Postgraduate Course

Master of Sustainable Development

Explore leading sustainability practices and policy related to energy, water use, waste, climate change, biodiversity, urban planning and much more with a Master of Sustainable Development at Murdoch. 

What type of student are you?

Murdoch code
M1214
Study mode
Full Time or Part Time
Duration
2
Selection rank
CRICOS code
072141B
First year fee (domestic)
$17,280
First year fee (international)
$34,320
Full course fee (domestic)
$34,560
Full course fee (international)
$68,640
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The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Overview

Real change can happen when tomorrow’s sustainable development leaders come together to share their experiences, ideas and insights – and for over a decade our sustainability Masters have been doing just that. In taking the course, you’ll become part of a much-valued group of sustainability professionals who are making a difference within Australia and around the world.

You’ll examine global sustainability challenges and explore inspiring solutions at international, regional and local levels. You’ll learn about urban and regional sustainability, climate change adaptation, sustainability education and ethics, and take a closer look at sustainability and international development within Asia.

You could choose professional-based electives to specialise in project and risk management, ethics, sustainability within businesses, and leading and managing non-government organisations. You might choose policy-based electives to specialise in environmental impact assessment, environmental policy and energy policy.

3 reasons to study a Master of Sustainable Development at Murdoch

  1. As you study, you’ll have the chance to build your professional portfolio of work, completing an internship or practical project for academic credit. Past students have interned with local governments, leading sustainability businesses such as The Forever Project and NGOs such as Perth City Farm.
  2. You’ll be taught by leading academics who are involved in important sustainable development projects within Australia and overseas. Our experts are working on important development projects, from aid projects in Africa and Asia, to leading sustainability initiatives in the Middle East.
  3. Follow in the footsteps of other Murdoch free-thinkers who are making a difference and leading the sustainability agenda globally and within Australia. Our graduates have gone on to work at Ikea, Uber and EY.

What you'll learn

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

  • Sustainability ecology and communities
  • Community, industry and local government
  • Cultures, communities and sustainability in Asia
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Cities and sustainability
  • Environmental policy for the 21st Century
  • Project and risk management

Your future career

You’ll graduate with the skills, knowledge and professional insights you need to lead sustainable development teams and projects within international and Australian businesses, government agencies, and non-government organisations. Careers could include:

  • Sustainability or Environmental Officer within business or government
  • Community Development Officer
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Sustainability Educator
  • Eco-preneur (starting and leading green businesses)

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Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Total credit points: 48

Unit code Unit name Credit points
Course Core48 credit points
Required Units21 credit points
AST650Culture, Communities and Sustainability in Asia3
COD505Community, Industry and Local Government3
ENV536Education for Sustainability3
SUS512Sustainability, Ecology and Communities3
SUS523Cities and Sustainability3
SUS611Resilient Regions: People and Practice3
SUS628Development and Sustainability3
Specified Elective Units27 credit points
Dissertation27 credit points
Required Units15 credit points
ART610Masters by Coursework Research Dissertation12
DEV600Doing Research for Development3
Specified Elective Units12 credit points
ART504Research Proposal and Design3
OR
ART505Literature Review3
OR
ART506Advanced Writing for Research and Publication3
OR
ART600Special Project3
OR
BIO688Challenges in Food Security 6
OR
COD501Foundations and Formation of Community Practice3
OR
COD603Contemporary Practice in Community Development3
OR
COD608Professional Placement6
OR
CRE500Filmmaking for Development3
OR
DEV500Child Development in Families and Communities3
OR
ENV601Coastal Policy and Management3
OR
ENV616Environmental Policy for the 21st Century3
OR
ENV680Climate Change Adaptation: Ecosystems and Societies3
OR
GOV5111Critical Approaches to Development6
OR
GOV6041Corruption and Anti-corruption6
OR
GRD5031Design Thinking Tools3
OR
HIS500Social Justice3
OR
MBS589Social Enterprise, Social Innovation And Profit For Purpose3
OR
MBS651Leading and Managing Nonprofit Organisations3
OR
MBS662Business, Society and the Environment6
OR
MBS684Managing Strategic Risk and Projects6
OR
PEN591Energy Policy3
OR
SIK502Wandju Boodja (Welcome to Country)3
OR
SUS601Contemporary Issues in Development3
OR
SUS620Research Project3
OR
SWM621Ethics and Global Justice3
OR
TLC501Communication Skills for Postgraduate Study3
OR
TOU502Regenerative Tourism3
OR
TOU503Regenerative Community Events and Festivals3
OR
Project27 credit points
Required Units3 credit points
DEV600Doing Research for Development3
Specified Elective Units24 credit points
ART504Research Proposal and Design3
OR
ART505Literature Review3
OR
ART506Advanced Writing for Research and Publication3
OR
ART600Special Project3
OR
BIO688Challenges in Food Security 6
OR
COD501Foundations and Formation of Community Practice3
OR
COD603Contemporary Practice in Community Development3
OR
COD608Professional Placement6
OR
CRE500Filmmaking for Development3
OR
DEV500Child Development in Families and Communities3
OR
ENV601Coastal Policy and Management3
OR
ENV616Environmental Policy for the 21st Century3
OR
ENV680Climate Change Adaptation: Ecosystems and Societies3
OR
GOV5111Critical Approaches to Development6
OR
GOV6041Corruption and Anti-corruption6
OR
GRD5031Design Thinking Tools3
OR
HIS500Social Justice3
OR
MBS589Social Enterprise, Social Innovation And Profit For Purpose3
OR
MBS651Leading and Managing Nonprofit Organisations3
OR
MBS662Business, Society and the Environment6
OR
MBS684Managing Strategic Risk and Projects6
OR
PEN591Energy Policy3
OR
SIK502Wandju Boodja (Welcome to Country)3
OR
SUS601Contemporary Issues in Development3
OR
SUS620Research Project3
OR
SWM621Ethics and Global Justice3
OR
TLC501Communication Skills for Postgraduate Study3
OR
TOU502Regenerative Tourism3
OR
TOU503Regenerative Community Events and Festivals3
Progress to entry requirements
Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

Recognised Bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7) or higher, or equivalent training, though not necessarily in an area directly related to the proposed course, or satisfactory preparation through previous study or professional experience.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Other Requirements

There may be a reduction in choice of units if completing this course in the online flexible mode.

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.

Find out more

 

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.

Progress to fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

Students in a lecture theatre

Scholarships

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.

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How much will it cost?

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.

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How to apply

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Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

  • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
  • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Recommended documents (if applicable)

  1. Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
  2. Change of name documentation
  3. Marriage certificate
  4. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

  1. Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
    • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
    • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
  2. GTE documents (if applicable) - Check the GTE requirements page for further information
    • GTE Form 2
    • Personal Statement (SOP)
    • Up to date Curriculum Vitae
  3. A copy of your Passport

Recommended documents

  1. Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
  2. A copy of your visa documents (if available)
  3. A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
  4. Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
  5. Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
  6. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
How to apply
how-to-apply

All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.

The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.

For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.

Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.

The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.

The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.

All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.