Master of Climate Change Adaptation

Graduates of the Master of Climate Change Adaptation will have:

• a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments of key concepts and issues relating to climate change
• a knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the study of climate change
• the ability to apply their knowledge in multi-disciplinarysettings

The Climate Change Adaptation programs are designed to give professionals from any background a sound interdisciplinary knowledge of climate change, the ability to analyse its impacts, and the creative skills needed to build resilience 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 from the local to the national and international level. They will empower students to be involved in, for example, improving the planning of urban areas, providing better services to the public to improve wellbeing, transforming economic development, creating new management plans to conserve biodiversity, or the development of treaties to protect major earth systems.

Recommended study pattern

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

• Leading Policy and Organisational Change
• Research Design and Methods 
• Policymaking and Planning for Climate Change
• Urban Adaptation: Delivering Water Sensitive Cities 

Plus there’s a selection of majors 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

Pathway 1 - 1 year program (80CP)

For the award of Master of Climate Change Adaptation (MClimChgAdapt), if eligible to complete this program in 1 year, you must successfully complete 80 credit points made up of:

• 80 credit points for the Core Module.

Pathway 2 - 1.5 years program (120CP)

For the award of Master of Climate Change Adaptation (MClimChgAdapt), if eligible to complete this program in 1.5 years, you must successfully complete 120 credit points made up of:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation Module; AND
• 80 credit points for the Core Module

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

Indicative total fee $48,000

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.

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 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Climate Change Adaptation you must have one of:

Pathway 1 - 1 year program (80CP):

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; AND a minimum 2 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience; ORA recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 5.0 using a 7.0 scale; AND a minimum 2 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience; ORa Griffith Graduate Certificate in Climate Change Adaptation with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.

Pathway 2 - 1.5 year program (120CP):

• A recognised bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; ORA combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal, and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to the above. 

*Related Discipline: Climate, Development Studies, Energy Change, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Forest Science and Management, Resource and Environmental Management, Science Communication, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Sustainability Science, Sustainable Development.

^Professional Experience: 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.

A higher qualification refers to a qualification at a higher level than a Bachelor qualification, which includes any of the following: a Bachelor Honours Degree; Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, MPhil or PhD.

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 a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• 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 C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

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

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

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.