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The University of Adelaide

Adelaide , South Australia ,Australia

Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management

Be a voice for the environment

Responding effectively to environmental problems involves far more than applying scientific knowledge, or the ‘top-down’ regulation of people and their environments. The future of our planet relies on informed and creative thinking around policy and practice. This kind of environmental expertise is not only in high demand, but critical. 

Our six-month graduate certificate is suited to mid-career environmental management professionals looking to update their knowledge, students interested in related research and recent graduates seeking a career in the area.

What will you do?

  • Complete our core course, Environmental Planning and Governance.
  • Undertake one elective chosen from a select list that includes courses such as Environmental Impact Assessment, Regional Planning and Community Engagement.
  • Build advanced communication skills.
  • Consider innovative ways to address the signature environmental issues of our time.

Where could it take you?

A graduate certificate could be your first step towards a grad dip or masters. You might go on to negotiate environmental policy design with private businesses and government sectors. You could set up environmental programs for the public to air their concerns or better understand issues affecting them. Perhaps you’ll help implement economic incentives or decentralised solutions for better environmental planning.

Campus Information

North Terrace

The campus provides a mix of the historical and contemporary, combining old sandstone buildings with state-of-the-art teaching, learning and research facilities.

Intakes

  • Feb
  • July

Application Processing Time in Days: 10

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

There are three key steps you will need to take when addressing the selection criteria in any University of Adelaide job application:

  • Create a new document. Your statement addressing the position’s specified selection criteria should be separate from your cover letter and resume.
  • List each criterion separately. Give each a title, using exactly the same wording as appears on the Position Description (e.g. Excellent verbal communication skills).
  • Address each criterion. Under each heading, write two short paragraphs explaining how your experience, skills, education and training equip you to meet that specific requirement. Dot points are also acceptable.

Please note that failing to submit a statement addressing the selection criteria could result in your application not being considered.

Some helpful writing tips
There are a number of steps you can take when putting together your responses to increase their clarity and impact.

  • Give details of one or two specific things you’ve done that are good examples of the relevant experience or knowledge required. For example: ‘I was responsible for organising an event attended by… This involved…'
  • Preface these examples with a short overview that shows you appreciate the relevance of the specific criterion.
  • Quantify your experience (number of years worked, staff supervised, etc.). For example: ‘I delivered a presentation to an industry forum with an audience of 80 people.’
  • Where possible, indicate how successfully you meet the criterion. You could do this by referring to feedback from others, or things you've set up that are still being used. For example: ‘A report I wrote about… was endorsed by the… Committee and circulated to all stakeholders for discussion.

You could also consider using the STAR method as a structural framework when describing examples of your work. This involves describing, in the order listed here, the:

  • situation you faced
  • task required, and desired outcome
  • action you took to complete the task
  • results you achieved, and lessons you learned.

PSW Opportunity

The additional year of post study work rights is not available to international students studying in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Bachelor Degree or Masters by Coursework Degree - 2 years - 3 years (Adelaide)

Masters by Research - 3 years - 4 years (Adelaide)

PhD qualification - 4 years - 5 years (Adelaide)

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Entry to postgraduate coursework programs as a minimum requires a Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification from an approved institution as a qualification for entry.

Some of the graduate certificates and graduate diplomas that are offered may be accepted as qualifying work for entry to a Masters program, or as professional qualifications in their own right.

IELTS Overall 6.5 Reading 6.5 Listening 6.5 Speaking 7 Writing 7

TOEFL Overall 79 Reading 20 Listening 20 Speaking 23 Writing 27
 
Pearson Overall 58 Reading 58 Listening 58 Speaking 65 Writing 65
 
C1 Advanced Overall 176 Reading 176 Listening 176 Speaking 185 Writing 185