Bachelor of Sustainability

Why study the Bachelor of Sustainability at UNE?

The Bachelor of Sustainability at UNE provides a unique opportunity to develop skills and an understanding of sustainability in a holistic manner, integrating the social sciences and humanities with the environmental sciences and natural resource management.

Going beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, and transcending the old 'arts-sciences' divide, we adopt a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach to sustainability, and graduates gain an understanding of social and community sustainability as well as ecologically sustainable development - a great advantage in the growing 'green collar' job market.

UNE was the first university in Australia to offer this degree and ours remains a step-ahead, offering targeted, career-orientated majors depending on whether you would like to work with communities, design and implement policy, or work in environmental protection or cultural heritage management. Whether you would like to work in the public sector, private sector or in the non-government field, the potential avenues are endless.

Workplace experience is facilitated during the degree and you can also draw upon the expertise of our industry-based Course Advisory Committee as well as the guidance and mentorship of our cutting-edge researchers and academics. Our staff are at the forefront of their fields, they are passionate about sustainability and as well as teaching, they also conduct research in: ecosystems, environmental law and policy, carbon and water trading and climate change - and these are just a few examples!

UNE has a long history of supporting social and economic well-being and environmental health right across Australia. This was recognised at the 2010 NSW Green Globe awards, where UNE received a 10 year sustainability certificate for its extensive accomplishments in resource management and education for sustainability.

So, if you would like to work with people in building a better world then this degree is for you! You will be equipped with the ability to understand the complexities of the environmental and social problems which beset our society, as well as the problem-solving abilities needed to build a sustainable future.

You will study a diverse variety of subjects from a broad range of disciplines, together providing a unique focus on sustainability integrating environmental management, geography, law, psychology, social science, economics and policy studies. You can major in Environmental Resilience, Environmental Governance, Governance and Regulation, Community Engagement and Development or Cultural Heritage Management. Each degree has mandatory subjects and you can supplement these with your choice of electives, and you may also undertake work placements if you wish. Read on for more details!

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Sustainability is an interdisciplinary degree that offers a solid academic grounding and vocational qualification. Career opportunities include positions in a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including roles as sustainability and environment officers, policy advisers, planning and research officers for state/federal government, government planning and environment departments, environmental protection agencies, cultural and natural heritage management, environmental conservation, land and water management, natural resource management, community development, commercial industry, environmental consultancies, mining, research careers with CSIRO, universities and industries.

The five majors in the degree provide opportunities to specialise in particular areas.

The Community Engagement and Development major provides a focus on public education, engagement and participation to enable you to pursue a career in this area.

The Cultural Heritage Management major provides a focus on Indigenous and public heritage management to enable you to pursue a career in this area.

The Environmental Governance major provides a focus on integrating the social and environmental aspects of sustainability to enable you to pursue a career in environmental governance and policy.

The Environmental Resilience major provides a focus on the environmental aspects of sustainability to enable you to pursue a career in environmental policy.

The Governance and Regulation major provides a focus on the policy and regulatory arena to enable you to pursue a career in this area.

Students can also undertake workplace experience during the degree.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2017 ATAR / OP

72.55 / 12

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Online

Official Abbreviation BSustainability
Course Type Undergraduate
CRICOS Code 072404F
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Online
Course Duration
  • 3 Years Full-time
  • Up to 10 years Part-time
2017 ATAR 72.55
2017 OP 12
Fees CSP / International
Total Credit Points 144
Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Assumed knowledge is any two units in English.

Recommended studies are any two units of Mathematics.

Applicants must meet the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Practical, Clinical or Work Experience

The degree has an applied environmental policy focus.

Students have the opportunity to obtain career-relevant skills through training in the workplace by selecting WORK300 as an elective.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing will not be granted for WORK300.

Scholarships

The University offers a number of Faculty/College and country scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Academic Colours

Mace (BCC 73)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Sustainability in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Applicants must meet the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Advanced standing will not be granted for WORK300.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) three years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 300-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 60 cps
Complete ONE Major
48 or 72 cps
Elective Units 12 or 36 cps
Total 144 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Community Engagement and Development
Cultural Heritage Management
Environmental Governance
Environmental Resilience
Governance and Regulation

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Sustainability.

Exit Pathways

Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Advanced Diploma in Arts on completion of 72 credit points.
Such candidates who then wish to complete the Bachelor of Sustainability must re-apply for admission and will be subject to the most current rules for the course.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Sustainability is about understanding social and community sustainability as well as ecologically sustainable development. It provides a unique opportunity to develop skills and an understanding of sustainability in a holistic and multidisciplinary manner, integrating social science with environmental science.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate multidisciplinary knowledge of sustainability including its biophysical and socio-economic aspects, and the interrelationships between environmental and social issues;
  2. locate, evaluate, analyse, synthesise and critically apply knowledge and information about sustainability from a wide range of sources in an appropriate and professional manner;
  3. exercise critical thinking and judgement to appreciate the causes of sustainability problems and demonstrate the capacity to develop effective, ethical and socially responsible solutions;
  4. adapt and apply knowledge and skills in sustainability in a wide range of contexts, whether working as part of a team or independently;
  5. communicate a current and critical knowledge of sustainability to a wide range of audiences in an appropriate and professional manner; and
  6. demonstrate an enduring curiosity and high capacity for continuing engagement and professional activity in the field of sustainability.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Sustainability is an important issue globally and a global perspective and knowledge of sustainability, the biophysical environment, environmental problems, human behaviour and behavioural change and mechanisms to address environmental harms, in this multidisciplinary area, will be taught in lectures, unit materials and online activities supported by a range of learning materials, practised in interactive media (such as tutorials and online) and assessed in various assessment tasks throughout the course.

Communication Skills

Communication skills will be taught and practised in lectures, tutorials and online activities supported by a range of learning materials and assessed in all assessment tasks throughout the course. These skills will include oral, graphical, online and written communication appropriate for a range of different audiences and purposes and involve a variety of media.

Problem Solving

The degree is designed to produce graduates with the skills required to understand the complexities of the environmental and social problems which beset our society and with the problem-solving abilities needed to build a sustainable future. Through undertaking the activities taught, practised and assessed throughout the course graduates will develop technical ability in the utilisation of multidisciplinary approaches and methods to problem-solving and be able to draw together and be able to apply multidisciplinary knowledge/s to design effective solutions to complex sustainability problems. Graduates will develop professional skills in critical thinking, evaluation and reflection.

Information Literacy

The ability to locate, evaluate and apply information from a variety of sources, including the researching and interpretation of primary data, in an appropriate manner will be taught in lectures, unit materials and online activities supported by a range of learning materials, practised in interactive media (tutorials and online) and assessed in all assessment tasks throughout the course.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Sustainability and sustainable development are integral to ethical conduct and social responsibility, and these aspects will be taught in lectures, unit materials and online activities supported by a range of learning materials, practised in interactive media (tutorials and online) and assessed in various assessment tasks throughout the course.

Lifelong Learning

Sustainability as addressed in the degree will provide graduates with skills that are essential for lifelong learning. Through undertaking the activities taught, practised and assessed throughout the course graduates will develop an enduring curiosity and capacity for continuing engagement in the field.

Independence and Collaboration

Through undertaking the activities taught, practised and assessed throughout the course, graduates will develop interpersonal and group participation skills and be able to adapt and apply their knowledge and skills in sustainability in a wide range of contexts, whether collaborating as part of a team or working independently.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

For more information, click here

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