single degree

Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability

A single three year undergraduate award offered by the ANU College of Science

BENSU
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

A minimum of 96 units must come from completion of courses from the Science course list

A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of quantitative research skills courses from the following list, which may contribute towards meeting the requirements of a major, minor or specialisation in the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability:

BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology (6 units)

BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

ENVS2002 Environmental Measurement, Modelling and Monitoring (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods (6 units)

Any 1000-, 2000- or 3000- level course from the subject area MATH- Mathematics or STAT- Statistics, with the exception of MATH1042


The 144 units must consist of:

48 units from completion of one of the following majors:

Environmental Science

Quantitative Environmental Modelling

Resource and Environmental Management

Sustainability Studies


Either:

24 units from completion of one of the following minors:

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Climate Science and Policy

Environmental Policy

Forest Science and Policy

Geography

Human Ecology

Soil and Land Management

Sustainable Development

Water Science and Policy

24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list


Or:

48 units from completion of a second major from the following list:

Agricultural Innovation

Biodiversity Conservation

Climate Science

Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology

Earth Science

Environmental Science

Quantitative Environmental Modelling

Resource and Environmental Management

Geography

Sustainability Studies

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

 

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements.

In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list .

 

Majors

Minors

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective majorminor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units 1000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 1000 level course Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
1000 level course Science Major from list 6 units Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
Year 2 48 units 2000 level course Science Major from list 6 units Science elective 6 units Minor from list 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
2000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 2000 level course Science Major from list 6 units Minor from list 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
Year 3 48 units 3000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 3000 level course Science elective 6 units 3000 level course Minor from list 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
3000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 3000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 3000 level course Minor from list 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.


In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.


The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

  • Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
    • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
    • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
    • English language proficiency; and
    • any program-specific requirements listed below.
  • Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
    • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
    • English language proficiency; and
    • any program-specific requirements listed below.
  • Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
    • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
    • English language proficiency; and
    • any program-specific requirements listed below.
  • Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

ATAR:
80
International Baccalaureate:
29

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

  • applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
  • undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
  • achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
  • not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$49,330.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Maintaining the balance between our environment and human development is challenging. The future needs you to work on sustainable solutions to issues including increasing biodiversity loss, urbanisation and climate change.

The ANU Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability is a contemporary degree, covering environmental science, policy and social sciences, allowing you to address the complex challenges of sustainability by giving you a broad environmental education.

You’ll learn to link perspectives from the natural and social sciences with their applications in your chosen major and minor.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.

 

Career Options

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

Employment Opportunities

You can choose from a range of careers as diverse as the environment itself.

Many of our graduates are employed in policy making within government, water resources management, environmental management, urban planning and sustainability, international development and climate change adaption consulting.

See where a Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Evaluate current understandings of environmental science, natural resource management and sustainability, and of a range of response strategies for sustainable resource management and development.

  2. Integrate knowledge from relevant scientific areas and from policy approaches across disciplines into approaches designed to address complex contemporary environment and sustainability issues, in global, national and local contexts.

  3. Apply a range of written, oral and visual communication skills to effectively convey and discuss information about environmental science, sustainable development and resource management decisions and relevant policies across discipline

  4. Engage with ongoing debates on environmental science, resource management and sustainability issues, recognising the importance of biophysical and socio-political and cultural contexts.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

As an exception, courses listed in the Australian Indigenous Studies minor but not listed in the Science course list will contribute towards the 96 unit Science requirement for students completing the minor.


Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD (not available in FDD)

  • This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year undergraduate single degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions, please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees
  • Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.
  • This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Progression hurdle:

  • Students in the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability who have opted for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
  • If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.



Back to the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability page

Are you concerned about the state of the environment and want to be part of the solution?

With a strong emphasis on getting outside and learning in the field, the ANU Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability will give you a broad environmental education, teaching you to link the natural and social sciences with their applications in environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.

If you enjoy the great outdoors and are passionate about keeping them pristine for future generations, this degree will teach you to be an effective environmental scientist and natural resource manager, helping you to meet the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing us this century.

Single degree

  • This degree requires 144 units
  • A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
  • A minimum of 30 units 3000 level Science courses
  • One Science major (48 units) from a pre-selected list
  • One Science minor, or a second Science major (24 units/ 48 units) from a pre-selected list
  • Other courses from the Science course list or another ANU College (maximum non-science allowed 48 units)

Double degree

  • This degree requires 96 units Science courses
  • A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level Science courses
  • A minimum of 30 units 3000 level Science courses
  • One Science major (48 units) from a pre-selected list
  • One Science minor, or a second Science major (24 units/ 48 units) from a pre-selected list
  • Other courses from the Science course list

About this degree

Single degree

In a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability single degree program you will study a total of 144 units.  Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 courses across your whole degree.

You'll need to take one Science major (8 courses) and one Science minor (or specialisation) (4 courses) from a pre-selected list for this degree, and four Science electives (4 courses).  You can also choose to complete 2 Science majors (16 courses) from the list instead.  You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU (science or non-science courses).  You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Science subject, such as history or marketing.

Double degree

In a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability double degree program you will study a total of 96 units of Science course.  Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree.  However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Science degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.

You'll need to take one Science major (8 courses) and one Science minor (or specialisation) (4 courses) from a pre-selected list for this degree, and four Science electives (4 courses). You can also choose to complete 2 Science majors (16 courses) from the list instead.

Study Options

The maximum period for completion of the degree program is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the program. The 10 years includes periods of leave.

Enrolment Status

It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses.  These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as SCNC1234.

  • A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.
  • You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
  • You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
  • You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Science major from the list.
  • You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Science minor or a second potential Science major from the list.

You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.  But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Environment and Sustainability half of the double degree.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

A course can only ever be counted toward one major or minor.

Exception: A maximum of 12 units of 1000 level courses can count toward two majors that share common first year requirements.

You can find a list of Majors and Minors for this program on Program and Courses, under the ‘Study’ tab on the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability webpage.

If you aren’t sure what you want to study for your whole degree, that’s fine. You don’t need to commit to majors or minors until after your first year.  Using electives can help to keep your options open.

To choose courses for majors and minors, view the Science majors and minors available on the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability webpage that interest you and enrol in the first year courses (1000 level).

Electives

Remember you can choose up to 8 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability program.

Study Options

Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability – single degree

This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units 1000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 1000 level course Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
1000 level course Science Major from list 6 units Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units

Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability - double degree

This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability with another three year degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units 1000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 1000 level course Science minor from list 6 units Degree B course 6 units Degree B course 6 units
1000 level course Science Major from list 6 units 1000 level course Science minor from list 6 units Degree B course 6 units Degree B course 6 units

Academic Advice

For further information, you can:


Back to the top

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions