Today, the university is a close-knit community of about 3,000 students, supported by a dedicated team of academics, lecturers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and recognized experts. As the needs of students evolve in a changing world, so too do the university’s team and campus.

Why choose Lincoln University

• • • The university is ranked among the Top 400 universities worldwide, the Top 100 in agriculture and forestry, and the Top 15 small universities (QS World University Rankings).
    • Strengthening its global position, Lincoln University is a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) and the Global Challenges University Alliance. ELLS is an exclusive network of seven leading European universities established to foster educational cooperation in fields such as agricultural, food, and environmental sciences; environmental engineering; natural resource management; landscape architecture; and spatial planning.
    • Many of the university’s programs include practical work placements, preparing students for a successful career start and offering valuable experience in a New Zealand company — a significant advantage when applying for jobs in New Zealand.
      More details about work in New Zealand read in the Job section.

Lincoln University’s vision is to be among the world’s top five agricultural universities, unlocking the power of the land to enhance lives and shape the future. 

Core values of the university

1. Students
   The heart of the university and the reason it exists and grows.
2. Leadership
   The university and its team take responsibilities as leaders at all levels.
3. Innovation
   Promoting creativity through collaboration and partnerships.
4. Integrity
   Striving to do the right things in most reliable ways.

Each of these values is supported by a set of guiding behaviors that embody the university’s spirit, character, and culture.

Lincoln University’s campus

The university’s modern campus stretches across a large area and is fully equipped to support immersive learning, maintain student motivation and well-being, and foster an active student life. All university facilities — including the extensive library, state-of-the-art IT laboratories, cafés, world-class sports facilities, and a fully equipped fitness center — are complemented by forward-looking online learning resources.

Staying active is essential for physical and mental well-being. All students receive membership to the world-class LU Gym as part of their student fees. The center is open to both staff and students and includes a fully equipped gym, boxing facilities, a range of group fitness programs, and opportunities for personal training.

Lincoln University also offers a wide range of sports clubs and group activities for staff, students, and the local community — including badminton, boxing, group fitness, football, futsal, hockey, squash, tennis, and volleyball.

Add to that modern lecture halls, a well-equipped library, and self-study rooms. Naturally, there is free and unlimited Wi-Fi across campus, so you can study and stay connected with friends and family whenever you wish.

Te Kete Ika is the official name of the university’s dining center. It houses the main dining hall, the on-campus café and bar Mrs O’s, as well as the espresso bar Grounded, located in the large student common area.

There is even an early childhood education center on campus, where your child can be cared for while you attend classes. The center serves students, staff, and other organizations based in the Lincoln area.

You can view the full campus map on the university’s website.

The town of Lincoln and its surroundings

The university is located in the town of Lincoln, in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. The town has a population of just 9,180 people (as of June 2022), making it the second-largest town in the district.

It’s a very friendly community with a great selection of eateries, cafés, pubs, and shops. There are also local artisan and farmers’ markets where you can buy fresh local produce.

Culturally, Lincoln is proud to be a student town, and every semester the university brings around 4,000 additional people to the area. Local businesses do everything possible to make students feel welcome.

Surroundings

Less than 30 minutes’ drive from Lincoln is Christchurch, one of the world’s leading eco-friendly cities, often called the “Garden City.” Here you’ll find a vibrant nightlife, a lively downtown, and plenty of events — the perfect environment for students to relax and recharge.

We have a Christchurch overview video, you can also watch it on our  YouTube channel Kiwi Education.

Christchurch, New Zealand

If you love shopping, Christchurch offers an enticing range of boutiques, along with an ever-expanding selection of restaurants, cafés, bars, and clubs. The Riverside Market is a bustling spot filled with farmers’ produce and local food stalls.

For those who prefer an active lifestyle, Christchurch offers numerous sports facilities and clubs. The nearby Christchurch Adventure Park features chairlifts, ziplines, and cycling trails.

The Canterbury region itself offers an incredible diversity of landscapes — from rolling farmland and rivers to snow-capped mountains. The Canterbury Plains stretch between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Southern Alps. If you enjoy winter sports, you’ll be spoiled for choice: Canterbury boasts at least 15 ski and snowboard fields, with nearly 50 lifts, the closest being less than two hours from the Lincoln campus.

This beautiful and scenic region offers an endless array of things to see and do.

Student accommodation at Lincoln University

The university offers a variety of fully equipped and self-catered housing options.

On-Campus Accommodation

There’s nothing quite like living in a friendly student community that supports your success — and that’s exactly what you’ll find in Lincoln’s on-campus residences. Living on campus comes with many advantages:

• A Home Away from Home
  You’ll become part of a close-knit community of around 600 like-minded students, giving you the opportunity to make lifelong friends. Living on campus places you at the heart of university life, close to everything you need — friends, food, gyms, shops, bars, cafés, and of course, your lectures! It’s a great way to start your university journey.
• Social Life
  When you live on campus, there’s always someone around to help. Each residence has at least one Resident Assistant (RA) living alongside you — experienced Lincoln students ready to support you with study advice or personal matters.
• Well-being
  Gyms, pastoral care services, and the student health center are all just a few minutes’ walk away. Your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being are always within reach.

Types of accommodation

The university has seven fully catered residence halls, all centrally located. Each hall offers free unlimited Wi-Fi, social areas, and SKY TV.

First-year students usually live in catered halls, while older students tend to live in self-catered apartments. However, everyone is welcome in the fully catered halls.

The cost of living in a fully catered student hostel ranges from NZ$13,000 to NZ$17,000 per year.

You can view photos of each residence hall separately on the university’s website.

Apartments

There are two options for self-catered apartments on campus, including new apartments with ensuite bathrooms.

Apartments are ideal for second-year and senior students as they offer independent living. Like residence halls, they have resident assistants, organized activities, security, and support when needed.

Apartment reviews are also available on the website.

Houses

A limited number of on-campus houses are available, ranging from two to four bedrooms. They are ideal for students with families but are in high demand. To inquire about the possibility of living in a house, you need to contact the university’s accommodation service.

Student Support Service

Leaving your home country to study at a foreign university is a huge step. It’s completely normal to feel a bit confused or lost when you arrive. Lincoln understands what you’re going through, which is why there is a dedicated Student Service, offering a range of specialized support for international students on campus.

• The team is ready to help you with questions related to health insurance, graduation, internships, and exams.
• A full range of medical and support services is also available on campus.
• Learning, Teaching, and Library
  The LTL team can help you get the most out of your learning experience and access an extensive collection of online and printed resources.
• Careers and Employment Advice
  Sometimes it can be difficult to choose the right career path. Experienced advisors and a wide range of resources can help you make an informed decision. Lincoln students and graduates have access to Lincoln Careerhub, a website that provides information about the graduate job market, internships, graduate programs, scholarships, upcoming job vacancies, and employer events.
  In addition, several recruitment events are held throughout the year on campus, offering opportunities for networking and employer talks.

Main Specializations at Lincoln University

• Environmental Science (Sustainability)
  This field provides the skills and knowledge to tackle key challenges in the sustainable use of natural resources such as soil, water, land, and air.
• Agriculture / Agricultural Science
  These courses cover the core principles of modern agricultural systems in New Zealand and worldwide. Undergraduate programs include interdisciplinary courses with plenty of lab work and field trips. A strong focus on practical experience deepens understanding of the lecture material.
• Agribusiness
  With a growing global population and limited resources, smarter approaches to food production and marketing are essential. Lincoln’s agribusiness courses provide applied knowledge of key business concepts.

• Landscape Architecture
  Learn to use digital tools for landscape design and study visual communication, design history and culture, earth sciences, and ecology. The university has an international reputation for excellence in this field and is home to the country’s oldest landscape architecture faculty.
• Sports Management
  Study professional concepts in sport and recreation, management and marketing principles, and explore public policy in this field.
• Tourism Management
  Gain comprehensive knowledge of the tourism industry, including international, national, and regional tourism, as well as key issues in development and management.

• Food and Wine
  Study the latest ideas and knowledge in food science—from ingredients, processing, and engineering to new product development. You’ll also explore the basics of winemaking and wine science, including plant disease management, biometrics, and wine chemistry.
• Environmental Management
  Develop the skills needed to address the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and freshwater quality. The program covers physical and social sciences, explores the connections between environmental, social, economic, and cultural issues, and prepares you to solve urgent global and local environmental challenges in various fields.
• Indigenous Studies
  Study the Indigenous Peoples of New Zealand — the Māori.

Available Study Programs at Lincoln University

The university offers 108 programs at various levels and in different specializations. Here are some examples:

• Graduate Certificate
  Graduate Certificate in Applied Science
  Graduate Certificate in Business and Sustainability
  Graduate Certificate in Commerce
  Graduate Certificate in Resource Studies
  Graduate Certificate in Tourism Management
• Graduate Diploma
  Graduate Diploma in Property Management
  Graduate Diploma in Recreation Management
  Graduate Diploma in Valuation
  Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology 
• Postgraduate Certificate
  Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce
  Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management
  Postgraduate Certificate in Land and Society
  Postgraduate Certificate in Parks, Recreation and Tourism 
• Honors
  Bachelor of Science with Honours
  Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management with Honours
  Bachelor of Tourism Management with Honours

  • Taught / Research Master’s

    Master of Applied Science – Parks, Recreation and Tourism

    Master of Commerce (Agricultural) / Master of Commerce and Management

    Master of Horticultural Science

    Master of International Nature Conservation

    Master of Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering

    Master of Science / Master of Science – Plant Breeding

    Master of Water Resource Management 
• PhD
  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 

A full list of study programs is available on the university’s website, where you can use filters to find the program level that suits you.
However, to choose the program that best fits your goals and background, you can contact the Kiwi Education study experts.

Entry Requirements

Lincoln University offers programs from certificate to doctoral level. Entry requirements vary depending on the program you wish to study. Detailed admission criteria for each program are available on the university’s official website.

Some programs have specific requirements, so it is best to check the relevant program section to find the one that interests you.

Alternatively, you can always contact Kiwi Education for guidance. Our education consultants will help you with all questions — just fill out the form below, and we will get in touch with you.

Book consultation

English Language Requirements 

Before you can start your tuition, you must comply with a certain level of English proficiency. Different programs have different requirements. There are several alternative test, which are also accepted by the university, including some inner courses. We’ll tell about it next.

EAP English Courses at Lincoln University

If you need to improve your English before starting your studies, the university offers EAP (English for Academic Purposes) courses.

The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course prepares you for successful study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. If you complete this course, you will not need to take additional English proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The course is also available online, so you can complete the program from abroad via Zoom.

This program provides you with the essential skills needed for future study or a professional career. The course covers:

• Reading academic books and journals
• Writing formal reports and research essays
• Learning academic vocabulary
• Using library resources effectively
• Presenting academic seminars and papers

The program is structured into 4-week modules. You must complete at least 12 weeks (three 4-week modules). Depending on your English level, you can enroll for up to 24 weeks.

The University provides discounts for the academic programme

Students who successfully complete the course and continue on to an academic program are eligible for special tuition discounts from the university.

2026 International Tuition Fees

Scholarships in Lincoln University

Lincoln University scholarships for international students are awarded based on academic merit. These scholarships cover part of the tuition fees for the first year of study.

Conclusion

Lincoln University is truly unique and unmatched in the agricultural field in New Zealand.
Its comfortable campus, equipped with everything students need, along with the opportunity to improve your English through preparatory courses before starting your program, creates the feeling that everything has already been taken care of.

The small-town setting encourages full immersion in student life, while the proximity to Christchurch and the region’s natural attractions makes the location even more appealing for international students.

Take a walk around the university through the online campus tour — Lincoln University’s doors are open for you!

Fill out our short form to start choosing a Lincoln University program tailored to your goals.
We’ll be happy to help you prepare for admission and apply for your New Zealand student visa!