🌾Lincoln University

Christchurch, New Zealand

New Zealand's specialist land-based university — agriculture, viticulture and environmental science.

About Lincoln

Lincoln is New Zealand's only exclusively land-based university, focused on agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and environmental science since 1878. Its location in Canterbury, at the heart of New Zealand's agricultural export industry, gives students direct access to real farms, vineyards and research stations as part of their degree.

Why students choose it

  • New Zealand's only specialist land-based university
  • Direct access to working farms, vineyards and research stations
  • Deep ties to New Zealand's agricultural export industry

🎓 Free application support for Lincoln

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Lincoln — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

📝 Already decided? Apply now — it's free

Typical entry grades

ABB (A Level)  ·  IB 27

Solid tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

NZ$28,000–NZ$35,000/yr

mid tier for New Zealand — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Christchurch

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Lincoln's financial aid office.

New Zealand universities commonly offer international excellence scholarships tied to entry grades, alongside a small number of government-funded scholarships mostly aimed at postgraduate or partner-country applicants.

  • University international excellence scholarships: Offered by most of the eight universities (e.g. Auckland, Otago) — merit-based, for strong A-Level/IB/IGCSE-pathway results, usually a fixed award rather than a full-ride.
  • New Zealand Scholarships (government): Mostly postgraduate or restricted to specific partner countries under bilateral agreements — check eligibility carefully before assuming it applies.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Agriculture

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Environmental Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Landscape Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

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Typical entry: Portfolio

Viticulture and Oenology

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Commerce

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Durations are typical for New Zealand — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2)
Typical deadline
Early December for the February intake

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Lincoln ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free New Zealand University Shortlist Builder to see whether Lincoln is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other New Zealand university that matches.

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Lincoln FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Lincoln as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Lincoln?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Lincoln expects around ABB at A Level or 27 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Lincoln's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Lincoln's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Lincoln cost for international students?

International tuition at Lincoln typically falls in the NZ$28,000–NZ$35,000/yr range (mid tier for New Zealand). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Lincoln's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Lincoln?

Lincoln follows New Zealand's typical intake calendar: February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2), with applications generally due early december for the february intake. Always verify the exact date on Lincoln's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Lincoln?

New Zealand universities, including Lincoln, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Lincoln known for?

New Zealand's specialist land-based university — agriculture, viticulture and environmental science. Lincoln is New Zealand's only exclusively land-based university, focused on agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and environmental science since 1878. Its location in Canterbury, at the heart of New Zealand's agricultural export industry, gives students direct access to real farms, vineyards and research stations as part of their degree.

Can I apply to Lincoln with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Lincoln accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free New Zealand University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Lincoln and every other New Zealand university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to Lincoln? Get free application support.

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