Our rankings
We're ranked 19th globally for life sciences by the 2022 QS University Rankings by Subject.
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th globally for employability by the 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
With its flexibility in subject choice, the half-year Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science is the perfect option for a new graduate keen to kick-start their career, or a professional looking to up-skill or gain formal qualifications.
Including core studies in advanced water resources management, principles of ecology for environmental scientists, and the sources and uses of energy and alternatives, the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science provides you with the ability to solve environmental problems that require the integration of knowledge from diverse disciplines.
By the end of the half-year course, graduates will possess a practical and theoretical background in some of the basic aspects of environmental science. You can choose to build on this by continuing on to the graduate diploma, or even higher to the master's course.
The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science student is taught by leading experts at the University of Sydney, which has been top-ranked for Environmental Science and Management in the world (Excellence in Research for Australia evaluations for 2018). Our graduates leave with a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base and the ability to apply their knowledge with flexibility and innovation as leaders in the workplace.
Articulated courses
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
Late applications may be considered subject to availability of places. We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science complete 24 credit points made up of three core units of study (6cp) and one elective units of study (18cp). The course may be completed on a full time or part time basis. Full time study can normally be completed over the course of 1 semester, with 4 units taken over that semester. Your individual study plan will depend on the availability of particular units in a given semester.
Sample study plan:
Year |
Sem |
Unit of study |
Unit of study |
Unit of study |
Unit of study |
|
1 |
1 |
ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry |
ENVI5705 |
ENVI5801 |
Elective unit |
Elective units cover disciplines that include agriculture, environmental science, geography, government, marine science, sustainability, resource economics, and wildlife management.
For admission into this course, you should have:
As part of the embedded program, upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science, students may gain entry to the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science through an internal "upgrade".
The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Handbooks Online and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents.
Environmental scientists work in roles such as:
Within Australia, our graduates have acquired jobs in federal, state and local government bodies including State Forests NSW, the Roads and Transport Authority, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, as well as with private consultancies/
