Why Bachelor of Sustainability and Climate Change?
Tackle population and migration issues for a sustainable future.
What are the environmental challenges facing society? Can we create sustainable cities? How does population and migration impact government policy?
Our planet is facing unprecedented climate challenges. Meanwhile, our global population grows by 65 million people each year.
Population and Migration Studies confronts two of today’s key challenges – human migration and population shifts.
Learn to analyse population and migration trends using data, policy and case studies.
As a green collar professional, you’ll lead organisations towards more sustainable futures.
Overview
In this degree, you’ll learn how climate systems work. You’ll analyse policies and processes to achieve better environmental outcomes, and explore population and migration shifts worldwide.
Learn about how migration changes the culture of a country and the social impacts of overpopulation. Gain the skills required to lead policy change and make informed decisions using data analysis, policy examination and case studies. Consider population issues and policy challenges in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Explore how media platforms frame climate change through varied lenses, such as urgency, economic impacts and moral responsibility. Learn to understand demographic data and techniques. Study methods for data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.
With this degree’s global focus, you’ll graduate with a toolbox of transferable skills for Australian and international industries.
Key features
Analyse the driving forces behind population growth and migration.- Develop skills in data analysis and interpretation in hands-on, computer-based workshops.
- Discover the potential for creating sustainable cities and revitalising rural communities.
- Become an informed leader and advocate for the push towards net zero emissions.
- Grow into an ethical communicator who can articulate sustainable responses and policies.
- Gain analytical and research skills to help you design, review and deliver innovative climate solutions.
What you'll learn
Our three-year Bachelor of Sustainability and Climate Change majoring in Population and Migration Studies is interdisciplinary – drawing on environmental science, global politics and social sustainability to illustrate the bigger picture.
In your first year, you’ll study the fundamentals of climate change. Discover how natural forces and human actions shape climate shifts and impact us locally and globally.
By the second year, you’ll be implementing innovative solutions to climate change challenges. You'll improve your communication, learning how to respond to key issues in the field.
In your final year, you’ll sharpen your skills through a practical internship in a real-world industry setting. You'll build professional confidence, expand your networks and apply your knowledge to manage real challenges, setting the stage for a successful career.
In our Population and Migration Studies major, you'll gain practical training in data analysis and report writing in hands-on computer-based workshops. You'll study future-focused courses, including:
- Population trends and challenges
- Communicating climate change
- Migration and development
- Demographic data and techniques
- Urban and rural futures
- Global population and health
- Migration identity, belonging and difference.
Learn about the role of governance and policies in urban and rural planning. Unpack strategies for addressing inequities, such as in housing, infrastructure and social services. Analyse population and migration trends and understand their real-world impacts.
Majors
The Bachelor of Sustainability and Climate Change is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 66 units for Core courses, and
- 48 units for one Major from Majors, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 18 units for Electives
Complete 66 units comprising:
- 18 units for all Common core, and
- 48 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 1
|
Course code
AUXX1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 2
|
Course code
AUXX2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 3
|
Course code
AUXX3000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Humanity in a Changing Climate
|
Course code
ENVI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Culture, Society and Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Communicating Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Climate Change Policy
|
Course code
ENVI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
|
Course code
ENVI3001
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Humanity in a Changing Climate
|
Course code
ENVI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Culture, Society and Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Qualitative Methods in Social Research
|
Course code
SOCI2100
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Communicating Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
|
Course code
ENVI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change Policy
|
Course code
ENVI3000
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Qualitative Methods in Social Research
|
Course code
SOCI2100
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Humanity in a Changing Climate
|
Course code
ENVI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Culture, Society and Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Qualitative Methods in Social Research
|
Course code
SOCI2100
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Communicating Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
|
Course code
ENVI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change Policy
|
Course code
ENVI3000
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Humanity in a Changing Climate
|
Course code
ENVI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Culture, Society and Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Qualitative Methods in Social Research
|
Course code
SOCI2100
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Communicating Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
|
Course code
ENVI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change Policy
|
Course code
ENVI3000
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units for all University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Humanity in a Changing Climate
|
Course code
ENVI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Culture, Society and Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Qualitative Methods in Social Research
|
Course code
SOCI2100
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Communicating Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
|
Course code
ENVI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Climate Change Policy
|
Course code
ENVI3000
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
You could use your knowledge to shape the future as a policy analyst. You might work as an urban planner, designing spaces that adapt to changing populations and migration trends. Perhaps you'll make an impact as a humanitarian worker, championing climate policies and sustainable development for governments or not-for-profits.
You could also be a:
- Sustainability officer
- Community development coordinator
- Migration specialist
- Environmental consultant
- Climate policy analyst
- Sustainable development coordinator.
No matter the path you take, you’ll have the skills to create meaningful change and promote a more sustainable world.
Industry trends
With Australia racing towards its 2050 emissions target, industry trends indicate increased demand for green collar professionals. Your understanding of the impact of population and migration shifts, combined with your knowledge of climate change, will increase your employability prospects.
With over 76,000 new jobs projected across sectors such as renewable energy, ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation, the future is bright for graduates in this field (DCCEEW, 2024).
With this degree from Adelaide University, you’ll be prepared to contribute to an evolving sector and tackle some of Australia’s most urgent environmental challenges.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
