This degree is no longer offered. You may be interested in other courses
Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies
PostgraduateMUR-EES-GDI2019
Course information for 2019 intake
Learn from the industry leaders at the Murdoch University Energy Research and Innovation Group
Develop skills to perform a techno-economic analysis of systems, audit and report on consumption and emissions and contribute to policy and research. Graduates find work in energy, government or renewable energy
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies
About this degree
Graduates of this Graduate Diploma will have:
- Advanced knowledge concerning the role of energy in society, the operation of various renewable energy technologies and the criteria for sustainable energy development, in both developed and developing countries.
- Technical skills to undertake energy audits and carbon accounting and to analyse, consolidate and synthesise data, and devise energy and carbon management strategies.
- Cognitive skills to think critically and creatively in order to design renewable energy systems and carry out techno-economic analysis of energy systems.
- Communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of energy and carbon economics and policy to a variety of audiences.
Graduates of this Graduate Diploma will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:
- To report on the energy consumption and carbon emissions of a company in compliance with Federal legislation.
- To initiate, plan, implement and evaluate an energy and carbon management program for a company.
- To conduct a feasibility study for a company concerning the incorporation of renewable energy technologies and in particular design a hybrid solar photovoltaic and battery system in accordance with industry accredited practice.
- To make high level, independent judgements in developing energy and carbon policy and planning for corporate or government entities.
This degree was previously known as Graduate Diploma in Energy Studies.
The Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies is intended to provide graduates of any discipline with a one-year degree of study that covers the core areas of renewable and sustainable energy, as well as energy and carbon management.
Award requirements
Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies students must complete the following 8 subjects
- EENV591 Energy Policy
- EENV592 Energy in Society
- EENV590 Energy Systems
- EENV593 Energy Economics
- EENV594 Energy Management
- EENV504 Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Life Cycle Assessment
- EENV599 Climate Change Science and Policy
- EENV598 Carbon Management
For individual advice on how recent changes to the degree structure may affect you, please contact the Academic Chair, Dr. Jonathan Whale, direct:
Dr Jonathan Whale
Academic Chair of Energy Studies
Murdoch University
Tel. +61 8 9360 2102
Email. J.Whale@murdoch.edu.auDegrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
2018 Changes
EENV587 Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development had been removed from this degree. Students who have completed this subject will have it counted towards their degree.
2017 Changes
This degree has undergone a major change effective Study Period 3, 2017.
The degree will now be known as Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies. Students will not be disadvantaged in any way by the upgraded curriculum. Degree variations will be permitted so that students currently enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies can take any of EENV599, EENV598, and EENV504 for their Energy electives.
If students want to do the subjects that were in the diploma when they first enrolled then they can still complete the subject content of EENV501 or EENV596 by Independent Study Contract. Students will be contacted by Murdoch University to inform them of the updates.
For individual advice on study plans or any further enquiries, please contact the Academic Chair:
Dr Jonathan Whale
Academic Chair of Energy Studies
Murdoch University
Tel. +61 8 9360 2102
Email. J.Whale@murdoch.edu.auOpen Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $16,920
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.
This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.
Learn more about Murdoch University.
Explore Murdoch courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 26
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 31
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Recognised Bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7) or higher, or equivalent training, in a related area. Students with alternative, satisfactory preparation may also be admitted.
Some of the subjects taken assume some prior knowledge, details of which are given in the description of each subject in the Handbook. The most common of these is the Physics prerequisite for subjects such as Energy in Society, Energy Management, Energy Systems and Energy Efficient Buildings. Some students may therefore need to complete additional prerequisite subjects.Please contact the Academic Chair of Energy Studies to discuss:
Dr Jonathan Whale
Academic Chair of Energy Studies
Murdoch University
Tel. +61 8 9360 2102
Email. J.Whale@murdoch.edu.auInternational applicants must have an IELTS score of 6.
Find out if you are eligible and apply at https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/undergraduate-courses/recognition-of-prior-learning.
Career opportunities
Graduates can expect to gain employment in power generation companies, renewable energy manufacturing and installation companies, international aid organisations, government departments, energy efficiency, carbon accounting and environmental consultancies, university and private industry research organisations and local government.
Professional recognition
Students who complete the subject EENV590 Energy Systems as part of this degree are eligible for provisional accreditation by the Clean Energy Council for design of stand-alone photovoltaic systems.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
| Research and Development Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.2% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
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Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
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You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
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