Master of Environmental Management

During this course you will:

1. Learn first-hand from UQ's experts and industry leaders and apply these theories during 'hands on' classes.
2. Take advantage of opportunities for marine and terrestrial research and interactive field-and lab-based learning.
3. Access unique biodiversity hotspots and fascinating ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs to World Heritage rain forests.
4. Gain practical experience while enhancing your report-writing and project management skills.
5. Organise your study around your professional and personal commitments, with the option to complete many courses online.

From understanding ecosystem dynamics to crafting sustainable policies and practices, you’ll gain the knowledge to address problems such as climate change, pollution and sustainable transitions for a range of industries.

Learn from world-leading experts in sustainability, environmental management, ecology and conservation.

Our teachers engage in cutting-edge research and help make decisions for institutions such as Nature Conservancy, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, World Health Organization and Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

They bring their expertise to the classroom to provide you with the latest developments in environmental management and sustainability.

Tailor your studies to your career goals. Choose courses to match your interests in areas such as:

• conservation biology
• regulatory frameworks
• natural resource management
• environmental impact assessment
• coastal processes and management.

Take part in international study opportunities, research projects and industry placements to give yourself a professional advantage.

This program is ideal if you want to enhance your skills and technical expertise – even if you haven't previously studied environmental management. 

Please note that select subjects and assessments may require in-person attendance on campus or at an external assessment centre. Please see the University's website for further details.

Recommended study pattern

The Master of Environmental Management is a 2 year course for a full-time student. Each year consists of 2 Study Periods, also known as semesters. The recommended study pattern consists of 9 core subjects and 7 elective subjects, with 8 to be completed in your first year and 8 in your second.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Environmental Management, students must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of 16 subjects.

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

Indicative total fee $19,260

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.

Postgrad study at UQ equips you with the mindset to master any challenge and every journey.

The University of Queensland (UQ) is ranked among the world’s top 50 universities and one of Australia’s leading teaching and research institutions.

UQ delivers for the public good through transformative education, pioneering research, and meaningful engagement with communities.

The University of Queensland has Australia’s most awarded teachers and graduates are highly sought after. UQ researchers work with government and industry – from discovery to commercialisation – to solve global challenges.

The UQ community includes 54,000+ students, 365,000+ alumni, and 450 international partners and the university is a member of Universitas 21, Group of Eight, Universities Australia, Worldwide Universities Network, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

6

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6

To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent), you'll need:

• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
• a graduate certificate or graduate diploma in environmental management, or
• to have successfully completed at least 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Environmental Management.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent), you'll need:

• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), or
• to have successfully completed at least 3.5 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, including research requirements, with a formal pathway to the Master of Environmental Management.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications

Relevant disciplines include environmental studies, geography, natural resources, biology, ecology, conservation, sustainable development, environmental engineering and marine science.

All applicants must satisfy the UQ English language proficiency requirements for admission.

If you've completed previous study, you may be eligible to receive credit for – or exemption from – certain subjects in a UQ program.

You'll have the option to complete a 270-hour Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement to apply your skills and knowledge in a real-world industry setting. You'll develop and complete a meaningful project with your placement host, gaining practical experience, developing and enhancing skills in report writing and project management, and expanding your professional network.

lease note that select subjects and assessments may require in-person attendance on campus or at an external assessment centre. Please see the University's website for further details.