Graduate Diploma of Sustainability
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Sustainability |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Deakin course code | S627 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2024 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 108876F Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Embark on a journey of discovery and impact with the Graduate Diploma of Sustainability. You will dive deep into the fascinating world of sustainability, environmental science, and global change, equipping yourself with essential tools to address pressing global challenges. It has never been more important to act on sustainability issues, and the need for skilled professionals who can develop appropriate, cost-effective and targeted solutions has become crucial.
This course builds upon the foundation laid by the Graduate Certificate of Sustainability. Shape your learning experience by selecting from a range of elective study options, extending your knowledge in the key areas you are most passionate about – ensuring you build the skills for the career you want. From climate change to public health or the circular economy, be prepared with the specialist knowledge you need to make a tangible difference at a university ranked in the top 100 worldwide for sustainability.
Professional recognition
The Graduate Diploma of Sustainability is professionally accredited by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ). As a student of this course, you are encouraged to apply for EIANZ student membership and connect with the professional network that can support your future career as an environmental professional.
Career opportunities
A career in sustainability is a chance to make a real impact – to solve some of the most complex challenges of our time, and to engage in something meaningful.
Businesses across all industries are looking to implement sustainable practices and are actively seeking professionals with the necessary skills to help drive action. Once you graduate, you will be well positioned to seek employment as a sustainability officer, analyst, manager, or consultant for government, non-government organisations, or in the private sector.
Participation requirements
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Pathways
Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Sustainability you could use the credit points you’ve earned to enter into further study, including:
Master of Sustainability (S727)
Master of Sustainability (Professional) (S728)
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Sustainability (S527) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate specialist knowledge of natural and social sciences related to sustainability, environmental management, health and environment and sustainable regional development. |
| Present a reasoned argument that highlights essential details of sustainability, environmental management and sustainable regional development, theory and application, key observations, results and conclusions of scientific research in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts. Apply listening skills and effective communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer questions from a range of audience and to defend research/project findings and sustainability implementation propositions. Interpret the boundaries or limits of social and scientific information, data, discuss error, probability, uncertainty, conclusions and arguments to justify theoretical propositions, methodologies, methods, techniques, conclusions and professional decisions. |
| Use well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate sustainability data, information and literature in the planning and implementation of projects to a range of stakeholders in sustainability, environmental management and sustainable regional development. Reflect on information, data and results and develop strategies for disseminating research outcomes in a digital world. |
| Appraise complex social, economic and scientific methodologies and information from a broad range of interdisciplinary sources using critical, analytical and logical reasoning from multiple perspectives for evaluating and providing solutions to sustainability issues that incorporate the holistic principles. |
| Demonstrate complex problem-solving skills by identifying and creating solutions to real world sustainability through social, economic and/or scientific inquiry. |
| Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing national and international professional contexts to develop autonomy as researchers and evaluate own performances. Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of social frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices based on the triple-bottom line principles. |
| Work independently and collaboratively with advice from the supervisor towards achieving the outcomes of a project and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts. |
| Apply principles of sustainability and environmental management knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability in collaboration with the supervisor to articulate the place and importance of social and scientific inquiry in the local and global context. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Sustainability you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Sustainability includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 3 credit points of core units
- 5 credit points of course elective units.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
You are required to complete three core units (these are essential units for this degree)
In your first trimester you must also complete two 0-credit point units which are compulsory for this degree.
Year 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| STP710 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE761 | Professional Research Practice |
| SLE756 | Sustainability in the Anthropocene |
| SLE757 | Environmental Science and Global Change |
Plus any five (5) course elective units from the list.
Course electives
You must choose five course elective units from this list.
Students intending to articulate into the Master of Sustainability are recommended to choose course elective units from within the same group of units, and choose either SLE763 Research Project Planning or SLE767 Industry Practice Planning if they wish to take the research pathway in S728 Master of Sustainability (Professional), or industry practice pathway in S728 Master of Sustainability (Professional) or S727 Master of Sustainability.
Environmental Management
| SLE720 | Risk Assessment and Control |
| SLE715 | Circular Economy |
| SLE716 | Environmental Protection |
| SLE725 | Environmental Management Systems |
Health and Environment
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
HMC703-OD Promoting Human and Planetary Health (0.5 credit points) ^ [No longer available for enrolment]
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
MMC706-OD Change tools (0.5 credit points) ^
MMC705-OD Innovation and leadership (0.5 credit points) ^
Sustainable Regional Development
| SLE740 | Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation |
| SLE741 | Regional Development Economics for Sustainability |
| SLE742 | Systems Thinking for Sustainability and Resilience |
| SLE743 | Spatial Analysis and Geographic Information Systems |
Professional studies
| SLE763 | Research Project Planning |
| SLE767 | Industry Practice Planning |
^ Students complete these Deakin approved microcredentials (Stackable Short Courses) to count towards the Health and Environment specialisation. These fully online microcredentials suit professionals with busy lives and work commitments, allowing you to complete microcredentials anytime and anywhere. Please refer to Microcredential learner support for more information.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.