Master of Science (Environment and Sustainability)
PostgraduateUSQ-SES-MAS2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 16
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Master of Science (Environment and Sustainability)
About this degree
On completion of the program, graduates should be able to:
- Integrate an advanced understanding of a complex body of expert knowledge in a discipline of science.
- Apply established research theories and principles associated with scholarship and/or professional practice within a relevant science discipline.
- Critically analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex expert information, problems, concepts and theories applicable to a relevant science discipline.
- Interpret and transmit expert knowledge, skills and ideas, both individually and collaboratively, to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Display autonomy, responsibility, adaptability and ethical practice in decision-making and engage in lifelong learning through critical reflection in a range of professional and cultural contexts.
- Modern environment and natural resource management requires the integration of social, environmental and economic research. It also requires a capacity to handle complexity and uncertainty and the application of different methods of analysis and different approaches to governance and community engagement. This coursework masters degree addresses these needs by providing important core studies and flexibility in choice of elective studies that will enhance their skills and knowledge in the broad discipline of environment and sustainability. Adaptation to climate change and sustainability science are emphasised in global and regional contexts in this specialisation.
Recommended study pattern
Year 1
CLI6001 Climate Risk
REN6101 Environment, Society and Sustainability
REN6202 Conservation for Sustainable Futures
CLI6205 Climate and Sustainability
SCI6103 Research Fundamentals & Ethics
STA6200 Statistics for Quantitative Researchers
2 x Electives
Year 2
LAW8713 Sustainable Environmental Governance
CLI6204 Global Environmental Systems
CLI6002 Climate Contexts for Planetary Health
REN6203 Sustainability Science
MSC6001 Research Project I
MSC6002 Research Project II
Award requirements
Completion of 16 units as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern section.Exit points
Graduate Certificate of Science (after successful completion of 4 approved courses). Graduate Diploma of Science (after successful completion of 8 approved courses).Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$8,380
Indicative total fee $16,760
The amounts shown here are 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.
As Australia’s #1 university for graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2022), University of Southern Queensland is the right place to make real progress. Regardless of your education history, your age or your aspirations, at UniSQ you’ll be inspired by quality learning experiences matched with top resources and research. Having delivered distance and online learning for over 40+ years, UniSQ supports you to learn at your own pace—exactly how it suits you.
Learn more about USQ.
Explore USQ courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 24
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 24
How to apply
University of Southern Queensland manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
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Entry requirements
- 3-year Bachelor degree from an Australian university or equivalent; or equivalent professional work experience, as determined through the Credit and Exemption procedure. Proof of meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements is also required.
- Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the UniSQ Credit and Exemption Procedure. Claims for credit for previous study should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with UniSQ policy.
Career opportunities
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