Handbook

Overview

Today’s environmental leaders are called upon to understand and to tend to not only the ecological dimensions of environmental issues but also their social, cultural, and structural drivers and impacts. The Master’s program prepares our graduates to think in transformative ways and to become reflexive leaders, change-agents, and advocates at local and global scales. You will rigorously, critically, and creatively engage with sociocultural and political-economic causes of, and responses to, today’s human-inclusive environmental challenges. In addition to the program’s key focus on conceptual tools, you will have the opportunity to develop an array of experiential and practical tools to inform ethical and restorative sustainability leadership in professional and change-making contexts. The program is structured around a transdisciplinary integration and bridging of social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, creative arts, and participatory community and place-based approaches. The experience of moving among diverse knowledge systems empowers you to communicate complex ideas, to nurture personal and collective societal capacities to rethink and reshape the world, and to partner with others in reparative and regenerative ways. With its flexible format, the program is suitable for people from a wide range of disciplines, including both environmental specialists and newcomers, seeking to develop the expertise and courage needed in environmental and societal healing and flourishing.

This program is primarily taught in Face-to-Face/Blended mode; with the exception of optional field-based courses, the program can also be completed via Distance.

Program Structure

Students must complete 96 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

48 UOC specialisation (ENVPXS)

Core Courses (18 UOC)
Disciplinary Knowledge Courses (at least 24 UOC)
Prescribed Elective Course (up to 6 UOC)

72 UOC specialisation (ENVPYS)

Core Courses (18 UOC)
Disciplinary Knowledge Courses (at least 42 UOC)
Prescribed Elective Course (up to 12 UOC)

96 UOC specialisation (ENVPZS)

Core Courses (18 UOC)
Disciplinary Knowledge Courses (at least 54 UOC)
Prescribed Elective Courses (up to 24 UOC)

Specialisation Requirements

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

1 year (48 UOC) program (Stream A)

One of the following:

An honours degree or graduate diploma (or equivalent/higher qualification) in a related field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65)
A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a related field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65), plus one year relevant professional experience

Students in this stream will receive 48 UOC in advanced standing upon entry to the program, and will complete a 1 year (48 UOC) program of study.

1.7 year (72 UOC) program (Stream B)

One of the following:

A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a related field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65)
A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65), plus one year relevant professional experience
An honours degree, graduate certificate, or graduate diploma (or equivalent/higher qualification) in any field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65)

Students in this stream will receive 24 UOC in advanced standing upon entry to the program, and will complete a 1.7 year (72 UOC) program of study.

2 year (96 UOC) program (Stream C)

A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65)

Related fields: Biodiversity and conservation, environmental and urban planning, environmental art and design, environmental communication, environmental economics, environmental engineering, environmental humanities, environmental journalism, environmental law, environmental management, environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental social science, environmental studies, geography, geographical studies, human geography, Indigenous studies, multispecies studies, natural resource management, planetary health, sustainability studies, sustainable architecture and landscape design, urban studies/rural planning

Relevant professional experience: Environmental or sustainability educator, planner, analyst, manager, campaign director, or similar in non-profit or for-profit sector, NGOs, or government; high-responsibility position as environmental activist or advocate; environmental or sustainability consultant, law associate, reporter, assessor, or monitor; environmental performer, artist, designer, therapist, or similar.

Note: Professional experience does not include internships.

Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Domestic Students

International Student

Program Requirements

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

Students who have completed 3 IEST courses and have a WAM 65 or higher may choose to take one or both of the following courses:

IEST8001 Environment & Society Leadership Practicum I: Project or Internship (6 UoC)
IEST8003 Environment & Society Leadership Practicum I: Project or Internship (6 UoC)

Students in the 72 UOC or 96 UOC specialisations for this program may be eligible for international Student Exchange. For further information regarding application and eligibility, please contact UNSW Study Abroad and Exchange office or the Nucleus.

Progression Requirements

Articulation arrangements:

If you have completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate or Diploma (programs 5499 and 7339) with a credit average you are eligible for admission to the Master's program with full credit for courses already completed.

If you wish to exit the Masters program early you may nominate to transfer to and graduate from the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma provided the requirements for the program have been met.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Postgraduate Pathway

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1271 - Humanities

Nested Postgraduate Program

Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management - GDipEM5499 - Environmental Management

Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management - GCertEM7339 - Environmental Management

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Alumni are working as environmental and sustainability leaders in prominent positions within outreach and education, policy and regulation, arts and performance, law and planning, conservation and restoration, research and consultancy, and organisation and mobilisation in Australia and internationally in a wide range of NGOs, in non-profit and for-profit industries, and across levels of government.

Recognition of Achievement

Award with Excellence

Current Students Award with Excellence

For more information, please visit:

The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

Additional Information

Further Information

Contact the Nucleus Student Hub for advice.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students

Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)

International Students