Master of Environment
Core Zone + selected units
Master of Sustainable Development
Core Zone + selected units
Master of Environment and Master of Sustainable Development
UAC CODE: 860482
Overview
I'm a
looking to start my course in 2026
Study options
- Part Time
- Full Time
- In person, on campus
Duration Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
- Full time: 2 years (or equivalent part time)
Fees The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
- Domestic Fee-paying
- Estimated annual fee AUD $30,300
Location and start dates
North Ryde:
- Session 1 (23 February 2026)
- Session 2 (27 July 2026)
Summary
Key features
- Join a booming industry set to exceed 100 million jobs by 2030
Acquire the green skills to drive sustainable solutions across both traditional and emerging sectors, and be in demand worldwide.
- Study core areas and undertake tailored electives
Study climate change, pollution, cities, health and environmental law, as well as equity and diversity, urbanism and policy.
- Upskill in fast-growing green areas
Acquire skills applicable to areas such as carbon accounting, emissions trading, impact assessment and sustainable procurement.
- Boost your employability with a research degree
Undertake our Master of Research following your coursework degree to deepen your knowledge and become a subject matter expert.
Career outcomes
With a rapidly evolving job market, it’s vital that you have the right skills to evolve with it. We’ll help you upskill or reskill so you can take the next career step in your current industry, or move to one that matches your changing interests. View professions and potential employers.
See career outcomesHow do double degrees work
Studying at Macquarie
Our vibrant and leafy campus forms part of one of the largest business and technology precincts in Australia. To ensure you have the right skills when you graduate — whether you're starting your first job or taking your career to the next level — we offer flexible study options, personalised degrees and practical experiences.
Benefits of studying at Macquarie
Course structure
I'm a
looking to start my course in 2026
Double degrees
Study both degrees concurrently, completing the core zones/units of each degree and graduate with two separate degrees.
Find out more about how double degrees work
Focused and flexible study
Where you can study
In person, on campus
Core Zone (Master of Environment)
60 credit points
Your degree’s core zone provides the focus of your preferred area of study and consists of all the units you’ll need to complete to meet your degree’s requirements.
Essential units
60 credit points
Complete each unit below.
Essential units are units that you must complete to qualify for your degree.
Core Zone (Master of Sustainable Development)
80 credit points
Your degree’s core zone provides the focus of your preferred area of study and consists of all the units you’ll need to complete to meet your degree’s requirements.
Essential units
80 credit points
Complete each unit below.
Essential units are units that you must complete to qualify for your degree.
ELECTIVE UNITS
20 credit points
Further details
Find further information and specific requirements in the Macquarie University Handbook.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
Career outcomes
I'm a
looking to start my course in 2026
Take the next step in your career
Professions
- Academic
- Air quality and pollution manager
- Circular economy consultant
- Climate change and sustainability consultant
- Climate consultant
- Conservation consultant
- Corporate social responsibility adviser
- Development manager
- Environmental and sustainability adviser
- Environmental and sustainability designer
- Environmental or geotechnical consultant
- Environmental scientist
- National parks manager
- Resilience adviser
- Resource manager
- River or land management officer
- Science-to-policy director
- Social sustainability manager
- Sustainability data assurance and reporting director
Employers
- Banks and financial institutions
- Catchment management authorities
- Climate change and sustainability consultancies
- Conservation agencies
- Environmental and geotechnical engineering consultancies
- Environmental management and planning organisations
- Environmental protection agencies
- Fisheries and forestry agencies
- Fundraising organisations
- Humanitarian aid, health and development agencies
- Indigenous development organisations
- NGOs
- Oil and gas companies
- Planning and urban development organisations
- State forest and national park authorities
- Sustainable development consulting firms
- Universities
Career information
Job and Skills Australia – an Australian Government initiative – provides accessible labour-market data, research and tools to help you understand Australia’s current and projected workforce-skills needs.
Multiply your employability
Employability boost
Significantly increase your career flexibility and employability prospects with a double degree.
In-demand graduates
Study at Australia’s #1 uni for graduate employment rate: QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2020.
Co-designed degrees
Study a degree co-designed with industry, and graduate with the knowledge and skills employers want.
Entry requirements
I'm a
looking to start my course in 2026
Simple steps to entry at Macquarie
See if you meet the academic requirements
Check if you qualify for recognition of prior learning
Do you meet some, but not all of the requirements?
Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to this degree at the admission point below.
Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the degree’s zones, which will affect the overall duration of the degree.
Entry requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Complete this degree in: | Course 1 requirements | Course 2 requirements |
Full time: 2 years | Master of Environment
or
or
| Master of Sustainable Development
or
or
|
Note: successful admission into the double degree means that you must satisfy the requirements for both of the single degrees. Admissions requirements are true at the time of publishing.
Master of Environment
Related fields of study
Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, Geology, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology, Hydrology, Statistics, Mathematics.
Relevant experience
Work experience in teaching or research organizations, private sector, government and non-government organizations, where Masters or higher level environmental measurement, analysis, or management related skills and knowledge are put to use in day to day operations. Eligibility under this criteria would be determined by the program director or a designated University official on case to case basis.
Master of Sustainable Development
Related fields of study
Environment, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Earth Sciences, Geology, (Environmental) Engineering, Environmental Economics, Environmental Law, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Hydrology, Geography, Political Economy, Development Studies, Politics, International Political Relations, Business, Education, Management, Architecture, Built Environment, Planning, Design, Social Science, Communication, Media, Communication, Education, Sustainability or Sociology.
Relevant experience
Relevant areas defined as: employment or volunteer work including advisory, advocacy, consultancy, representation, relations, analysis, research, management in public service, local government, community organisations, non government organisations, international or professional bodies, organisations, institutes, associations or business. Experience in fields relevant to the environment, or community or social development, building, infrastructure or disaster management, energy, agriculture, public health or financing or economy or sustainability, human rights, education, capacity building, public relations, public policy, communications policy, communications strategy, media, international relations.
*'Bachelor’s qualification' relates to an AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
Recognition of prior learning
With recognition of prior learning (RPL), you could get credit for your prior study and experience, reducing the duration of your studies. Credit is awarded for formal and informal or non-formal learning. You’ll need to apply for RPL once you receive your offer to study at Macquarie.
Find out moreYour prior learning may consist of:
- Formal learning
- Informal and non-formal learning
English language requirements
When applying to study at Macquarie University, you’re required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
You may satisfy the English language requirements by:
- passing an approved English language test at the required level
- holding a qualification from an approved country with English as the language of instruction
Learn more about English language requirements for applications direct to Macquarie University
The required standard of English for this degree is:
| IELTS band | Minimum score required |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Reading | 6 |
| Writing | 6 |
| Listening | 6 |
| Speaking | 6 |
Additional information and requirements
Master of Environment
Assumed knowledge
For the 1.5 year entry, assumed knowledge and skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) must be equivalent to ENVS6364 or higher.
Recommended studies
None.
Master of Sustainable Development
Assumed knowledge
None.
Recommended studies
None.
Inherent requirements
To be eligible to graduate from your course, you must satisfy the inherent requirements – essential activities, capacities and academic requisites – of that course.
View inherent requirementsFees and scholarships
I'm a
looking to start my course in 2026
Fees
The estimated annual fee displayed is based on a standard full-time study load. Fees may increase each year. For courses longer than one year in duration, you'll pay the fee that is current for the year that you enrol.
Find out moreEstimated cost
The cost of your studies may vary based on:- units chosen
- government support received
- approved credit for prior learning or work experience.
Domestic fee paying
AUD $30,300
Estimated annual fee
AUD $378.75
Fee per credit point
Government assistance
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible students enrolled in Domestic fee-paying courses. It's used to defer full or part of your tuition fee and can't be used for additional study costs, such as accommodation or textbooks.
Student amenities fee
You’re required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) to Macquarie University in compliance with the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act 2011 (Cth). The fee contributes to services, support and facilities of a non-academic nature.
Learn about SSAFScholarships
Macquarie University offers a variety of scholarships that recognise a range of factors, including academic or athletic achievement, leadership experience and volunteer work, or financial need and hardship. Additional scholarships may be available for selected areas of study.
How to apply
I'm a
looking to start my course in 2026
Course details
Course title:
Master of Environment and Master of Sustainable Development
UAC code:
860482
Starting year:
2026
Application instructions
Australian or New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or holders of Australian permanent resident humanitarian visas who are applying to study this course must apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website.
To be considered for this course, you must search (based on the UAC Code provided above in the red box) and include it as one of your preferences.
What you need to apply
To complete your application, you may require the following documents:
- Proof of Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency
- Evidence of previous academic qualifications and transcripts (including translations if your qualifications are not in English)
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if required)
Steps to apply
Decide on your course
Explore your entry options and check the requirements
Gather your documentation
Submit your application
Help with your application
For help with your application, or if you have any questions, contact our team.
Future Students
T: +61 (2) 9850 6767
E: futurestudents@mq.edu.au
Important dates
| Session/Year | Location | Applications open | Applications close | Session commences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | North Ryde | 3 September 2025 | 16 February 2026 | 23 February 2026 |
| Session 2 | North Ryde | 3 September 2025 | 6 July 2026 | 27 July 2026 |
Ask a question
If you’d like to know more about studying at Macquarie University, we’d love to hear from you.