Overview 2021
Location
Commonwealth Supported and Full Fee Paying places available (check your Letter of Offer for details)
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the International Online Course Guide (PDF 809KB) for courses that are offered to international students
The climate is changing, and we all have a role to play in creating a more sustainable future. The online Diploma of Sustainable Living will help you learn about sustainability on a local, national and international level, and align your studies with what sustainable living means for you.
Throughout this course, you’ll learn practical knowledge about sustainability, and how to apply it to in your home, community, business or social enterprise.
The Diploma is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and provides four engaging themes to focus your studies:
- Environment, Ecology and Planet
- Resource Use and Design for Living
- Well-being and Health to Promote Sustainable Living
- Social Justice, Equity, and Diversity
Upon graduation, you’ll have a better understanding of your connection to sustainability as an individual, consumer and citizen.
Course objectives
The Diploma of Sustainable Living aims to link participants’ lived experience as an individual, consumer and citizen with learning for sustainability at a range of scales; regional, nationally and globally.
The curriculum is structured around five narratives that are linked with selected UN Sustainable Development goals and include: sustainability at home; sustainability in the environment; sustainability as a social enterprise; sustainability to empower transformative change; sustainability and justice; and, sustainability and human health.
These themes come to life through a wide range of engaging and informative units that are grouped in four specialisations, of which students choose two as part of their studies. The objectives of the course vary based on the specialisations that you choose to study.
Environment, Ecology and Planet
Through everyday actions, plus maintaining global perspectives, you can promote environmentally sustainable practices to support life on land and below water.
Resource Use and Design for Living
Design responsible and innovative use of resources and infrastructure to support sustainable living, from your own backyard, to your community, and beyond.
Well-being and Health to Promote Sustainable Living
Promote sustainable living to improve health and well-being for all.
Social Justice, Equity, and Diversity
Identify opportunity and challenges related to sociocultural sustainability in communities. Change begins at home, and your awareness and impact in your own community can contribute to positive, global improvements.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the Diploma of Sustainable Living graduates will:
CLO1 Identify opportunities to contribute to sustainable living by reflecting on the choices you make in your life.
CLO2 Design pathways to a sustainable future for communities with networks of social practice around sustainable living
CLO3 Explain the impact your day-to-day activities and decisions have on contributing to the global agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Specialisation Learning Outcomes
On completion of the Diploma of Sustainable Living, graduates will also achieve two of the following, based on their choice of specialisation:
- Promote environmentally sustainable practices to support life on land and below water
- Design responsible and innovative use of resources and infrastructure to support sustainable living
- Promote sustainable living to improve health and wellbeing for all
- Identify opportunities and challenges relating to sociocultural sustainability in your community
Practical experience
The practical experiences of this Diploma are what you make it through your choice of units, and as you take your sustainable living knowledge out into the world and make a difference.
While the Diploma of Sustainable Living is offered 100% online, depending on what you choose to study you could be:
- growing a bigger, healthier and more productive garden thanks to your understanding of the Science of Gardening,
- using the principles of Sustainable Design for Houses to inform your house renovations with a focus on improving impact on the environment and your health,
- Helping maintain a healthy local ecosystem through your own Backyard Biodiversity,
- Engaging in your community, exploring your local environment, and much more!
Career outcomes
As a graduate of the Diploma of Sustainable Living you will possess new skills, outlooks on living, and a deeper understanding of sustainability in an ever changing world which will complement your existing career direction.
Where to from here? Further study options for those interested in sustainability.
Completing a Diploma in Sustainable Living and looking for your next step? Develop the skills to build a better future and continue your passion for sustainability with further study in one of these suggested courses:
- Major or elective units in Geography and Environment
- Major in Tourism Management, and include a second major or elective units in Geography and Environment
Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness
- Major in Natural Environment Management
- A science major of your choice, and include suggested business elective unit: Contemporary Business Environments
- A science major of your choice, and include suggested geography elective unit: Global Geographies of Change
Course structure
Completion of the Diploma of Sustainable Living requires 100 credit points including:
- A core (25 credit points)
- Specialisation 1 (37.5 credit points)
- Specialisation 2 (37.5 credit points)
CORE UNITS: the two following units are compulsory in the Diploma of Sustainable Living
* HEJ111 Communicating Sustainability must be among the FIRST 4 units studied
* KGA107 Local Lives for a Sustainable Planet must be among the LAST 4 units studied
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you’re not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education
- Completed the TCE (or equivalent)
Domestic Applicants with higher education study
- Completed at least one undergraduate unit (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points).
Domestic Applicants with VET / TAFE study
- A completed VET Certificate III or higher,
Domestic Applicants with work and life experience:
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
Prerequisites
Nil
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
this course is currently not offered to international students
Articulation from
Articulation into the Diploma of Sustainable Living course from other courses will be done in line with the University's standard application for credit process. Please see the Articulation/ Credit webpage for more information. Applications for credit can be made upon application to the Diploma of Sustainable Living
Articulation to
Students wishing to articulate from the Diploma of Sustainable Living into other University of Tasmania courses may gain credit, subject to the receiving College's discretion.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries