Course Overview

About This Course

Lead positive change with ACU's Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability. This multi-disciplinary degree prepares students to tackle the great sustainability challenges of the future. You learn how to balance both the human and ecological needs of our planet by exploring diverse perspectives on society and the environment from across the humanities - including the geographical and environmental sciences - as well as business, law and philosophy. The course invites you to refine your passions and dive into a world of creative and applied critical thinking, Indigenous knowledge, reflexive practice and empirical evidence. If you have a strong commitment to greater equity, social and environmental justice and human dignity, this unique multi-disciplined degree will support your aspirations to advance equity and make a positive impact on the world and in our communities. Hands-on experience is built in through professional settings, integrated work-learning opportunities and community engagement initiatives, and your studies culminate in a final year local or internationally focused community engagement placement where you work directly with and contribute to the goals of a local community or organisation. To qualify for the degree you complete 240 credit points: 170 credit points of specified units covering environmental humanities and economics, human and natural geography, sociology, sustainability, climate change and research methods; 40 credit points from an arts minor or elective units; and 30 credit points of Core Curriculum and community engagement units. Students who meet the requirements may exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Liberal Arts or the Diploma in Liberal Arts. The course is offered at ACU's Melbourne and Strathfield campuses, with international intakes only on the Melbourne campus.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $15,988

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must comply with ACU's Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, which includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement. To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at Year 12, or equivalent:
- New South Wales: Assumed knowledge - 2 units of English (any) (Band 3)
- Queensland: Assumed knowledge - English (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Victoria: Prerequisites - Units 3 and 4, a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English
Indicative ATAR: 58.50 (Melbourne), 58.50 (Strathfield).
Applicants with higher education study: if you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, ACU will assign you a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration and grade point average, and prior study or relevant work experience may make you eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements. International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply for admission through their local Tertiary Admission Centre and are assessed on their performance in those studies (their ATAR or equivalent).
English language requirements:
IELTS: overall score 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and speaking and 5.5 in listening and reading
Pearson Test of English (PTE): 50, with a minimum of 50 in writing and speaking and a minimum of 42 in reading and listening
TOEFL (Academic, internet-based): total of 60, with minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 8 in reading and 7 in listening
ACU English Language Test: C (63-64%)
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): overall score 176, with a minimum score of 169 in all tests

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

This degree is designed to give key knowledge and skills relevant to many different career areas that are grappling with matters to do with environmental and social sustainability, including:
• Business
• Government
• Non-government organisations (NGOs)
• Community sector

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units52 units

ENHU170

Environmental Humanities

ENHU171

Environmental Economics

GEOG110

Exploring Natural Environments

GEOG111

Exploring Human Environments

SOCS100

Introduction to Sociology

SOCS101

Global Society and Change

ENHU271

Literature and the Environment

GEOG214

Sustainability: The Global Challenge

GEOG216

Climate Change: Past, Present and Future

ENHU270

Unsustainable: A Global History of Consumption

SOCS207

Meaning of Life: Researching Qualitatively

SOCS270

Environmental Sociology

GEOG310

Sustainable Cities and Communities

GEOG312

Mapping for a Complex World

ENHU370

The Oceanic Humanities

SOCS300

Power Wealth and Welfare: Social Issues and Policy

SOCS302

People Count: Researching Globally with Quantitative Methods

ARCH

Archaeology

BUSD

Business Studies

COMM

Communication

DRAM

Drama

DTCO

Digital Technologies (Computing)

ECON

Economics

ENGL

English

GEES

Geography, Environment and Society

GLST

Global Studies

GRDE

Graphic Design

HIST

History

MATH

Mathematics

MEMS

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

MUSC

Music

PINR

Politics and International Relations

PSYC

Psychology

SOCI

Sociology

THSD

Theological Studies

VEAM

Veterans Arts Minor

VISU

Visual Arts

YWRK

Youth Work

Bachelor of Arts

BHRTS

Bachelor of Human Rights

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

HUMA333

Social Impact in Action

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability take to complete?

The Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability at Australian Catholic University has a duration of 156 weeks.

At which campuses can I study the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability?

This course is available at two locations: the Strathfield Campus in New South Wales and the Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus in Victoria, both owned and operated by the provider.

What is the total estimated cost of the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability for international students?

The estimated total course cost for international students is AU$109,872, which consists entirely of tuition fees with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

What field of study does the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability fall under?

The course falls under the broad field of Society and Culture (Field 09), with a narrow field of Studies in Human Society (0903) and a detailed field classification of Studies in Human Society, n.e.c. (090399).

What is the CRICOS code for the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability at Australian Catholic University?

The CRICOS course code for the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability at Australian Catholic University Limited (CRICOS Provider Code: 00004G) is 117847C.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses