University of Adelaide

What you'll study

The degree blends core social science and policy units with climate and sustainability topics. You will study the causes and consequences of climate change, how policy and governance shape mitigation and adaptation, and the social, economic and ethical dimensions of sustainability.

• Core topics: climate change science and evidence; sustainability theory; environmental governance; public policy and decision-making; research methods in social and environmental sciences.
• Politics and policy: comparative environmental politics; climate policy design and evaluation; international climate negotiations; law and regulation for environmental management.
• Applied skills: stakeholder engagement and communication; policy analysis and modelling; program evaluation; project management for sustainability initiatives.
• Contextual and elective options: energy transitions; urban and regional sustainability; Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship; biodiversity and natural resource management; environmental economics.
• Capstone and practical experience: a research project or industry placement provides opportunity to apply policy analysis to real-world climate and sustainability problems.

The programme is typically structured as a three-year undergraduate degree, with the option in some cases to pursue an additional honours year or combined degrees. Assessment commonly includes essays, policy briefs, group projects, presentations and a final capstone or research minor.

Entry requirements

Entry is based on completion of recognised secondary school qualifications or equivalent tertiary study. Domestic applicants usually need a satisfactory secondary certificate and a selection rank (such as an ATAR) that meets the University’s threshold for undergraduate degrees; international applicants must satisfy equivalent secondary qualification and English language proficiency requirements.

• Successful completion of senior secondary studies or an approved alternative (including recognised international secondary qualifications).
• English language proficiency at the level required by the University for undergraduate admission.
• Applicants with previous tertiary study, vocational qualifications or relevant work experience may be eligible for admission on the basis of that study or experience.
• Some preparation in social sciences, humanities or mathematics/statistics is advantageous but not usually mandatory.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for careers where understanding the intersection of politics, policy and climate science is important. Typical roles include:

• Climate and sustainability policy advisor or analyst in federal, state and local government agencies
• Sustainability officer or manager in business, utilities and industry
• Analyst or campaigner in non-government organisations and advocacy groups
• Consultant in environmental and climate change consultancies, including risk and adaptation services
• Research assistant or continuing to postgraduate study in public policy, environmental science, law or climate-related disciplines

Skill areas that employers value include policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, evidence synthesis, communication and project management. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree also provides a foundation for careers in media, community engagement, and international organisations focused on climate and sustainability.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability and climate politics with opportunities to learn from researchers and practitioners across social sciences, law and environmental science. Students can connect with the University's Environment Institute and other research centres focused on climate adaptation and sustainability, which inform teaching and provide avenues for project work.

• Strong links with government, industry and non-government organisations in Adelaide and nationally, supporting internships and applied projects.
• Access to interdisciplinary teaching that integrates policy analysis, governance and climate science.
• Opportunities for fieldwork, community engagement and supervised research projects that build practical skills sought by employers.
• Study in South Australia’s capital, offering a policy and innovation environment with active climate and sustainability initiatives.