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Undergraduate

Bachelor of Environmental Science (Ecology & Conservation)

Bachelor of Environmental Science (Ecology & Conservation) (BENV)

Entry requirements
ATAR 62.00
Study mode
  • On-campus
  • External
Campus
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 3 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep

Overview

  • Discover more about the relationship between people, the environment and other organisms, the impacts of humans on biodiversity and the environment, and how we can live more sustainably.
  • Learn about Indigenous relationships with country and how this knowledge and perspective can be incorporated into natural resource management.
  • Learn the scientific and ecological theory underpinning land management and biodiversity conservation.
  • Explore types of ecological and biophysical data, sampling organisms and the environment and the design of ecological experiments.
  • Develop skills and hands-on industry experience with extensive ecological field work across a range of ecosystems as well as site visits, residential schools and laboratory sessions, and over 100 hours of industry placements.
  • Learn from our expert lecturers coordinating research projects in topics such as soil biodiversity enhancing plant defences to pests; land management effects on soil microbial diversity; and impacts of bushfires and cultural burning on native grasslands and invasive plant control.

Further study

Graduates may choose to undertake further study in environmental science (e.g. Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Science, or PhD) in collaboration with one of our closely aligned research centres: Centre for Applied Climate Sciences and Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems.

Career outcomes

  • Graduates may find work as an environmental officer or scientist, landscape ecologist, conservation and biodiversity officer, conservation biologist, biosecurity officer, environmental consultant, researcher or educator.
  • Graduates may work for resources/mining industries, national parks, universities, defence organisations, CSIRO, State and Federal Government departments, and other organisations contributing to sustainable utilisation and management of our natural resources.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Adjusted Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances). Unadjusted Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university. 62.00 -
Pre-requisites

To study this degree we assume you have sound knowledge in:

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C) 

We assume that your knowledge is equivalent to a grade C or higher in Units 3 and 4 at high school level (typically studied in Year 12). Find out more about assumed knowledge.

  • Subject pre-requisite: General Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.
  • Recommended prior study: Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C) and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent. If students do not have the recommended Mathematical Methods level for entry then they will be required to undertake MAT1000 Mathematics Fundamentals as an elective.

Special entry schemes for admissions may increase your Rank, through the allocation of additional points in certain circumstances, such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed.

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study with our English language partner, the Union Institute of Language (UIL), or if you're a domestic student you can apply to study UniSQ Ready courses TPP0122 and TPP0123.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education (IHEPP) program.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 24 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 8
1 x 8-unit major 8
8 x electives, or
1 x second 8-unit major, or
2 x 4-unit minors, or
1 x 4-unit minor and 4 x electives
8
Total 24

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Residential schools

All students will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

Intensive residential schools and extensive field trips are integrated throughout the major in courses including in Applied Terrestrial Ecology, The Australian Biota, and Ecological Methods.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 9312
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 33040

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via QTAC

Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:

  • have never studied with UniSQ before, or
  • are a Year 12 student, or
  • want to transfer to UniSQ from another university.
Mode QTAC Codes
External 907375
Toowoomba 906441

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

If you are applying via QTAC, please check our application closing dates.

Apply directly to UniSQ

You may be able to apply directly to UniSQ if you:

  • are a current or previous UniSQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
  • have recently graduated from TAFE.

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2025

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