Postgraduate

Master of Environmental Science

Experience an interdisciplinary approach to Environmental Science with a specialisation in Environmental Management, Marine and Coastal, Catchments and Water, Environmental Rehabilitation, Sensing and Environmental Data or Environmental Economics.
1.5-2
Years Full Time
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The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

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131 UWA (131 892)

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(+61 8) 6488 1000

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

Graduates from the Master of Environmental Science may find career opportunities in a range of areas including environmental consulting firms, Commonwealth and state agencies responsible for the environment, water, conservation, agriculture and food, and primary industries. Other employers are private sector firms working in the resources sector and non-government organisations. Our specialisations have been designed in consultation with the industry to ensure graduates are highly competent and sought-after in their chosen field. One of the fastest growing areas of demand within the environmental sciences is for professionals with expertise in Geographical Information Science and how this can be applied to support environmental management. 
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Career Pathways

Graduates from the Master of Environmental Science may find career opportunities in a range of areas including environmental consulting firms, Commonwealth and state agencies responsible for the environment, water, conservation, agriculture and food, and primary industries. Other employers are private sector firms working in the resources sector and non-government organisations. Our specialisations have been designed in consultation with the industry to ensure graduates are highly competent and sought-after in their chosen field. One of the fastest growing areas of demand within the environmental sciences is for professionals with expertise in Geographical Information Science and how this can be applied to support environmental management. 

Further Study

Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research. Find out about our world-class research at UWA Science Global.
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Further Study

Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research. Find out about our world-class research at UWA Science Global.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

Annual course fee
2024
$46,900.00
2025
$49,500.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree, or equivalent as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) met the prerequisite for the chosen specialisation
(2) For the Environmental Management or Environmental Economics specialisations an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either science, engineering, economics, natural resource management, urban and regional planning, or policy studies; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(3) For the Catchments and Water or Environmental Rehabilitation or Sensing and Data Science specialisations an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either earth, environmental, engineering, biological or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(4) For the Marine and Coastal specialisation an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either marine, environmental, engineering, biological or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
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Admission Requirements

(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree, or equivalent as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) met the prerequisite for the chosen specialisation
(2) For the Environmental Management or Environmental Economics specialisations an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either science, engineering, economics, natural resource management, urban and regional planning, or policy studies; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(3) For the Catchments and Water or Environmental Rehabilitation or Sensing and Data Science specialisations an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either earth, environmental, engineering, biological or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(4) For the Marine and Coastal specialisation an applicant must have completed prior studies at a tertiary level in either marine, environmental, engineering, biological or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
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Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

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Course details

The course seeks to create sought after professionals who have the knowledge and practical skills to manage and solve environmental challenges, from local to global, now and into the future. Tap into UWA's long history of multidisciplinary research into environmental systems, and benefit from our unique experience in identifying innovative technology and policy based solutions. 

About the course

The course is highly inter-disciplinary, providing students with a rigorous understanding of environmental processes, in parallel to studies in environmental policy and management approaches. Throughout the course students gain important skills in data analysis and interpretation, lab and field methods, plus GIS and remote sensing.
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About the course

The course is highly inter-disciplinary, providing students with a rigorous understanding of environmental processes, in parallel to studies in environmental policy and management approaches. Throughout the course students gain important skills in data analysis and interpretation, lab and field methods, plus GIS and remote sensing. Importantly, you will become an innovative thinker who can critically assess advanced research in your chosen area of specialisation, and integrate this with your knowledge of policy and cutting-edge technologies, to identify solutions for ensuring the long-term sustainability of our environment.
Master of Environmental Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • Please refer to the UWA Handbook
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 72530
CRICOS code
  • 074951G
View full details
Master of Environmental Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • Please refer to the UWA Handbook
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 72530
CRICOS code
  • 074951G
Full time/part time duration
  • 2 years
Degrees course is available in
  • Master of Environmental Science
Master of Environmental Science

Specialisations

  • Catchments and Water: Sustainable land and river basin management 
  • Environmental Rehabilitation: Repairing degraded environments 
  • Environmental Economics: Integrating economics and science to improve environmental outcomes 
  • Environmental Management: Devising policies and strategies for sustainable environments
  • Marine and Coastal Management: Integrated coastal zone management and protection
  • Sensing and Spatial Data Science: GIS, remote sensing and data analytics 
Master of Environmental Science

Specialisations

infographic showing the five areas of the master of environmental science (environmental management, marine and coastal, catchments and water, environmental rehabilitation, sensing and environmental data)

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Course structure details

Course structure details

Core
Take all units (12 points):
Option
For students in course by coursework only take 12 points.
Option
For student in course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units (24 points):
Catchments and Water specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points from option group A or B.
Environmental Economics specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
For students in course by coursework only, take 2 unit(s) to the value of 12 points from option group A or B:
Environmental Management specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points from option group A or B.
Environmental Rehabilitation specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points from option group A or B.
Marine and Coastal Management specialisation
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Take all units (24 points):
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points from option group A or B.
Sensing and Spatial Data Science specialisation
Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.
Take all units (24 points):
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
For students in course by coursework only, take 2 unit(s) to the value of 12 points from option group A or B.
Postgraduate studies

Master of Environmental Science

Master of Environmental Science

The Master of Environmental Science program at UWA has been designed to make sure our graduates are at the forefront of this rapidly changing sector.

More about the School of Agriculture and Environment

Why study Environmental Science?

  • The scope and scale of pressures on our terrestrial and aquatic environments requires interdisciplinary and innovative solutions to support sustainable development. 

  • You will gain in-depth knowledge of physical, chemical and ecological processes on local and regional scales, gaining advanced skills in the monitoring and assessment of environmental systems using field, laboratory, modelling and statistical techniques. 

  • Our graduates are exposed to diverse environmental settings and have hands-on opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to a diversity of real-world environmental issues. 

  • You will develop the necessary professional skills to facilitate and guide government agencies and private companies to develop sustainable outcomes.

Why study Environmental Science?

Ranked 3RD in Australia and 44th in the world for Environmental Science and Engineering (GRAS 2024)
Number Number
Ranked 1st in Australia for Soil Sciences (The Australian’s 2025 Research magazine).
Study your way

Course options

The course is comprised of two core units common to all students, and four specialisation core units for each of the six specialisations. You can choose a dissertation option, or our Environmental Science in Practice professional skills units.  
Study your way

Course options

Student Story

Amy Radha Vidyuth

Student Amy Vidyuth talking in front of UWA pond about her experience as an international student studying the Master of Environmental Science

Amy Radha Vidyuth

Hear from International student Amy Radha Vidyuth on why she loved studying in Perth at The University of Western Australia (UWA). Amy is from India and studied a Master of Environmental Science at UWA.

More about the School of Agriculture and Environment
Facility

Remotely Piloted Aerial Sensing Platform

The Remotely Piloted Aerial Sensing Platform provides the latest in drone and sensing equipment to support UWA students and researchers.

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Facility

Remotely Piloted Aerial Sensing Platform

UWA’s Remote Aerial Sensing Platform provides operational infrastructure, expertise, support and advice for drone and environmental sensing. The facility provides the capacity for research collaboration, brings expertise and licencing to a UWA research group, and makes drones, sensors and other equipment available for other external projects.

Visit the RASP webpage