Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability/Bachelor of Global Studies

Course information for - 2026 entry
Domestic
  • Domestic
  • International

Offered at 2 locations
  • Melbourne
  • Strathfield

Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
VTAC code
1200210931
ATAR
New
Fees (first year)*

$15428 CSP

Start dates

Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2026

Applications open April 2025

Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2026

Applications open April 2026

Overview

Become a force for change with this double degree, designed for those driven to tackle today’s global challenges. Dive into critical contemporary social issues like globalisation, social justice, international relations and environmental sustainability while exploring social and cultural perspectives. With hands-on learning at its core, this program offers a unique study abroad internship, where you’ll experience global contexts first-hand and build a powerful foundation for impactful work. Whether you're passionate about creating a sustainable future or addressing social inequalities, this degree offers the tools, experiences, and flexibility to shape your career as an agent for change.

  • 95% graduates employed

  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Work placement

You will have the unique opportunity to gain valuable international work experience tailored to your interests and career goals via one of our overseas internship partner organisations. You will also have the chance to study abroad at one of ACU’s 60 partner institutions around the world.

Community engagement

In this course, students will study the Community Engagement unit HUMA330 Community Engagement Placement.

Careers

Graduates will be equipped for impactful careers in non-profit, governmental, and global organisations, fostering sustainable and socially just solutions for communities worldwide.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified units Specified unitsENHU170 Environmental Humanities 10 cp
  • Specified unitsENHU171 Environmental Economics Specified units 10 cp
  • Bachelor of Global Studies units POLS104 Introduction to International Relations 10 cp
  • Bachelor of Global Studies units HIST115 Global History: Six Degrees of Separation 10 cp
  • Specified units Specified unitsGEOG110 Exploring Natural Environments 10 cp
  • Specified units Specified unitsGEOG111 Exploring Human Environments 10 cp
  • GEOG214 Sustainability: The Global Challenge 10 cp
  • Core Curriculum and Community Engagement units Core Curriculum Unit 1See the ACU Core Curriculum page for details10 cp

Commencing Semester 2

Graduate statement

Insight

As a Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability or associated double degree graduate, you possess insight into the great social and environmental challenges faced by humanity and how to respond to these, via a deep awareness of the challenges to sustainability goals, and how insight can work towards reducing the social and environmental impacts of unsustainable policies and practices. This awareness is based on a variety of approaches to knowing and learning inclusive of Indigenous knowledges, reflexive practice, applied critical approaches, and empirical evidence. These degrees initiate your professional role in social and environmental sustainability by applying the insight gained across numerous organisational and institutional settings, thereby actively working towards greater equity, social and environmental justice, and human dignity.

Empathy

As a Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability or associated double degree graduate, you have empathy with the effects of challenges and obstacles to social and environmental sustainability, inclusive of how these challenges are intimately related to human and environmental dignity and socially and environmentally marginalised communities. This empathy is grounded in the specific learnings and applications of a variety of approaches to social and environmental sustainability including the ancient ways of Indigenous care for the country, substantive geographic and sociological frameworks, deep engagement with the environmental humanities, business skills, and legal training. As a graduate empathy is translated into action through application in a variety of professional roles contributing to affecting lasting change.

Imagination

As a Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability or associated double degree graduate, you utilise imagination to develop influential, transformative, and measurable approaches to defining and achieving sustainability goals using a range of technologies to facilitate organisational and institutional engagement with sustainability. You use critical and creative thinking to enhance engagement with, and practice of, social and environmental sustainability. You appreciate the role of innovation in leading change that aspires to actively translate imagination into action around social and environmental sustainability. You implement innovative, evidence-based approaches to sustainability policy and practice to enable informed decision-making across a range of institutional and organisational foci within culturally respectful and community-sensitive frameworks.

Impact

As a Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability or associate double degree graduate you actively apply sustainability skills, knowledges, and empathy to positively impact human and environmental dignity, contributing meaningfully to the common good. Your sustainability skills, knowledge, and empathy are impactful through strategic and innovative methods of application in relevant professional settings. Impact is also established as a graduate, through effective communication that raises awareness about, and develops empathy for, social and environmental sustainability in others around you. As a graduate, your impact is ultimately to lead change that serves to protect and preserve the greater environment and arrest corrosive social, cultural, and communal threats that result from unsustainable policies and practices.

AQF framework

Double Bachelor - Bachelor/Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Exit Points

Students who have met the requirements of the non-award course Certificate in Liberal Studies, Diploma in Liberal Arts OR Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability can exit with that award.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.

International students must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:

StatePrerequisites
New South Wales

Assumed knowledge: 2 units of English (any) (Band 3).

Victoria

Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

Applicants with recent secondary education

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.

International students must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:

NSW: Assumed knowledge: 2 units of English (any) (Band 3). Mathematics (other than Mathematics General 2) for study in Mathematics (Band 3)

VIC: Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Assumed knowledge: Units 3 and 4 - Mathematical Methods or equivalent for study in Mathematics.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

English language requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A minimum of 7.0 in Reading and Writing and a minimum of 7.5 in listening and speaking

Pearson Test of English (PTE): A minimum of 65 in reading and writing and a minimum of 73 in listening and speaking

Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic (TOEFL): Internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iTB) with a minimum of 27 in reading, 29 in writing, 27 in listening and 24 in speaking

ACU English Language Test: A+ (80 -84)

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): A minimum of 185 in reading and writing and a minimum of 191 in listening and speaking. 

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$15428 CSP

*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.

A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:

  • Number of units studied per year
  • Choice of major or specialisation
  • Elective units

The University reviews fees annually.

You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

 

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs