Master of Environmental Science

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to have a completed Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate, or a Graduate Diploma in a relevant discipline from a recognised higher education institution. Relevant disciplines for entry typically include science, engineering, environmental studies and environmental management.

Applicants with qualifications in other disciplines are encouraged to apply and will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree or Graduate Diploma in a relevant discipline may be eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.5 years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree or Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies may be eligible for 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

Relevant disciplines for advanced standing typically include Environmental Management; Civil and Environmental Management; or Natural Resource Management. Applicants with qualifications in other disciplines are encouraged to apply and will be assessed on a case by case basis.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.5 (with 6.0 in Reading and Writing); TOEFL iBT score of 79 with Reading and Writing not less than 18; TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) score of 577 with TWE of 4.5; Cambridge CAE/CPE score of 177; Pearson's test of English (Academic) (PTE) score of 58 with Reading and Writing communicative scores not less than 50; CELUSA score of AE5.

Course Details

This master degree offers innovative, integrated studies in sustainability and a 'one health' approach to managing humanity's footprint on the planet.

It provides the opportunity to pursue higher level study before entering the workforce. It also offers continuing professional development to suit the needs of environmental scientists and managers already in the workforce.

The University of South Australia’s environmental studies programs have been developed in response to industry demand. They are designed to meet the increasingly diverse responsibilities and challenges faced by managers, and the growing demand for skilled resource management practitioners. Courses are delivered by our highly qualified lecturers, and by industry practitioners from various government departments and private enterprise.

If you decide to exit this degree having completed the first four courses, you will receive the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science. If you have completed the first eight courses, you will receive the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science.

Postgraduate studies in environmental science will suit you if you are already working in natural resource management or environmental science and want to broaden your skills and knowledge. They are also ideal if you have a related undergraduate degree (such as engineering) and want to move into sustainable management.

You will develop skills across a broad spectrum of environmental science, and gain strong knowledge of the research techniques and processes needed to complete a major research project closely aligned with industry.

Career outcomes

Your career

This degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to take a leadership role in the sustainability and environmental sector. You could be employed by:

federal and state government departments and agencies
local authority departments and agencies
large private sector industries (e.g. mining, renewable energy, finance)
small and medium enterprises (e.g. restoration, pastoral, planning, tourism)
engineering and environmental consulting companies
non-government organisations (there are many aid and welfare organisations operating sustainability initiatives in developing countries)

Careers to consider:

natural resource manager: protecting and managing wildlife, trees, plants, soil and water; focusing on the issues linked to healthy ecosystems combined with human interaction such as habitation, economic resource extraction and recreation, and the complexities of climate change adaptation
environmental health manager: overseeing the environmental performance of private and public sector organisations; developing, implementing and monitoring environmental strategies that promote sustainable development; advising organisations on minimisation of their environmental impact