Masters in Environmental Science in Australia

The Master of Environmental Science is a postgraduate coursework degree that develops your understanding of environmental problems and the solutions that can be applied to solve them. You will complete core units in environmental science, along with a choice of capstone units between integrated environmental practice unit or a research project. Additionally, you will complete eletive units in accordance with your interests as needed to make up the requirements of the course. 

The Master of Environment and Sustainability is a forward-thinking, interdisciplinary, two-year course that integrates the knowledge needed to mitigate and adapt to global change with sustainability principles. Central to its approach is an understanding of the scale of dependence of social, economic and environmental systems for effective environmental governance. Thus, the course focuses on developing a global change knowledge base and a diverse vocational skill set, and provides evidentiary and interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving.

You will choose one of five specialisations and have the opportunity to work in real-world contexts, combining theory and practice, to respond to local and international, corporate, government and social environmental concerns. As a graduate you will be strongly placed to provide strategic leadership in a wide range of settings, such as policy formulation, regulation, advice, management, extension and capacity building.

The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health provides an entry pathway into environmental health professional practice. Students are highly skilled to assess environmental health risks and combat a range of environmental challenges including climate change, pollution, and communicable diseases.

In an era of rapid change in our understanding of global environmental issues, expanding your expertise and updating your knowledge will empower you to anticipate and adapt to the challenges you will encounter working in the field.

UNE's Master of Environmental Science and Management is a flexibly delivered coursework program that is ideal if you hold an undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualifications in a related discipline and wish to advance your conceptual and scientific knowledge and practical skills. It will also allow you to pivot your career and develop expertise in environmental science and management if you hold a bachelor degree in an unrelated area.

With core units that focus on developing your applied research skills, you also have the opportunity to complete a research project alongside your coursework, working with research groups that rank among the world’s best. In the most recent independent assessment by the Australian Research Council, Excellence in Research Australia, we achieved outstanding results, with UNE’s environmental sciences research rated “well above world average”.

What makes our course different?

At UNE we are pioneers in environmental science and natural resources management. Our approach to environmental management recognises that fostering partnerships and diversity are key to addressing our current and future environmental challenges. Our master’s degree provides you with opportunities to:

• Study flexibly. Our online study options allow you balance study with your existing personal and professional commitments. We are experts in the delivery of online learning in environmental science, with modern technology that supports and optimises your learning experience.
• Choose the direction you wish to take. With electives spanning the breadth of the environmental science disciplines, you can tailor the course to your specialty and professional needs. If you wish to pursue higher degree research, our course can be a pathway to PhD study – choose to complete an elective research component and hone your applied research skills.
• Refine your applied field and laboratory skills in our state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. Practical classes and intensive schools on campus (mandatory for some units) equip you with the advanced technical competencies required in environmental science and natural resources management.
• Support innovation and help to improve outcomes in the communities we serve by completing the elective research component and participating in original research, with supervision from world-class environmental scientists.

By choosing UNE, you will be joining a faculty of over 900 staff and postgraduate students who work together to support your success. We’re highly rated. Year after year, students award UNE 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.

This is an approved Student Income Support course. You may be eligible to apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy if you are studying full-time.