Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency
PostgraduateCUR-SCP-GDI2025
Use your skills to aim for a sustainable future
Understand the relationship between global and local issues by learning to critique the impact of culture on sustainability. Apply climate policy to social research and analysis for public policy and commercial employment.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 20 Aug 2025,
- 19 Nov 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency
About this degree
Students will achieve the following outcomes from the graduate diploma:
- disseminate and apply a range of relevant disciplinary knowledge to the concept of sustainability relating to social, economic and environmental aspects and emergencies
- apply critical and analytical skills to develop practical pathways to sustainability
- identify, locate, critically evaluate and synthesise relevant and reliable information sources on sustainability
- communicate effectively at a high order verbally and in writing to a range of target audiences
- use communication technologies to effectively collect information, disseminate and communicate findings
- understand second-order learning and identify and apply successful learning strategies
- identify and apply international good practice to sustainability issues
- recognise and consider the specific needs and aspirations of diverse cultures to sustainability, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the cultures of other minority ethnic groups across the world
- demonstrate leadership ability within sustainability practice to work effectively as a team and independently when appropriate with high ethical values.
This degree was previously known as Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Climate Policy.
The course expands the knowledge and understanding of the environment- and climate-related issues and helps find practical and deployable solutions. It is designed to develop skills and expertise to enter the sustainability profession by gaining comprehensive knowledge around climate policy, sustainable development and climate-resilient society. This cross-disciplinary course is designed to complement existing knowledge gained from an undergraduate qualification in any recognised area, including business, engineering, humanities, education, natural sciences, social sciences and health sciences.
Recommended study pattern
Complete six core subjects and 2 optional subjects.
See the enrolment planner below.
Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency enrolment planner (XLS)
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency students must complete a total of 8 subjects.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Selection of optional subjects should be made in consultation with the course coordinator.
Exit points
Graduate Certificate in Environment and Climate Emergency.
Degrees 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.
This degree has undergone major change effective from Study Period 3, 2020.
The title of the degree Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Climate Policy has been changed to Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency.
The new degree may slightly impact existing students but they will remain in the existing degree until completion. The effects will include updates to names of subjects plus the addition of pre-requisite entry requirements for dissertation subjects.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $21,880
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.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 13
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 14
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree but single subject enrolment is possible.
The following subjects can be designated as open-enrolment subjects:
- SCP522 Pathways to a Climate Resilient Society;
- SCP530 Sustainable Waste Management;
- SCP543 Future Cities;
- SCP544 Leadership in Sustainability;
- SCP547 Climate Policy;
- SCP548 People and Planet;
- SCP549 Sustainability, Climate Change and Economics;
- SCP701 Introduction to Environment & Climate Emergency
Entry pathways to the Graduate Diploma are Bachelor degree or equivalent in any field from a recognised institution; or a Graduate Certificate in Environment and Climate Emergency; candidates applying via this pathway may be eligible for credit for recognised learning (CRL) on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants need to meet Curtin’s English Language requirement as all degrees are taught in English.
If your education degrees were not solely in English, as per the International Handbook of Universities or the World Higher Education database please attach a scanned original copy of English Proficiency Test results. Admission requires an overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) (or equivalent test) score of at least 6.5 and competence in all test components (IELTS score of 6.0).
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Entry Requirements' document at: English Language Requirements.
Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at: English Proficiency Tests.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience. Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment. To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Career opportunities
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Managers | Over $120K | N/A^ |
| Policy Analysts | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
| Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
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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.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
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 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
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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.
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