Master of Environmental Management and Development

Upon successful completion of the study, students should be able to:

1. Identify and critically analyse complex environmental and development problems and the key issues that comprise them;
2. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge, research and practical professional skills, together with an appreciation of how they inform and shape debate, and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses;
3. Understand, synthesise and explain contemporary environment and development policy issues from alternative disciplinary and social perspectives, and an appreciation of context;
4. Articulate ideas clearly and communicate these persuasively in a range of formats to diverse audiences;
5. Contribute to social, economic and environmental wellbeing.

When you complete the MEMD degree, a wide range of local and international employment pathways can open up to you. Many of our graduates have taken up policy and management roles with local, state, and federal government. Others have gone on to influential positions with global development institutions, environmental agencies, non-government organisations, and social enterprises. Others still have elected to specialise in the private sector, where they are guiding sustainability strategies within large-scale mining and agriculture companies.

Higher education

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis.     

·   Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or

·   Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

·   Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or

·   Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or

·   48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or

·   Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

·   Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

·   A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

English Proficiency Requirements

Applications must show English language proficiency by meeting ANU's English Language Requirements for admission to study this course.

Applicants with a Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units of credit.

Credit for relevant work experience may be considered and will be determined in accordance with the University’s Credit Policy and Procedure.

The Master of Environmental Management and Development will boost your career in natural resource management and environmental policy, and improve your professional ability to respond to the complex challenges of sustainable development.

Offered by the internationally-renowned Crawford School, the program will equip you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills you need to contribute to the goals of economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability in different social and political contexts.

Focus areas include biodiversity conservation, food security, climate change, social impacts, environmental governance, and management of primary resources such as water, fisheries, forests, and minerals. A wide range of elective courses from across ANU is also available. Credit and exemptions may be given for prior study and work experience, including to the pre-sessional program.

Recommended Study Pattern

The two-year degree of multi-modal requires the completion of 96 units.

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:

• Graduate Academic and Research Skills for Public Policy

• Graduate Preparatory Economics for Public Policy

• Introduction to Environmental and Resource Economics

• Research Methods for Environmental Management and Development

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award Requirements

The two-year degree of multi-modal requires the completion of 96 units.