Overview

Experiential learning meets industry-relevant skills in the Bachelor of Science. With guaranteed industry experience, lab access in your first year and small, hands-on classes, you’ll be using the tools of your field and building a tightknit cohort from day one. 

Course prerequisites have changed

The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.

Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.

Your major

In the Environmental Science major, you’ll study the relationship between local, global, social and ecological issues as taught by leading experts in the field. Gain scientific skills in chemistry, biology and microbiology, then apply them to environmental sustainability and ecological challenges both locally and globally and through social infrastructures. 

Your industry experience

Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. In this degree, you'll apply your learning in three professionally focused, industry-linked projects. 

Skills you’ll learn

  • Understanding contemporary environmental issues
  • Gathering and communicating data
  • Researching and gathering information
  • Producing technical reports
  • Teamwork

Your career opportunities

  • Sustainability analyst
  • Environmental scientist or consultant
  • Water quality expert
  • Plant and animal breeder

Key codes

CRICOS course code
088402K
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400234373
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400234371
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Top 200 for Physics

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

Ranked Top 200 in Physical Sciences

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

Ranked Top 150 in Computer Science

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

84.8% graduate satisfaction for overall experience

Qualifications

One of the following:

  • successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

65.0

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

58.45

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Course prerequisites

These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent. 
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any Mathematics.
Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

8
Core units
+
8
Major units
+
8
Elective units
=
3-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Calculus and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10012
Introduction to Chemistry
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10004
Introduction to Physics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY10002
Concepts of Biology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10001
Semester 2
Linear Algebra and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10013
Sustainability Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS10003
Consumer Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10005
Built and Sustainable Communities
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH20004
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
The Microbial World
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO20002
Environmental Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV30003
Food Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH20002
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Societal Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS20011
Water Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH20006
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Units of study Unit code
Professional placement - Major (12 months)
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Science
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
NPS20003
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Science
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
NPS20004
or
Professional placement - Minor (6 months)
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Science
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
NPS20003
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Grand Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS30004
Environmental Biology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV30001
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Microbes in the Environment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30005
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Total fee* ($AUD)

$26,844

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$40,740.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2024 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Professional placement fees

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
BA-SC2
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
BA-SC2
Apply directly
Course code
BA-SC2
CRICOS code
088402K
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400234371
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400234373
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024
  • A female student looking into a microscope in a laboratory.

    World-ranked for science

    Swinburne ranked in the world's top 200

    Swinburne has been ranked in the top 200 institutions in the world for physical science (2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings) and in the top 200 institutions in the world for physics and astronomy (2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities). 

    This ranking positions Swinburne in the top 6 universities in Australia, and the top 3 universities in Victoria.