- Length 3 years full-time
- Minimum 144 Units
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IB 30
- Which applies to me?
- Academic plan BENSU
- CRICOS code 091180D
- UAC code
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Mode of delivery
- Internal
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.
Note: Advice on this page is indicative only. Where a number of courses has been identified, it assumes that all of your courses are 6-units. If you take a course worth 12-units please refer to the unit-load in the study requirements in the program orders.
This degree can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD).When the Bachelor of Science is combined with another undergraduate degree through a Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time) depending on the duration of the other program.
Semester 2 commencers
Please note that if you are commencing your studies in Semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. If you have concerns, please contact students.cos@anu.edu.au. Advisory sessions will be held the week before semester commences.
Single degree
The Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability 144 units (24 courses), including:
- A maximum of 10 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 5 x 3000-level courses from courses listed in the core requirements and specialisations in the BENSU
- 6 x compulsory courses
- A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the course requirements)
- 2 x courses chosen from ENVS2015. ENVS2018, ENVS3007, ENVS3902
- 2 x courses from the foundational list
- 1 x specialisation listed in the BENSU
- A maximum of 10 courses from the lists in the BENSU not previously taken or other ANU electives
Double degree
The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination eg.
- 4050: 192 units
- 4350, 4569, 4750: 240 units
Of which a minimum of 2 courses must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.
The Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability component of an FDD requires 96 units, including:
- A maximum of 6 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 5 x 3000-level courses from courses listed in the core requirements and specialisations in the BENSU
- 6 x compulsory courses
- A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the course requirements)
- 2 x courses chosen from ENVS2015. ENVS2018, ENVS3007, ENVS3902
- 2 x courses from the foundational list
- 1 x specialisation listed in the BENSU
- A maximum of 2 courses from the lists in the BENSU not previously taken or other ANU electives
About this degree
Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving courses
In this degree, you will
have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as Transdisciplinary
Problem-Solving (TD). TD courses can be identified using the Programs and
Courses search engine.
In the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, this requirement will be satisfied
through ENVS1008 and ENVS3040.
Enrolment Status
Duration
The Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units.
In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken.
- If you combine the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses) depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree .
Domestic students may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time.
If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete.
International students on a student visa are required to enrol in a
full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer,
Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been
approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.
Maximum time for completion
- The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability degree is ten years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This ten years includes any periods of leave.
- The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is ten years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.
A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will
reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree.
When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end
date for your degree in your credit offer.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
There are 2 compulsory 1000 level courses you must take in your first year:
You will also need to take 2 x courses from the foundational course list. Please note:
- BIOL1003, CHEM1101, ENVS1001, EMSC1006 and SCOM1001 are all offered in Semester 1.
- ENVS1004 is offered in Semester 2.
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.
Electives
Remember you can choose up to 10 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability program.You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a non-environment subject, such as philosophy, history or computing. The choice is yours.
How do I use my electives?
Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc).
We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.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 | ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research 6 units | ENVS1008 Fundamentals of Environment and Sustainability 6 units | 1000 level BENSU foundational course list 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units |
| 1000 level BENSU foundational course list 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 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 | ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research 6 units | ENVS1008 Fundamentals of Environment and Sustainability 6 units | Degree B course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units |
| BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units | ANU elective course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units |
Academic Advice
For further information, you can:
- Visit the Fenner School of Environment & Society webpage here, or
- Download the Science first year course guide available here, or
- View the information at our New commencers & first year students page, or
- Email us at students.cos@anu.edu.au, or
- Come and talk to someone - you can make an appointment with an academic advisor here.