CourseMaster's Degree (Coursework)MEnvSus

S6002 Master of Environment and Sustainability

Faculty of Science

Master of Environment and Sustainability (S6002) is a 2 years full-time, 96-credit-point, master's degree (coursework) course from the Faculty of Science, taught at Clayton. In 2025 you can choose from 5 specialisations. Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.

Credit points
96
Duration
2 years full time
4 years part time
Campus
Clayton
On campus

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.

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Requisite map

Overview

The Master of Environment and Sustainability is a forward-thinking, interdisciplinary, two-year course that integrates the knowledge needed to mitigate and adapt to global change with sustainability principles. Central to its approach is an understanding of the scale of dependence of social, economic and environmental systems for effective environmental governance. Thus, the course focuses on developing a global change knowledge base and a diverse vocational skill set, and provides evidentiary and interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving.

You will choose one of five specialisations and have the opportunity to work in real-world contexts, combining theory and practice, to respond to local and international, corporate, government and social environmental concerns. As a graduate you will be strongly placed to provide strategic leadership in a wide range of settings, such as policy formulation, regulation, advice, management, extension and capacity building.

Course structure

Part A. Environment and sustainability core studies24 credit points
Part B. Specialisation preparatory studies and Part C. Specialist Studies48 credit points
Part D. Advanced practice24 credit points
You must complete either a Research pathway or Coursework and project/internship.

Coursework and project/internship

24 credit points
The handbook's description of this structure

The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Environment and sustainability core studies, Part B. Specialisation preparatory studies, Part C. Specialist studies, and Part D. Advanced practice.

Part A. Environment and sustainability core studies

In these studies you will develop an understanding of the interactions and interdependence between nature, society and the economy, and the basic principles of sustainability (social, economic and environmental).

Part B. Specialisation preparatory studies

These studies will introduce you to advanced undergraduate or graduate level studies in your specialisation. They are intended for students whose previous qualification (or experience) is not in a cognate field to the specialisation. These studies will develop the discipline knowledge and skills required to study the specialisation of your choice.

Part C. Specialist studies

In this part you will develop expertise in one specialist area of environment and sustainability, and the research skills or knowledge needed either to undertake independent research or for the capacity to work and communicate across the borders of discipline, context or culture.

Part D. Advanced practice

In this part you will undertake professional or scholarly work that will contribute to a portfolio of professional development in your area of specialisation. You have two options:

  • a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests. This option includes the opportunity to undertake an internship in the field or an interdisciplinary project.
  • a 24 credit point research thesis. If you wish to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research you should take this second option.

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

  • If you are admitted at entry level 1 you complete 96 credit points, comprising Parts A, B, C and D
  • If you are admitted at entry level 2 you complete 72 credit points, comprising Parts A, C and D
  • If you are admitted at entry level 3 you complete 48 credit points, comprising Parts A and C.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 96 points structured into four parts: Part A. Environment and sustainability core studies (24 points), Part B. Specialisation preparatory studies (24 points), Part C. Specialist studies (24 points), and Part D. Advanced practice (24 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Environment and sustainability core studies (24 points)

You must complete the following units:

  • ENS5010 Global challenges and sustainability (12 points)
  • ENS5020 Perspectives on sustainability (12 points)


Part B. Specialisation preparatory studies (24 points) and Part C. Specialist Studies (24 points)

You must complete one of the following specialisations:
 
  • Corporate environmental and sustainability management

  • Environment and governance

  • Environmental security

  • International development and environment

  • Leadership for sustainable development

Part D. Advanced practice (24 points)

You must complete either the Research pathway or Coursework and project/internship.

Research pathway (24 points)

You must complete the following units:

  • ENS5901 Research thesis in environment and sustainability A (12 points)
  • ENS5902 Research thesis in environment and sustainability B (12 points)


Coursework and project/internship (24 points)

You must complete one of the following units and 12 credit points from the electives in your relevant specialisation

  • ENS5910 Sustainability Consultancy Project (12 points)
  • ENS5920 Environment and sustainability project (12 points)
  • ENS5930 Sustainability Internship (12 points)

Areas of study

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

  1. 1

    evaluate, analyse and integrate knowledge of global change and sustainability and the interdependence of society, the economy and the environment

  2. 2

    evaluate, analyse and integrate approaches to environment and sustainability within their specialisations, including environmental security, international development, leadership, policy and governance or business management

  3. 3

    apply expert, specialised cognitive, research, technical and communication skills to analyse and design solutions to environment and sustainability problems

  4. 4

    reflect and participate constructively in ethical decision making consistent with sustainability principles.

  5. 5

    In addition, depending on the specialisation chosen:
    Corporate environmental and sustainability management students will be able to:
    demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of global environmental, social and economic issues facing business and the key sustainability management theories, concepts and principles

  6. 6

    apply expert skills and specialised knowledge of the key sustainability management theories, concepts and principles to critically evaluate the global environmental, social and economic issues facing business.

  7. 7

    Environment and governance students will be able to:
    demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of key environmental challenges and environmental policy and management approaches to address these challenges

  8. 8

    apply expert skills and specialised knowledge to critically evaluate environmental policy and management approaches and the design and implementation of fit for purpose policy and management approaches.

  9. 9

    Environmental security students will be able to:
    demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of the biological, chemical, and physical basis of global environmental change, its impacts on the natural environment and its implications for society

  10. 10

    apply expert skills and specialised knowledge to analyse and interpret the science required for policy and environmental management within the field of environmental security.

  11. 11

    International development and environment students will be able to:
    demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of the theory and practice of international development, and frameworks for understanding the environmental impacts of development

  12. 12

    apply expert skills and specialised knowledge to analyse the causes of poverty, disadvantage and environmental change, and plan and implement international development projects and programs.

  13. 13

    Leadership for sustainable development students will be able to:
    demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge tools, mechanisms and skills required to influence and lead change processes to enhance positive environmental, economic and social outcomes for sustainability

  14. 14

    apply expert skills and specialised knowledge of critical drivers of individual behaviour affecting sustainability practice to analyse and to design solutions to target these drivers.

Entry requirements

English language

Monash Level A, that is:  IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6.0); or Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 58 overall with no band lower than 50; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 79 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 21, Listening: 12, Reading: 13 and Speaking: 18; or Equivalent approved English test

More information

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a graduate research degree. You will need to demonstrate a strong academic record and undertake the 24 credit point research project in Part D.

Other information

The Master of Environment and Sustainability is a forward-thinking, interdisciplinary, two-year course that integrates the knowledge needed to mitigate and adapt to global change with sustainability principles. Central to its approach is an understanding of the scale of dependence of social, economic and environmental systems for effective environmental governance. Thus, the course focuses on developing a global change knowledge base and a diverse vocational skill set, and provides evidentiary and interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving.

You will choose one of five specialisations and have the opportunity to work in real-world contexts, combining theory and practice, to respond to local and international, corporate, government and social environmental concerns. As a graduate you will be strongly placed to provide strategic leadership in a wide range of settings, such as policy formulation, regulation, advice, management, extension and capacity building.

Contacts

Academic Coordinator
Professor Bob Wong

Common questions

How long is Master of Environment and Sustainability?

2 years full time, 96 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 4 semesters of full-time study.

What specialisations can I take in Master of Environment and Sustainability?

5 specialisations in 2025, including Corporate environmental and sustainability management; Environment and governance; Environmental security; International development and environment; and Leadership for sustainable development.

Where can I study Master of Environment and Sustainability?

At Clayton.

How do I plan my Master of Environment and Sustainability units?

Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.

Course details

Qualification
Master's Degree (Coursework)
AQF level
Level 9
Credit points
96
Full time
2 Years
Part time
4 Years
Maximum time
6 years
Faculty
Faculty of Science
CRICOS code
089231E
Abbreviation
MEnvSus
Award title
Master of Environment and Sustainability
Handbook years
2020202120222023202420252026