Master of Environmental Science
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Program Code
LMEV
SATAC Code
4CM163 (Internal)
4CM200 (Internal)
4CM223 (Internal)
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Mode
On-campus
Fees
$AU 36,500 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025
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View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements
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.
Degree overview
- SA’s number one university for research in environmental sciences.1
- Research rated well above world-class in environmental sciences and management.1
- Advanced development for environmental scientists and management.
- Gain integrated knowledge of sustainability and a 'one health' approach that seeks to balance and optimise the health of people, animals, plants and our shared environment.
- Develop skills in pollution, energy and natural resource management, and how to monitor and restore ecosystems.
- Understand the critical role that human dimensions play in planning and managing society’s demands on the planet, and the important lessons that can be learned from indigenous knowledge, such as in managing fire systems.
- Work alongside research and industry experts at the Future Industries Institute and UniSA STEM.
1 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
Snapshot
This master degree offers innovative, integrated studies in sustainability, natural resources, and geospatial sciences.
It provides the opportunity to pursue higher level study before entering the workforce. It also fulfils the formal continuing professional development needs of environmental scientists and managers already in the workforce.
UniSA 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.
This postgraduate qualification is offered as part of a suite of three programs (graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master). Each qualification extends to the next, so you can easily transition to a master level qualification. 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.
If you already have qualifications in a relevant discipline, you could be eligible for Advanced Standing and complete this degree in less than two years.
What you'll learn
You will explore the theory and practice of managing and sustaining our natural and built environment. You will also complete a Master Thesis. You will develop skills in:
- reflecting critically on theory and professional practice related to environmental science and management
- understand and incorporate new techniques into the solution of environmental science, management and sustainability issues
- investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information to solve complex environmental and sustainability issues facing the public, private, government and non-government sectors.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- written reports
- research proposals and assignments
- essays and examinations
- oral presentations
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Master of 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.
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
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the relevant SATAC code (see below) then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
You may be eligible for Advanced Standing and complete the requirements of this qualification in less than 2 years. Please see entry requirements for further details. When applying through SATAC, please refer to the codes below. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for Advanced Standing, please include more than one SATAC code in your list of application preferences.
- 2 years - SATAC CODE 4CM163
- 1.5 years - SATAC CODE 4CM223
- 1 year - SATAC CODE 4CM200
Scholarships
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.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal 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.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
You’ll have access to our world class laboratories and dedicated STEM facilities on Mawson Lakes campus. Fieldwork is also an important part of the program, so as part of your studies you can expect to go off campus to visit field sites around Adelaide and across South Australia.
Your program director
Craig is based in UniSA STEM, at the Mawson Lakes Campus. Craig’s research is focussed on the monitoring and managing the environmental impacts of energy and resources developments, but he also has an interest in the social aspects of developments and “Social Licence to Operate". Prior to joining UniSA in 2020, Craig was based in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences at University College London (UCL), where he remains an adjunct Reader. Before that, Craig worked for about five years in industry in Western Australia, designing and running large scale environmental monitoring programs for port developments such as the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects. Previous to this, Craig was a lecturer and taught marine ecology and statistics at Deakin University and before that was a U2000 Fellow at the University of Sydney (where he also taught marine ecology and experimental design/statistics). He also held an Australian Research Council funded post-doctoral research position at the University of Melbourne and while finishing his PhD worked as a senior fisheries biologist at the South Australian Research and Development Institute.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or 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. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
All of the teaching staff I have been involved with at UniSA have been fantastic. Each staff member is incredibly well-versed in their field and are always happy to take questions from students, including those that go beyond the scope of the course. This has really helped me to explore concepts beyond the face value provided by traditional teaching. Some of the courses I undertook involved field work, in particular my research project involved conducting a series of self-run experiments with field work components. Each of these opportunities have provided valuable experiences and skills that I will be able to use in my future employment. As a result, I was offered a graduate position with a private consulting company before even finishing my degree.
Sean Sparrow
Master of Environmental Science
Graduate Environmental Scientist | GHD
