Tasmania, and the University of Tasmania, has a long history of leading the world in environmental management, going back to the creation of the Centre for Environmental Studies at the dawn of environmental politics in the early 1970s.

More recently, it has an emphasis on biodiversity management and sustainable practices because of the strengths of our key teaching staff. We specialise in giving students deep connections to Tasmania’s unique history in environmental management through nationally recognised staff, such as multi-award-winning ecologist, Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, and industry connected environmental planner, Dr Emma Pharo.

Our experience in creating, managing and exporting best-practice environmental management policies over half a century will give you the skills and knowledge the world needs to move to a sustainable future. This engaged, practical approach informs our teaching, and ultimately the industry and field experience we deliver help set our graduates apart.

Environmental managers work around the world tackling a wide range of challenges with global relevance, and local impacts. This can include threatened species management in both developed and developing countries, creating practical solutions and best-practice policy for waste management issues, and addressing complex problems like climate change through a myriad of practical, community-based initiatives.

Small class sizes and an intimate connection with both our environment and local environmental management agencies provides significant flexibility to customise your study experience  and projects towards your desired environmental management path. Before you start your course, you meet with the course coordinator to tailor a degree that builds on your individual interests and strengths in the environmental management sector.

"Is this the degree for me?"

The degree attracts people who are refreshing or upskilling their environmental management credentials, as well as those who do not have a background in the field but who would like to work in environmental management. You can study on campus, online, or a blend of both, and practical experiences can be flexible to work around your professional and personal commitments.

Work placement

Our emphasis on work integrated learning means that both classroom and practical field experiences have been designed with employment and authentic learning in mind. The Professional Placement experience is a core component of the degree where you spend at least 80 hours getting some firsthand insights in what it’s like to work for one of our local environmental management partners. In additional to valuable practical industry experience, this can lead to local opportunities for students who are seeking employment in Tasmania.

Long standing collaborations with Tasmanian environmental management professionals mean that you will meet experienced environmental managers and work through case studies and local issues as part your entire degree. This includes both in the classroom, as well as in the field reviewing and contributing to ongoing environmental management practices right here in Tasmania.

We are also associated internationally with organisations such as the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand that are actively working to upskill emerging professionals across multiple countries, providing connections and networking that can help in your future career.

Environmental management is a global concern, and the practical, sector connected skills and knowledge you develop here in Tasmania can be applied to any community around the world.

We use the strengths of our diverse student cohort to understand environmental management challenges in other places, leveraging both from our own living laboratory and diverse student experiences to make your learning real and applicable to the real world. This is done through case study work that allows students to tap into their own experience and motivations

The degree attracts people who are refreshing or upskilling their environmental management credentials, as well as those who do not have a background in the field but who would like to work in environmental management. As a result, our graduates gain employment in all areas of the environmental management sector, including all levels of government, private consultancy, not for profits, and community organisations. This is because Tasmania’s diverse landscapes deliver practical skills and an ability to understand complex landscapes in ways that are transferrable across industries, and to locations around the world.

Students completing the thesis pathway (KGA742/743) of the Master can apply to undertake a PhD in environmental management related fields.

Professional Recognition

Due to the broad nature of environmental management, there is currently no single body that accredits environmental professionals in Australia. Our graduates can become members of a diverse range of related bodies such as the Ecological Society of Australia and Australasian Land and Groundwater Association.

In addition, our close partners in the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand have recently commenced an accreditation program and UTAS are actively collaborating ensure our teaching remains best-practice, and we look to create future accreditation opportunities.