Bachelor of Arts (Sustainable Development)
UndergraduateMUR-ASD-DEG2024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Help communities to help themselves
Assess environmental, economic and community needs by examining sustainability transition, overseas aid, resource access and climate change. Integrate theory and practice for employment with NGOs, governments and the resources sector.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts (Sustainable Development)
About this degree
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- Demonstrate substantive knowledge of the history and evolution of sustainable development thinking and practice.
- Develop and manage sustainable development projects of increasing complexity, working both independently and collaboratively.
- Construct compelling arguments that support change-making for sustainability.
- Formulate clear and persuasive written and spoken communication for community and professional audiences, using a range of appropriate styles and formats.
- Engage with complex and often controversial sustainability issues in ways that are respectful, collaborative, ethical, and interdisciplinary.
- Apply a wide range of sustainable development principles and practices at the local, regional and global levels.
This course aims to train the next generation of sustainability leaders for world-changing work in Australia and overseas. Students explore the environmental, economic, social and cultural dimensions of sustainability, and develop a wide range of much-needed green skills. Areas covered include urban and rural sustainability, sustainability ethics and economics, and sustainable lifestyles and behaviour change. The emphasis is on giving students the sustainability expertise needed to ‘make a difference’ within communities and regions and at the global level.
Recommended study pattern
To get the most from this degree, students are recommended to follow these steps:
LEVEL 1
- ART100 Communication and Persuasion (3cp) - required
- Choose 1 of these core subjects:
- ART101 Coming into Community (6cp) OR
- IND101 Indonesia 1 (3cp) OR
- ART200 The Power of Perfect Text: Writing for Professional Contexts (3cp) OR
- ART208 Presenting in Public: Writing and Performing for Professional Contexts (3cp) OR
- MSP202 The Search for Everything: Data Analytics and Storytelling in the Twenty-First Century (3cp)
- SUS100 Introduction to Sustainable Development (3cp) - required
- COD125 Introduction to Community Development (3cp) - required
- Complete at least 3 subjects (9cp) of Level 1 General Electives from any OUA subject.
LEVEL 2
- Choose 1 of these core subjects NOT completed at Level 1: (PLEASE NOTE: If you have completed ART101 in Level 1, you don’t have to enrol in any subject from this list in Level 2 as ART101 is a 6-credit point subject.)
- IND101 Indonesia 1 (3cp) OR
- ART200 The Power of Perfect Text: Writing for Professional Contexts (3cp) OR
- ART208 Presenting in Public: Writing and Performing for Professional Contexts (3cp) OR
- MSP202 The Search for Everything: Data Analytics and Storytelling in the Twenty-First Century (3cp)
- SUS203 Sustainability, Ecology and Communities (3cp) - required
- SUS207 Overseas Aid and International Development (3cp) - required
- ENV245 Global and Regional Sustainability (3cp) - required
- Complete at least 3 subjects (9cp) of Level 2 or 3 General Electives from any OUA subject.
LEVEL 3
- SUS301 Resilient Regions: Sustainability in Practice (3cp) - required
- SUS305 Economics of Sustainability (3cp) - required
- SUS310 Sustainable Urban Communities (3cp) - required
- Choose 1 of the core subjects below:
- ART300 Industry Project: Real-world partnership and project design (3cp) OR
- ART303 Research Project (3cp) OR
- ART325 Internship (3cp) OR
- COD303 Preparing for Professional Community Practice (3cp)
- Complete 4 subjects (12cp) of Level 2 or 3 General Electives from any OUA subject.
Award requirements
To qualify for the Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts (Community Development) students must complete 72 credit points (24 subjects). This degree is structured around the following key elements:
- Required Degree Subjects (Core) 12 credit points.
- Required Major Subjects (Major) 24 credit points.
- General Elective Subjects (Options) 36 credit points.
Degree Structures
Murdoch’s degree structures combine all the required elements to make a student knowledgeable, experienced, confident and successful within a chosen career. Each level of an undergraduate degree requires 24 credit points, the equivalent of a year of full-time study.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Options (General Electives) – 12 subjects (36 credit points)
The number of electives undertaken at each level varies depending on selection of core electives.
- Complete at least 3 subjects (9 credit points) of Level 1 General Electives from any OUA subjects
- Complete 9 subjects (27 credit points) of Level 2 points or 3 General Electives from any OUA subjects.
Murdoch University electives available include:
- POL102 21st-Century Security Challenges
- POL298 International Political Economy
- POL203 Sustainability, Ecology and Communities
- POL304 Security Challenges in Policy and Practice
- SOC300 The Age of Global Mobility
- HIS102 The Rise and Fall of the West: Imperialism and Post-Imperialism since 1776
- HIS182 The Making of the Modern World
- HIS207 The Silk Roads: Asia, Europe and the First Era of Globalisation, 1200 - 1600
- HIS208 Australian Political History
- HIS209 The Caesars: The Rise and 'Fall' of the Roman Empire
- HIS211 Modern Japan
- HIS313 Rebellion in World History
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
This program has undergone a major structure change in 2023, , and additional changes in 2024.
The Arts courses at Murdoch are being reformed under a vision for future-facing program design, improved reputation and impact, increased staff and student engagement, and economic sustainability.
As approved changes to core units include increasing the number of options, students will not be disadvantaged. Any student who has started studying prior to 2024 will have existing core/spine units credited.
Please refer to this Course Requirements (PDF) document for more information.
Contact:
Academic Chair for Sustainable Development major:
Mr Allan Johnstone - A.Johnstone@murdoch.edu.au / Tel: +61 8 93606278
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $45,250
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.
Learn more about Murdoch University.
Explore Murdoch courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 27
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 26
Entry requirements
Transferring from another degree or university
If you have successfully completed university studies equivalent to at least 2 subjects (6 Murdoch credit points) you can apply to transfer to Murdoch University using your previous studies.
For all other minimum entry requirements and pathways, please refer to the course you are interested in on https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/CoursesSearch.
Successful completion of 2 subjects at Open Universities Australia (OUA), or an Australian University.
School leavers gain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) from four degree subjects completed during Year 12, or OP (Overall Positions) in Queensland.
To apply to Murdoch University after Year 12, you must achieve English competency and have achieved your WA Certificate of Education (WACE) or its interstate equivalent along with the ATAR (or OP) relevant for your chosen degree.
An ATAR of 70.00 or higher (or a Queensland Overall Position of 14 or less) is required for admission to a Commonwealth Support Place in this degree.
If you have successfully completed a Certificate IV or higher you can apply for admission into a Commonwealth Support Place.
At Murdoch University, we value diverse abilities and motivations. If you’re a domestic student without a selection rank of 70 through ATAR, IB scores, AQF qualifications, or enabling programs, our Experience-Based Entry might be for you. This pathway considers your academic, vocational, and life achievements, including employment, volunteering, work experience, sports coaching, and leadership roles. Further information including the point calculation, document requirements, and the application form can be found at here: Experienced based entry.
Other Entry Options:
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT): A national test for mature age students assessing aptitude for tertiary learning. Minimum scores: 140 in Written English and 135 in Qualitative or Multiple-Choice sections.
- Completed Secondary Education: If completed more than two years ago.
- Enabling Programs:
- STAT Preparation Course: Complete the course and sit the STAT.
- Murdoch University OnTrack Flex: Successfully complete this program to apply for a Commonwealth Support Place.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre
- International Students - How to Apply
- For further admission information about this degree, please refer to Murdoch Admission Information - Arts
To demonstrate English language competency you will need a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR English, Literature or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD). Or equivalent of an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.
Find out if you are eligible and apply at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Study method requirements
Proof of citizenship is not required for admission; however, it is required for access to Higher Education Loan Programs (HELP). Please upload a scanned copy of your birth certificate or Australian passport or citizenship certificate along with your application.
Career opportunities
There are increasing employment opportunities for graduates who are knowledgeable, skilled and passionate about sustainable development, at federal, state and local government, in non-government organisations, international agencies, corporations, local business and the media.
Professional recognition
Learn how to turn your passion for sustainability into a rewarding career where you can make a difference within communities and regions, in Australia and overseas.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Environmental Managers | Over $120K | N/A^ |
Policy Analysts | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
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Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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