Bachelor of Environmental Science
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2021
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2021
Program Code
LBVT
SATAC Code
434921 (Internal)
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Admissions
Student Profile
Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 60.00 (for 2020)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 70.00 (for 2021)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
1 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
If you have genuine concern for the environment and a commitment to sustainability, a degree in Environmental Science can help to launch your career.
In this degree you will address today’s scientific issues and explore how humans interact with the environment, how we can manage it best, and how we can better influence positive attitudes.
You will do hands-on field work in the natural environment as you learn biology, soil science, ecology, conservation, chemistry and geology. Field work can range from exploring the campus to visiting Hallett Cove, Robe, the Flinders Ranges or even Fiji.
Your learning will cover ecology, geography, earth science, soil science, environmental quality, ecotourism and social sciences. To develop strong skills in an area that interests you, you will study a major in Ecology and Conservation or Environmental Quality and Earth Sciences. All students will also obtain minors in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Community Engagement.
Through Project LIVE, we’ll provide you with access to cutting-edge digital imagery from your own local environments and further afield, along with tools to process and evaluate this data to critically assess its meaning. From aerial imagery of erosion patterns along the South Australian coastline and ancient landforms in central Australia, to infra-red surveys of vegetation health in Barossa Valley vineyards and satellite monitoring of ice sheet stability in Antarctica, this imagery will give you hands on experience in data creation and manipulation and help you become familiar with the latest digital imaging, mapping and spatial analysis techniques.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Bringing about real change in the way society interacts with the environment requires not only knowledge, but the ability to encourage community participation and coordinate community activities.
Your studies will involve in-depth examinations in biological, earth and social sciences. You will master the fundamental skills of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and develop your problem-solving skills on the many field trips offered throughout the degree. We actively encourage our students to do work experience during their studies. You will have opportunities to develop professional connections, and participate in field studies interstate and internationally.
Through Project LIVE, a learning approach that combines virtual and augmented reality, you will experience field trips in an entirely new way. In this unique environment, you’ll access 3D drone photogrammetry, gigapixel photography, 360-degree panoramic photos and videos, and virtual reality headsets to analyse imagery and data relevant to your studies in environmental and/or geospatial sciences.
This degree has a highly supportive learning environment, with dedicated, internationally experienced staff. Our world-class facilities at Mawson Lakes – such as the multi-million dollar Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub – offer an inspiring environment for collaborative learning, innovation, sustainability and excellence.
With two more years of full time study (or 1.5 years with accelerated mode), you could use this degree to become a secondary school science teacher.
Kiara Sparks talks about her experience studying UniSA's Bachelor of Environmental Science which allowed her to explore the world, both on field trips and using immersive on-campus facilities.
Employment prospects for environmental scientists is expected to increase by 11.3 percent by May 2023.1
Careers to consider:
1 Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, Occupational Employment Projections 2018
Applying to study with us:
There are a wide variety of pathways into studying Geospatial and Environmental Science at UniSA, including the Diploma in Science and the Environment.
Find an alternative entry pathway.
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets should you need, from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages or explore our student accommodation by urbanest on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
You will have access to our multi-million dollar Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub at the Mawson Lakes campus. The $50 million facility supports our world-class research in minerals and materials science. It’s a place that blends teaching and research environments, making you part of a vibrant learning community.
You'll also be exposed to virtual environments through Project LIVE a purpose built facility that will help you immerse yourself in different environments without leaving the campus. From this facility you’ll have access to 3D drone photogrammetry, gigapixel photography, 360-degree panoramic photos and videos, and virtual reality headsets to analyse imagery and data relevant to your studies in environmental and/or geospatial sciences.
I am a geologist and geochemist. I am particularly interested in how mountains form in the centre of tectonic plates, how fluids control the strength of rocks and trigger earthquakes, and how some of the hottest rocks in the world are distributed through southern Australia. I am proud to have been chosen as one of ABC Radio National and UNSW's "Top 5 Under 40" for 2017. As part of this honour, I will have a short residency at the ABC studios in Sydney where I can share my research and my passion for science via the media.
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.
Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.