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The information below will be relevant from 14/07/2025.
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CM82 - Master of Sustainable Development

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

The Master of Sustainable Development is designed for professionals seeking to become leaders in the field of sustainability. This comprehensive course offers a holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing environmental, social and economic dimensions. You will delve into advanced topics including sustainable resource management, policy analysis and corporate sustainability strategies. 

A distinctive feature of this course is the practical residential school, where you will gain hands-on skills and insights from industry experts. This immersive experience allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges, enhancing your practical understanding of sustainable practices. The curriculum is designed to foster innovative solutions and critical thinking, preparing graduates to drive sustainable development agendas, influence policy and implement impactful initiatives in diverse sectors globally.

 

Career Information

With a Master of Sustainable Development, you will be ready for leadership and senior advisory roles in sustainability. You will be positioned for careers as a sustainability manager, policy advisor or strategic planner, working in sectors like environmental management, disaster management, corporate sustainability, climate change mitigation and public health. You’ll be equipped to influence policy, lead development projects and drive systemic change across industries.

Course Details
Duration 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 96
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) MSustDev
AQF Level Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework)

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes 		Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes 		Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 3 - 2025

Melbourne
Online

Term 2 - 2025

Melbourne
Online
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International Availability

Term 3 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Academic Requirements

Entry Requirements 

To be eligible for entry into this course, you must demonstrate:

  • a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor degree, or higher equivalent qualification.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the University. 

You are required to provide documentation confirming completion of: 

  • a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or 
  • a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or Diploma level qualification, or 
  • a Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0. 

These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or 
  • a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT overall score of at least 75 with no score less than 17 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall score of at least 54 with no score less than 46 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or 
  • an Occupational English Test with a minimum result of 'B' in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate. 

If you are an international student, please visit the English requirements for international students page for further information. 

Each application will be assessed individually. 

Assumed Knowledge

It is recommended that students have completed a degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. environment, science, sustainability, public health). 

Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CM84 - Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development CM83 - Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Development
Accreditation
  • Not applicable

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School Attendance at a compulsory residential school is required.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Predicted Enrolments

Year Number of Students
First Year 40
Second year 70
Third Year 100
Inherent Requirements
There are currently no inherent requirements associated with this course.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Communicate complex ideas and concepts in a variety of formats to diverse audiences
  • 2. Critically analyse local and international perspectives relevant to environmental management and sustainability concepts
  • 3. Critically evaluate current issues and challenges in environmental management and sustainability
  • 4. Formulate solutions for a range of contemporary worldwide sustainable practice problems
  • 5. Critique the concepts, policies and practices that influence the current environment for policymakers and other environmental managers
  • 6. Appraise specialised and interdisciplinary approaches to address sustainability challenges in environmental, social, economic, governance and Indigenous perspectives
  • 7. Exhibit professional autonomy, ethical decision-making and a commitment to continuous learning in advancing sustainable practices across diverse settings
  • 8. Integrate expert practical experience to analyse, design and implement sustainable solutions in real-world contexts.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.