Graduate Certificate in Climate Change Adaptation

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Climate Change Adaptation will have:

• An understanding of key climate change issues and concepts.
• A body of interdisciplinary knowledge applicable to the study of climate change.
• The ability to apply this knowledge in multi-disciplinary settings.

Increase system resilience in the face of climate change.

Gain a sound interdisciplinary knowledge of climate change, and tools that increase society's resilience to its impacts, in this graduate certificate. Designed for professionals from any background, this certificate provides the ability to analyse impacts of climate change while also developing the creative skills needed to build durability against those impacts across society and the environment.

This includes the ability to develop and deploy adaptation strategies to protect communities, businesses, government agencies, infrastructure, and natural assets. These skills can be applied at the local, national and international levels in the private, community, and public sectors.

As a student, you will be empowered to get involved in improving the planning of urban areas, providing better services to the public to improve wellbeing. In the process, you'll support the transformation of economic development, the creation of new management plans to conserve biodiversity, the development of treaties to protect major earth systems, and more.

Industry and expert connections

Through collaboration in group projects, you'll have the opportunity to use your disciplinary background and skills to delve deeper into some aspect of this key global issue while working alongside student peers from a variety of professions. The interactive nature of this graduate certificate will ensure you can make connections with fellow students and our academics, which will be valuable additions to your professional network in this burgeoning field of climate change adaptation.

Graduate outcomes

The global commitment to mitigate climate change requires structural changes in the global economy, and that means knowledge in this area will be increasingly relevant not only in the environmental sciences but also in other disciplines, such as business, engineering, planning, and public health. Climate influences all aspects of the earth's systems, including ecosystem function and structure, human health, agricultural productivity and our overall socio-economic well-being. This graduate certificate also offers a pathway to further study in our Master of Climate Change Adaptation.

Flexibility

Study anytime, anywhere - This degree is available online through our Digital campus, giving you more room to fit university with your work and social life.

Pursue further study

The courses in this graduate certificate may be credited towards a related graduate diploma or masters degree. Griffith's innovative Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past, which will give you an idea of what you can expect.

Recommended study pattern

Study anytime, anywhere - This degree is available online through our Digital campus, giving you more room to fit university with your work and social life.

This Graduate Certificate will be offered full-time and part-time via online delivery.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Urban Futures: Delivering Water Sensitive Cities
• Climate Adaptation Theory and Practice.

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Graduate Certificate in Climate Change Adaptation (GCertClimChgAdapt), you must successfully

Complete 40 credit points comprising:

• 40 credit points for all Foundation Module

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $6,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)
• Five years relevant work experience

Relevant work experience includes environmental planning, environmental policymaking, environmental management, impact assessment, risk assessment, environmental health, public health, medicine, environmental engineering, civil engineering, construction, development assessment, natural resource management, water management, asset management

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.