Help create a sustainable future with South Australia’s only postgraduate degree in Sustainable Development.
How have the actions of humans impacted the world? What can we do to at present to guarantee a sustainable future?
Climate change. Poverty. Population growth. Gender equality. These are the most concerning topics of the 21st Century. The actions of humans have posed some of the most compelling and fraught challenges.
Understanding the legacy of these challenges and solving these problems requires both knowledge of ecological and physical processes, and insight into the cultural, demographic, economic, geographical and political aspects of development and human-environment connections.
A postgraduate degree at Flinders in Sustainable Development will equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools to help create a sustainable future, with real impact by answering real questions, from real topics that need answers.
Sustainable development explores the development process across three sectors – society, economy, and the environment - in the context of both developed and developing countries. A core pillar of this degree is exploring the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, which is a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future. Developing a critical awareness and knowledge of the Goals and their applications are crucial for careers in public, private and non-governmental sector organisations that operate in in the field of development.
You’ll learn from industry, and leading academic staff, and graduate with a powerful mix of interdisciplinary skills to solve a range of problems. You’ll analyse and synthesise complex environmental, economic, social and political information to identify and plan appropriate development solutions and contribute to debates about human-environment relationships.
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Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development
Duration: 0.5 years
Delivery mode:
In person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
SATAC code: 2GC671
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$17,550 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development
Duration: 1 year
Delivery mode:
In person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
July
SATAC code: 2GD637
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$33,903 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Master of Sustainable Development
Duration: 2 year
Delivery mode:
In person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
July
SATAC code: 2CM615
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$35,302 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development
Duration: 0.5 years
Delivery mode:
In person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
CRICOS code: 111240E
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$19,000
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development
Duration: 1 year
Delivery mode:
In person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
July
CRICOS code: 111239J
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$38,000
Master of Sustainable Development
Duration: 2 year
Delivery mode:
In person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
July
CRICOS code: 111238K
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$38,000
Why study Sustainable Development at Flinders?
Our Sustainable Development courses offer a diverse set of knowledge to understand the factors that lead to issues such as poverty, gender inequality, reduced health, environmental vulnerability, and fragile governance.
Our program suits people seeking or consolidating careers in international and sustainable development, including the NGO sector, government departments specialising in foreign affairs, trade, sustainable development as well as multilateral development agencies, international development institutions, development consultancy and managing contractors.
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of current development issues and policy areas in the sustainable development field and the theories that inform them.
First year topics
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Second year topics |
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The courses offer practical experience in analysing and interpreting data related to Sustainable Development goals. Through an alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and core topics, real-world and practical experiences are offered to help stimulate practical solutions to critical issues for the future of our planet and its people.
Gerti Szili is a Human Geographer with a background in urban and regional planning, environmental studies and anthropology. Her core research interests lie in investigating urban and regional regeneration practice and governance and understanding how communities negotiate landscapes in transition. Her other research interests include urban entrepreneurialism, tourism, environmental philosophy and politics, place making and city marketing, sustainable development, qualitative research methodologies, and constructivist pedagogy. Gerti is a dedicated educator who is regularly commended for her teaching excellence and represents her discipline as an elected member of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia.
Associate Professor Udoy Saikia
Udoy Saikia is a Social Demographer with research and teaching expertise population dynamics, human wellbeing, and sustainable development. The “wellbeing index” which is the most innovative part of his research has been the core focus of several recent Human Development Reports published by the United Nations. Most recently in his role as the Lead Author and the Team Leader, Associate Prof Saikia has completed the research project leading to the production of the UN National Human Development Report, Timor-Leste 2018- a report which focuses on policy pathways to achieve demographic dividend. He received “Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in teaching, 2011” and “Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, 2012”, Office of Learning and Teaching, Government of Australia.
Beverley Clarke, is a geographer, researching both formal and informal processes affecting policy, decision-making and outcomes for the environment. She is recognised for her research on community engagement, policy evaluation, capacity building, policy implications of coastal climate change, and the social dimensions of natural resource management. She has worked throughout Australia with many different stakeholder groups including all tiers of government, NGOs and the community. Her research has been noted for its direct impact and value to industry both nationally and locally. Beverley is recognised in Australia for her leadership in championing Geography (e.g. President of the IAG) and the coast (e.g. Branch Chair and Secretary of the Australian Coastal Society).
Susanne is a geographer with expertise in development studies and migration. Her teaching is underpinned by multi-disciplinary social science research. She has published on a range of topics including poverty, gender inequality, and development volunteering, as well as critically exploring the ideas of development and humanitarian assistance. Susanne’s teaching and research in migration has focused on refugee mobilities and integration, and she also has a strong interest in temporary labour migration. Susanne is an award-winning teacher who has collaborated with other universities on innovative teaching projects that enhance learning through realistic problem-based policy scenarios.
Select your preferred course.
Check entry requirements.
Check individual course entries on SATAC for information on important dates.
Apply online at SATAC.
Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
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