University of Adelaide

What you'll study

The programme is delivered within the Bachelor of Arts framework and builds a broad social-science foundation alongside specialised units in environmental management. Core themes include environmental policy and governance, sustainability and development, environmental ethics, and community and stakeholder engagement. You will study modules that introduce environmental systems and the socio-political context of environmental decision-making, and you can choose electives that align with interests such as indigenous land management, environmental law, climate change policy and urban sustainability.

• Core topics: environmental governance and policy, sustainability theory, environmental impact assessment, resource management and planning.
• Practical skills: project design and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, communication for sustainability, introductory geographic information systems (GIS) and basic data analysis.
• Interdisciplinary options: economics for sustainability, environmental history, anthropology of the environment, and elective science units to strengthen understanding of ecological and physical processes where available.
• Capstone and fieldwork: project-based capstone units and fieldwork or community placements give hands-on experience in applying management approaches in real-world contexts.

The degree structure follows the standard Bachelor of Arts format, allowing you to combine the Environmental Management major with other majors or minors in the humanities, social sciences or languages. An honours year or postgraduate conversion is available for students who wish to undertake a research-intensive pathway.

Entry requirements

Admission is through the University of Adelaide's undergraduate entry process. Domestic applicants typically need a competitive secondary school qualification (such as the SACE/ATAR or equivalent) with satisfactory achievement in English. Mature-age applicants and those with prior tertiary study may be eligible on the basis of previous academic results or recognised work experience.

International applicants must meet the university's English language proficiency requirements (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent) and provide certified academic transcripts from their secondary education or recognised qualifications. Specific assumed knowledge or prerequisites may apply for certain electives; consult the faculty for advice on subject choices if you are still completing secondary studies.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme leave with the analytical, communication and project skills required for a range of roles in the environmental and sustainability sectors. Common career paths include:

• environmental policy or program officer in local, state or federal government;
• sustainability officer or corporate social responsibility coordinator in industry and business;
• environmental or community engagement consultant for NGOs and consultancies;
• natural resource and land management roles with industry groups, parks agencies and community organisations;
• further study in environmental science, environmental law, planning or research degrees leading to specialist technical or academic careers.

The degree's emphasis on communication, stakeholder engagement and interdisciplinary thinking also prepares graduates for roles in advocacy, policy analysis and program evaluation across sectors.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers an interdisciplinary approach to environmental management that draws on strengths across social sciences, humanities and environmental research. Students benefit from access to field-based learning opportunities in South Australia, partnerships with industry and government, and opportunities to undertake practical placements with community and conservation organisations.

The university's research centres and institutes provide pathways to research-led teaching, and the flexible Bachelor of Arts structure makes it straightforward to combine environmental management study with complementary disciplines such as economics, planning, Indigenous studies or languages. This combination supports graduates who need both contextual understanding and practical skills to address contemporary environmental challenges.