Learn how to turn your passion for sustainability into a rewarding career where you can make a difference within communities and regions, in both Australia and overseas.
Our major in Sustainable Development aims to train you as the next generation of sustainability leaders for world-changing work in Australia and overseas.
You’ll get to explore the environmental, economic, social and cultural dimensions of sustainability, and develop a wide range of much-needed green skills.
Areas covered includes urban and rural sustainability, sustainability ethics and economics, and sustainable lifestyles and behaviour change. Our emphasis is on giving you the sustainability expertise needed to ‘make a difference’ within communities and regions and at the global level.
3 reasons to study Sustainable Development at Murdoch
Study a course with a great reputation, responsible for training sustainability professionals and change agents since 2000.
Take on sustainability volunteering experience which will count towards your academic credits.
Work with local and international organisations on real projects as part of our work integrated learning program.
What you’ll learn
Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. In this course you will:
Build extensive knowledge of the history and evolution of sustainable development thinking and practice.
Apply a wide range of sustainable development principles and practices at the local, regional and global levels.
Develop understanding in topics such as sustainable tourism, urban communities and overseas aid.
Your future career
When you graduate with a degree in Sustainable Development, you could pursue a range of careers with state and federal government agencies, non-governmental organisations (known as NGOs) or businesses. Careers could include:
Select which option best describes your path to university :
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses
Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subjectMUPC (1 Trimester)Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation CourseIntroduction to Academic Communication unitFoundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
University study
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Enabling courses (after Year 12)
Successful completion of one of the following:
OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University.
Murdoch FlexiTrack High program in Year 12.
TLC – Learning for Tomorrow in Year 12.
An enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Successful completion of the course.
Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subjectMUPC (1 Trimester)Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation CourseIntroduction to Academic Communication unitFoundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
University study
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Enabling courses (after Year 12)
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University.
Murdoch FlexiTrack High program in Year 12.
TLC – Learning for Tomorrow in Year 12.
An enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of the course.
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Total score of 24 or higher.
Higher level (HL): 3 or better.
Standard Level (SL): 4 or better.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
GCE A Levels
Aggregate of 6 points from:
A maximum
of the best three A-level subjects; OR
A combination
of A-level and AS-level subjects
At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation
AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be
included
A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1)
AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)
A Levels: D in one of the following:
English Language
English Literature
Knowledge and Inquiry.
AS Level: C in one of the following:
English Language
English Literature
Knowledge and Inquiry
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
CPS 54 or higher.
50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
VET course studied at school
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Extenuating circumstances
We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course.Find out more.
Case-by-case assessment.
Overseas Year 12
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
English
English Extension (Literature)
English for ESL Learners.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
70
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement
Total score of 24 or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Higher level (HL): 3 or better.
Standard Level (SL): 4 or better.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement
Aggregate of 6 points from:
A maximum
of the best three A-level subjects; OR
A combination
of A-level and AS-level subjects
At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation
AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be
included
A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1)
AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)
Minimum English requirement
A Levels: D in one of the following:
English Language
English Literature
Knowledge and Inquiry.
AS Level: C in one of the following:
English Language
English Literature
Knowledge and Inquiry
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement
CPS 54 or higher.
Minimum English requirement
50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
VET course studied at school
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement
We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course.Find out more.
Minimum English requirement
Case-by-case assessment.
Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement
Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Minimum English requirement
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
English
English Extension (Literature)
English for ESL Learners.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement
70
Minimum English requirement
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Certificate IV AQF level 4
Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Certificate IV AQF level 4
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only).
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only).
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement
MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information.
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only).
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement
Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only).
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
As per normal undergraduate admission requirements.
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to
complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
Murdoch RISE is a selection rank adjustment, as part of our commitment to helping students from regional, Indigenous and low socio-economic backgrounds gain university entry.
If you achieve an ATAR of 60.00 - 89.95, a Murdoch RISE adjustment factor of up to 10.00 points may help you get into your preferred course. Murdoch RISE can increase your selection rank up to a maximum of 90.00.
There’s no application or need to register. If you are eligible, the adjustment factor is automatically added to your raw ATAR score when you apply.
Advanced Standing
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to
complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.
Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student
as well as what's available throughout your degree.
Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.
Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.
If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship. Our International Welcome Scholarship offers eligible students between $8,000 and $11,000, depending on the course you study.
The Australian Government also offers scholarships to students from developing countries through the Australia Awards Scholarship program.
Explore our scholarships and find out if you’re eligible to apply.
