This degree is closed to new applications. You may be interested in other courses in Sustainability
Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Living
UndergraduateTAS-SUS-CTF2024
Help reduce our impact on the planet
Explore sustainability within economic, social and ecological contexts. Learn how to promote green solutions in the community and the workplace. Choose from electives that cover gardening skills, climate change, sustainable design and more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Living
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Compare and contrast divergent perspectives and knowledges of sustainability by reflecting on local sustainability solutions
- Explain how contemporary sustainability approaches can augment day-to-day behaviours and activities of individuals, organisations and communities
As the global human population grows, increasing pressure is placed on the natural world. Humans are altering the world’s climate and natural systems in an unprecedented manner. Living in a way that supports all life on Earth, now and into the future, is a complex challenge that is increasingly in the forefront of our minds. From local to global, we can all contribute to living more sustainably.
This Certificate in Sustainable Living will provide students with foundational skills and knowledge in sustainability that can be applied to local, national and global contexts. It aims to link students’ lived experience as an individual, consumer or citizen with learning for sustainability at regional, national and global scales.
All students study an introductory subject on sustainability to provide a foundation to their study in the discipline, and three elective subjects that integrate their learning to build literacy of sustainability at a geopolitical level. The Certificate also provides the required foundation from which to progress to the Diploma of Sustainable Living, for those interested in undertaking further study in this area.
Recommended study pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended.
Completion of 4 core subjects from the schedule below:
- 1 core subject
- TAS-HEJ111 Communicating Sustainability
- 3 of the following electives:
- TAS-CZZ104 Living and Working with Cultural Diversity
- TAS-KDA101 Introduction to Sustainable Design for Houses
- TAS-KDA102 Sustainable Design for Houses and Landscapes
- TAS-KGA104 Introduction to the Science of Climate Change
- TAS-KGA105 Responding to Climate Change
- TAS-KPZ001 Science of Gardening
- TAS-KPZ003 Science of Gardening 2
- TAS-KPZ006 Backyard Biodiversity
- TAS-KPZ104 Living with Fire
- TAS-KSM002 Science of Fishing 1
- TAS-KLA103 Global Food Security
- TAS-KEA104 Humans: Earth Shapers
- TAS-ZAS118 Sustainability
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 4 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 0.5-1 year from commencement.
- 1 core subject
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.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $5,400
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.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 19
Entry requirements
Completed at least one undergraduate subject (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points).
Successful completion of one OUA open access subject of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Completed the TCE (or equivalent).
Successful completion of Certificate III or higher.
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
Upon completing your Undergraduate Certificate of Sustainable Living, you will possess new skills, outlooks on living, and a deeper understanding of sustainability in an ever changing world which will complement your existing career direction.
Careers relating to Sustainable Living are also growing across many industries. If you wish to continue your studies towards a career in sustainability. the Diploma of Sustainable Living is available to help you further your skills and knowledge, further customising your learning journey towards a sustainability path that aligns with your interests.
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.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.