Sustainability courses

Strive to meet today’s needs without compromising the future

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Sustainability

When you study a sustainability course, you focus on finding workable solutions to environmental problems. Sustainability challenges span the globe, from the broadest scenarios in business and government, through to local issues in everyday life.

Sustainability skills, like complex problem solving and critical thinking, are valuable in many fields. Studying sustainability is especially relevant for careers based in consulting, planning, policy, the not-for-profit sector, and government.

Whether you’re fitting further study in around your job or looking to level up with a new qualification, studying sustainability is a great way to future-proof your career.

Explore sustainability courses
Open Universities Australia student Shiree at work standing in front of a colourful notice board.
Shiree studied humanities and social studies with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia

Discover sustainability courses

Online sustainability subjects and short courses

Murdoch University

UndergraduateMUR-SUS100

Introduction to Sustainable Development

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 29 Jul 2024

Enrolments open until 8 Aug

Curtin University

PostgraduateCUR-SCP543

Future Cities

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 25 Nov 2024

University of South Australia

UndergraduateUSA-BUSS1067

Business and Society

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

University of Tasmania

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 22 Jul 2024

View all subjects

Online sustainability degrees

University of Southern Queensland

Add research skills to your environment and sustainability expertise

100% online

1 year full time or part time equivalent

University of Tasmania

UndergraduateTAS-SUS-DEG

Bachelor of Science (Sustainability)

Develop sustainable societies for a better world

100% online

3 years full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Charles Sturt University

Tackle the environmental issues you care about most

Online & on-campus

3 years full time or part time equivalent

University of Newcastle

Solve real-world environmental problems and build connections

100% online

2 years full time or part time equivalent

View all bachelor degrees

Discover 199 ways to study sustainability with leading Australian universities.

Explore sustainability courses

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Sustainability study FAQs

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

How do I enrol?

Unlike when you study through a traditional university, you can enrol you in most of the undergraduate subjects available through our website instantly. Enrol in the subjects you’re interested in, and as soon as your study materials arrive, you can start learning online.

As you start completing your subjects, you’ll eventually need to apply to your uni to formally enter your degree. Enrolling in subjects is a great way of becoming eligible and applying successfully. Check out the Registering in this degree section on the degree page you're interested in for more information.

Postgraduate subjects are different. Most of them are restricted, meaning you’ll have to apply for entry and be accepted before you can start studying online. You’ll find information about the application process on the postgraduate degree page that you’re interested in.

Enrolling is easy. You can enrol online or over the phone with a student advisor.

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

  • You can enrol without entry requirements 
    We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
  • 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
    Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

Sustainability highlights

  • Explore living examples of sustainable community development.
  • Unpack global and political climate and ecological emergency movements.
  • Choose from electives including energy security and natural disasters.

Sustainability specialisations

  • Understand and uphold UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Develop social maturity and ethical strength.
  • Build an interdisciplinary knowledge of climate change.

Student stories and study advice

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Curious about the social sciences, but puzzled by what they actually are? You’re not alone. We spoke to an expert about the career prospects for graduates in this vast field of study.

The power of student activism (and how to get involved online)

As history shows, student activism drives meaningful change. But how can online students be part of these grassroots movements from afar?

5 jobs of the future that could take over the workforce

Social media managers, content creators and coders are the jobs of today. But what are the jobs of tomorrow? The roles experts predict may surprise you.

The 10 best creative writing short courses to kick off your practice

Whether you want to write a short story, novel, children’s book, biography or simply give in to your creative writing compulsion, we have the short course you didn’t know you needed.

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

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Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 518,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

Enrol in courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities

University of New England logoMurdoch University logo
RMIT University logoUniversity of Adelaide logo
Southern Cross University logoUniversity of South Australia logo
The University of Newcastle logoLa Trobe University logo
The University of Queensland logoGriffith University logo
Swinburne University logoTorrens University Australia logo
Macquarie University logoEdith Cowan University logo
Australian Catholic University logoJames Cook University Australia logo
Flinders University logoUniversity of Tasmania logo
The University of Notre Dame Australia logoUniversity of Southern Queensland logo
Bond University logoUniversity of the Sunshine Coast logo
Charles Sturt University logoCurtin University logo
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