Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability

On successful completion of the program students will have:

1. Apply knowledge and skills in the discipline of environmental management and sustainability across a range of contexts for ethical professional practice.
2. Review, analyse and synthesise recent developments in the discipline to demonstrate an advanced understanding in the field of environmental management and sustainability.
3. Provide technical and creative solutions to environmental problems using independent judgement and critical analysis of available resources.
4. Interpret, justify and communicate environmental management and sustainability concepts, theoretical propositions and methodologies to a variety of specialist or non-specialist audience.
5. Initiate, plan and implement environmental management and sustainability projects both autonomously and as part of a team using an adaptive management framework.

This program will equip you with new, sustainable skills that will improve your green credentials. It will also prepare you for the strong forecasted growth of jobs in high environmental impact areas over the next decade. 

This program is designed to engage with the broad issues that contemporary societies face in today’s climate. The focus of the program is to integrate theory and practice with: 

• Aid you in achieving a promotion 
• Assist you in bettering your performance in your current role 
• Change career paths to the environmental sector.

Recommended study pattern

Students are required to complete a total of, but no more than, 40 units, comprised of the following:

• 20 units of core courses
• 10 units of courses chosen from Course List A
• 10 units of courses chosen from Course List B.

Please note: Students must only complete courses that form part of the program.

Students in the Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability have the option of exiting with the Graduate Certificate only if they are admitted to the Masters program on the basis of an AQF Level 7 program.

Award requirements

Students are required to complete a total of, but no more than, 40 units, comprised of the following:

• 20 units of core courses
• 10 units of courses chosen from Course List A
• 10 units of courses chosen from Course List B.

Please note: Students must only complete courses that form part of the program.

Students in the Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability have the option of exiting with the Graduate Certificate only if they are admitted to the Masters program on the basis of an AQF Level 7 program.

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

Indicative total fee $14,065

The amounts shown here are 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.

The University of Newcastle is dedicated to outstanding education and research. Their degrees are shaped around global learning, work placements and entrepreneurial opportunities. The university is known as a champion of innovative approaches, striving for a dynamic teaching culture that delivers world-class outcomes. Welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, they focus on equity and developing the next generation of socially-oriented leaders.

Learn more about Newcastle University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

17

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Students with an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree or an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours degree are eligible for admission to the program. In special circumstances, an applicant holding other acceptable academic or professional qualifications and relevant work experience may be admitted as a candidate for the program.

All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement:

• IELTS overall minimum - 6.5
• IELTS section minimum - 6.0.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.