The Master of Wildlife Management (MWLM) degree is a three-semester 180-point postgraduate degree designed to train students with the skills necessary for employment in some aspect of wildlife or ecological management or research.
Other important goals of the course are to develop in students:
an understanding of the ecological basis of conservation, harvest management and pest control.
skills in handling, marking, observing and surveying wild animals.
an appreciation of the practical realities of wildlife management from the administrative and legal points of view.
a knowledge of the biology, ecology and behaviour of wild animals in New Zealand.
skills in communicating about the management of, and scientific research of, ecological communities. Verbal presentations, debating, dealing with the media, popular science writing and scientific report writing are all emphasised and taught.
Information for new applicants
A candidate would normally have completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in a related subject area before undertaking the MWLM, but the degree is also open to those with other qualifications.
This programme is subject to limitations on enrolment numbers. Qualified domestic students are given first preference, but places may be available for international students.
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Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Wildlife Management (MWLM)
Admission to the Programme
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences), on the advice of the Head of Department of Zoology and the Director of the Wildlife Management programme.
Every applicant shall either
have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Science, or equivalent, majoring in Zoology, Biology, or Ecology, and have achieved an average grade of at least B in the relevant 300-level papers, or
have alternative qualifications acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).
Structure of the Programme
The programme of study shall consist of papers worth a total of 180 points, normally comprising WILM 401, WILM 402, and WILM 501, plus papers worth at least 100 points from WILM and ZOOL papers, and other 400-level papers. Every programme of study must include WILM 404 , (or equivalent) if ZOOL 316, has not been passed previously, and must include WILM 406, if 300-level course work in Conservation Biology has not been taken previously.
A candidate may be exempted from some of the required papers as prescribed in regulation 2(a) on the basis of previous study. A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management shall be exempted from those papers in the programme for the degree that have previously been passed for the diploma.
Duration of the Programme
A candidate shall follow a programme of study for not less than three semesters.
A candidate shall satisfy the requirements for the degree within six semesters of admission to the programme.
Withdrawal from the Programme
Where a candidate withdraws from the programme, whether voluntarily or otherwise, after completing some of the prescribed papers, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) may recommend award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management or determine which papers shall be credited towards the Diploma.
Examination of Research Report
The research report (WILM 501) shall be assessed by at least two examiners.
The candidate's placement supervisor shall not be an examiner.
Each examiner shall recommend a grade.
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study that does not comply with these regulations.
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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