Study for free*
Elevate your employability, change your career, or start your tertiary journey with a range of study opportunities.
At Lincoln University, we're committed to empowering people like you to reach new heights in your career. With a wide range of programmes available under the tuition fee waiver until the end of 2027, now is the perfect time to start your journey.
To qualify for this unique opportunity, you must be a domestic student (New Zealand citizens and permanent residents) residing in New Zealand at the time of study.
Elevate your career prospects and unlock your potential with Lincoln's tuition fee waiver study opportunities. Join us in shaping a brighter tomorrow—start your journey today!
Tuition fee waiver options
The programmes below are covered by the tuition fee waiver*. You’ll only need to cover course-related costs (such as buying textbooks) and the student services fee (although if you are studying one of our online programmes, this fee may be reduced).
Diploma Programmes
Postgraduate Programmes
- Postgraduate Certificates
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- Taught Master's
- Research Master's
- Pathway Certificate for MPA Entry
Please note that tuition fee waivers apply to the 120 taught credits of a Research Master's degree, not to the 120 research credits.
Exclusions to the tuition fee waiver option
- Master of Water Science Management (course enrolments at the University of Canterbury)
- Master of Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering
- CPA Australia membership and enrolment in CPA Australia exams are not covered as the fee waivers apply to Lincoln course enrolments only.
Limited tuition fee waiver programmes 2025
The number of tuition fee waiver places is limited to ensure Lincoln University can sustainably offer tuition fee waivers across all programmes.
Limits update | 8 April 2025
Limits have been met in Semester 2 for the following programmes:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce
- Master of Business Finance
- Master of Business (Global Management and Marketing)
Conditions of tuition fee waivers
From Semester 1, 2025 and onwards:
- Students who do not complete their enrolment by the last date to enrol, including payment of Student Services Fee, will forfeit their tuition fee waiver.
- Students who fail or withdraw from over 50% of their course load in a semester will lose eligibility for future tuition fee waivers.
- Students who withdraw from a programme after enrolment will forfeit their tuition fee waiver and any eligibility for future tuition fee waivers.
- Repeated deferrals or withdrawals of a tuition fee waiver application (more than twice) will result in the loss of future eligibility.
- Students are eligible for one tuition fee waiver for one tuition fee waiver qualification at each NZQF level.
- Tuition fee waivers apply only to the programme of admission.
*Terms and conditions
Offered subject to availability; terms and conditions including eligibility may change without notice.
*Eligibility
The tuition fee waiver is only available to domestic students (New Zealand citizens and permanent residents) residing in New Zealand at the time of study.
If you have a New Zealand resident’s visa you are eligible for a tuition fee waiver as long as you are admitted to one of the programmes listed for the tuition fee waiver and are residing in New Zealand while studying. You must supply a copy of your international passport and eVisa or visa label.
Postgraduate Fee waiver FAQs
To apply for a postgraduate qualification, you must meet specific entry criteria which may differ between programmes and levels of study. We recommend checking the level entry requirements, as well as the relevant programme webpage, prior to applying.
You’ll also be required to provide certain documents when submitting your application. These may include:
- A scanned copy of your birth certificate or passport (showing the same name that is on your academic documents)
- Academic documents or transcripts (results or mark sheets) for all tertiary education qualifications, either completed or partially completed
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae or resume
- Statement of Research Interest (for Research Masters)
- Two references (for Research Masters)
If you have a New Zealand resident visa you are eligible for a tuition fee waiver as long as you’re admitted to one of the programmes listed for the tuition fee waiver and live in New Zealand while studying. You must also supply a copy of your international passport and eVisa or visa label when you apply.
To access the fee waiver, you must be residing in New Zealand while studying. This includes if you are studying online.
If you’re a new student, please note that you’ll need to submit your study application before the relevant deadlines, depending on which semester you’re applying for. We recommend applying early and having the required documents ready.
See application dates and find more information on how to apply
Note: If you’re a current student looking to move to a higher level of study (such as from an undergraduate to a postgraduate programme), we highly recommend applying before the deadline, even if you’re waiting on results for your current qualification.
- Enrolments for the limited fee waiver programmes will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the application submission date.
- Students can only have one application under assessment at a time.
- Students will be given five working days to provide additional documents when requested.
- Current students who are waiting for results will be considered.
- Students already enrolled in a tuition fee waiver programme will continue to receive the tuition fee waiver for their current qualification.
- Students who have undertaken study under the tuition fee waiver programme, but who have taken a break from study before 16 December 2024, are eligible to complete the programme they started and continue to receive their tuition fee waiver.
- Students are eligible for one tuition fee waiver for one tuition fee waiver qualification at each NZQF level.
- Lincoln University will not maintain a waitlist for tuition fee waiver allocations.
- Deferral of an enrolment to a future date does not guarantee a tuition fee waiver.
For postgraduate study, you must provide required documents when submitting your application. These may include:
- A scanned copy of your birth certificate or passport (showing the same name that’s on your academic documents)
- Academic documents or transcripts (results or mark sheets) for all tertiary education qualifications, either completed or partially completed
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae or resume
- Statement of Research Interest (for Research Masters)
- Two references (for Research Masters)
Any delay in receiving documents may have an impact on processing your application. We strongly recommend checking the full entry requirements to ensure you have time to collect relevant information and documents before you apply.
If we’ve asked you to provide evidence of your identity, qualifications or residency status, please read these verification instructions carefully.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need provide evidence that you can participate fully in your study.
More information about what scores we require in approved English language tests
There may be other acceptable ways to meet our language requirements. An admissions staff member will discuss this with you when assessing your application.
If English isn’t your first language, please supply documentation along with your application. This may include evidence of an approved test taken less than 2 years ago, or a letter from an overseas institution confirming that the last qualification you studied (if less than 5 years ago) was taught in English.
Depending on the programme, part-time study may be available. This means you can spread the commitment needed for a full-time programme over a longer period.
This is a good option if you want to keep working as you study, have other commitments, or are caring for a family member or someone else.
Although it will take you longer to complete your degree (up to a maximum time limit), the courses you complete and the qualification you earn will be the same as for a full-time student.
If you choose part-time study, you’ll need to take between one and three courses per semester (up to 40 credits). Some programmes are specifically designed to be part-time.
To discuss part-time study options, please get in touch with the relevant faculty member listed on the programme web page.
Some of our programmes are available to study online, so you can learn and nurture your potential in a way that fits into your life. Flexible options mean you can study in your own time, at home, on campus, full- or part-time, and still enjoy the Lincoln experience through our connected support services.
Fully supported online programmes include:
- Diploma in Horticultural Business
- Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce
- Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management
- Master of Business (Global Management and Marketing)
- Master of Environmental Policy and Management
- Master of Tourism Management
- Master of Wine and Viticulture
- Master of Planning
- Master of Professional Accounting (CPA)
- Pathway Certificate for MPA Entry
Distance learning may be available for other postgraduate programmes. Please refer to the relevant programme page for further information.
If you’re working full-time, we recommend you plan to study part-time, especially if you’re returning to study after some time. The standard workload expectation is that for a 20 credit course you’ll need to commit to 200 hours of study over the period of the enrolment.
Many of our students choose to work part-time while studying, however this depends on each individual’s personal circumstances.
Some programmes require an industry placement which may limit your availability for work. To discuss this further, please get in touch with the relevant faculty member listed on the programme web page.
If you’re considering studying a postgraduate programme, you can expect approximately 15 - 18 hours of study per week, for each 20-credit course. Part of this will be teaching time and part will be self-driven study.
If you’ve studied at another tertiary institution, you may be able to transfer limited credit to a Lincoln qualification as long as you have not used the credit towards another qualification.
By transferring credits you can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a Lincoln University qualification.
If you wish to do this, you’ll need to provide sufficient evidence (documentation) with your application.
Once you have submitted your application, the Admissions Office will review your application as quickly as possible. Please submit all required documentation at the time of application and check your inbox for emails, including requests for outstanding documentation. You will be given 5 working days to provide additional documents when requested.
Timeframes vary so we ask for your patience and will contact you as soon as we can.
Lincoln University offers several courses in February (Semester One), July (Semester Two), and Summer Semesters in November and January. To find out when your courses are delivered, please refer to the programme web page, and select the relevant course. Alternatively, you can use the Course Search.
All students are required to pay the Student Services Fee and there may be additional course material costs, e.g. textbooks, depending on your programme.
Lincoln offers a range of research scholarships for postgraduate students. There are also external organisations like Crown Research Institutes and government agencies that offer funding assistance for thesis research.
Postgraduate study lets you pursue a chosen topic in even greater depth or specialise after you complete an undergraduate degree. Or, if you’re thinking of a career change, postgraduate study can add to your skills and take you in a new direction. Lincoln University offers the following postgraduate study options:
Postgraduate Certificates & Postgraduate Diplomas
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are an excellent way to build on the value of a Bachelor’s degree. You usually enter the programmes with a related degree, with at least a B- average in the 300 level and final year (or full-time equivalent course), then choose a specialisation to explore further. It’s also a perfect way to acquire skills and knowledge over and above those you acquired during your undergraduate degree.
A postgraduate certificate is a 60-credit qualification completed in one semester of full-time study (6 months) or studied part-time with no time limit. A postgraduate diploma is a 120-credit qualification completed in two semesters of full-time study (one year) or studied part-time with no time limit.
Check out the list of Postgraduate Certificates and Postgraduate Diplomas.
Taught Master's
Taught Master's degrees are designed to help students advance their knowledge, professional development and their career. A Taught Master's is 180 credits and completed full-time over three semesters (12-18 months) with part-time study options available.
Check out our Taught Master's programmes
Research Masters (Not part of the fee waiver)
Research Master's are perfect if you’re interested in research or building an academic career. In most cases you need to complete 240 credits, including 120 credits of taught courses and a thesis worth 120 credits, making up a total of two years of academic and research study. It’s also possible to complete a 120 credit research Master’s programme. After completing a Research Master’s programme, you can go on to apply for PhD study.
See a list of our Research Master’s programmes
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Not part of the fee waiver)
As a PhD student, you’ll belong to one of our faculties, be supported by committed staff and have the opportunity to work closely with academics, industry, iwi and government. Within an individually designed three-year research programme (not requiring course work) we help you reach new levels of thinking, study and research in an environment that challenges and rewards in many ways. You’ll work closely with your supervisory research team to identify your goals and monitor your progress, and you’ll have plenty of contact with industry experts and specialists in your area of study. You’ll also have access to a number of research centres, multiple farms and be able to join our PhD student network.
If you’re studying more than one course, you may be able to reduce the number of courses being studied by dropping a course. You can do this by logging in to LUCAS, clicking the Enrol tile and then the relevant tab.
If you are only enrolled in one course, or are wanting to withdraw from study completely, it is important to complete the withdrawal form and send it to withdraw@lincoln.ac.nz
If you withdraw before the deadline (check the key dates here) the course/s will be removed from your record and you may be eligible for a refund of any fees paid. Withdrawing after the deadline is possible up until the last day of the teaching period. In this case, grades of WDN (withdrawn) will be automatically assigned and no refund will apply.
If you decide to withdraw from a programme after enrolment you will forfeit your fee waiver and any eligibility for future tuition fee waivers.
Need advice?
We have friendly advisors who can tell you more about Lincoln University and help you select the qualification that suits you best.