus, Wellington
Level of study
Undergraduate
Points
360
Workload
Full or part-time
Type
Coursework
2026 – Trimester 3
Apply by
12 Nov 2026
Start study
16 Nov 2026
2027 – Trimester 1
Apply by
14 Feb 2027
Start study
22 Feb 2027
2027 – Trimester 2
Apply by
15 Jun 2027
Start study
5 Jul 2027
2027 – Trimester 3
Apply by
10 Oct 2027
Start study
15 Nov 2027

Future careers

Sustainability and Ethics in Business builds skills that employers value.

You’ll learn how to apply ethical and sustainable thinking in business decisions.

The skills you learn will be useful in many roles, including management, marketing, and accounting.

They also prepare you for sustainability-focused careers such as:

More career information

Find out more about careers in commerce on our 'What can I do with my degree' pages.

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. We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.

Scholarships for Business and Government

  • Worth: $10,000 Closing: 1 November, 2026

    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.

  • Worth: Up to $15,000 Closing: 31 January, 2027

    Applicants must be of Māori descent, identify as female, enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at Wellington School of Business and Government. Grade point average (GPA) or grade point equivalent (GPE) of at least 6.00 is required.

  • Worth: $6,000 Closing: 15 March, 2027

    In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.

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. We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.

Scholarships for Business and Government

  • Worth: $10,000 Closing: 1 November, 2026

    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.

  • Worth: Up to $15,000 Closing: 31 January, 2027

    Applicants must be of Māori descent, identify as female, enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at Wellington School of Business and Government. Grade point average (GPA) or grade point equivalent (GPE) of at least 6.00 is required.

  • Worth: $6,000 Closing: 15 March, 2027

    In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.

Postgraduate study

If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.

If you get good results in your undergraduate study and want to pursue research in your area of interest, you could go on to an Honours or Master’s degree.

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.

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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.

Wellington Global Exchange
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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. 

Study Abroad and Exchange

Discover your career pathway with Tahatū