Master of Environmental Science

At the end of the program, students of the Master of Environmental Science can:

1. Reflect critically on a complex body of specialist knowledge and understanding of recent developments and methods applicable to the field of Environmental Science and related disciplines.
2. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills drawn from a broad discipline base to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in Environmental Science.
3. Apply communication skills to design innovative contributions to professional practice in Environmental Science.
4. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial project in Environmental Science.

The Master of Environmental Science provides students with skills and experience in environmental science, focusing on project management, OHS, sustainability, monitoring and reporting. The course includes study of environmental management systems, auditing and sustainability reporting, and places students within the industry to provide work experience in the management of environmental projects. It focuses on skills for the environmental, engineering, and sustainability professions. The course is also flexible in providing on-campus and off-campus study options.

Recommended study pattern

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

• Bio-statistics
• Integrated Environmental Management
• Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures.

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

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 240 credit points.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Students are required to select 2 (two) units from the below list:

• Management of Waste
• Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
• Biological Conservation
• Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
• Data Analysis and Visualisation.

Then Students in the final Semester, Students are required to choose from either:

• Postgraduate Science Project; OR
• Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics).

Exit points

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

Indicative total fee $56,700

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.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

Learn more about ECU.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

Special entry may be considered for students with a cognate first degree (or with appropriate experience) who can apply for a reduced course duration:

1.5 years full time (3 years part time) – 180 credit points

Admission is based on:

• Bachelor degree in a related discipline*, or
• Bachelor degree in any discipline, plus five years relevant work experience^, or
• Graduate Certificate of Environmental Science (or equivalent), or
• Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.

*Related discipline refers to any environmental science / biology related discipline.

^Relevant work experience constitutes Senior/Managerial positions to be approved by the Course Coordinator.

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page for Band 4;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page for Band 4.

If you have completed units of study in another Postgraduate course or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal.

Work Experience option:

Students have the opportunity to spend their final semester undertaking a professional placement embedded within a host organisation. Successful applicants for this capstone placement opportunity will enrol in and complete SCI6700 Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics) in place of SCI6108.

Attendance requirements:

Students are required to complete a placement which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study. Whilst attendance is negotiated with the WIL host organisation, typically students will be expected to undertake a minimum of 300 hours over a maximum of 17 weeks. Typical full-time placements usually comprise 450 hours of professional placement.