Overview (2027)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 0.5 years, up to a maximum of 2 years.
Location
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
The Undergraduate Certificate in Climate Change Awareness and Action equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills to participate in efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, locally and globally. This certificate responds to that need.
You will study the type and magnitude of climate change impacts and possible responses, and build foundational skills in climate risk management. You will learn to facilitate climate-resilient planning and climate-related reporting requirements. Additionally, you will learn what to consider when planning for and managing climate impacts on future infrastructure and services. Upon completion of the certificate, you will be able to apply climate science knowledge to a range of human challenges, make linkages between sustainability and climate action, and use collaborative approaches to climate change problems and solutions.
This online course will prepare and inspire graduates for further educational opportunities and enhance their capacity to contribute to global efforts in climate change response. As a graduate, you will be equipped for a variety of climate change-related roles in industry and government. You will also meet entry criteria for multiple University of Tasmania courses at the Diploma and Bachelor levels.
As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for credit or advanced standing for your studies towards degrees such as the Bachelor of Science (Sustainability) and the Diploma of Sustainable Living. Certificate graduates may also receive credit into the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, and the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation.
- 1 Apply climate change scientific principles and knowledge to a range of human challenges
- 2 Describe linkages between principles of sustainability and climate change action
- 3 Use collaborative problem-solving approaches to explore climate change problems and solutions
Course structure
The Undergraduate Certificate in Climate Change Awareness and Action requires the completion of 50 credit points comprising:
- 25 credit points of Core units
- 25 credit points of Discipline Elective units
Together, these units ensure both a breadth and depth of relevant knowledge
In your Discipline Elective component you can choose from lists of prescribed electives according to your semester of enrolment.
We have a team of Course Information Officers available to help you structure your studies to meet your desired outcomes. For enrolment assistance please contact us via U Connect today.
Human-induced climate change is the most serious problem currently facing our planet - a global problem with increasingly obvious local impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that the next 10 years will be critical to averting…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
- Key:
On-campus- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KGA104 Introduction to the Science of Climate Change
The course of climate has been altered by humans. Swift but carefully considered and designed action to reduce greenhouse gases and our production of them will be essential for minimising the damage to our planet that is occurring due to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Earth is a lively and dynamic planet that is undergoing rapid changes wrought by the activities of humans. In what ways are these changes impacting on us and other species? Are we precipitating another mass extinction; the 6th major mass…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Naturally hazardous events do not necessarily result in natural disasters, rather, natural disasters are measured by the impacts of the event on people. This unit will introduce the natural Earth systems that create natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
The physical and living aspects of the global environment interact to produce the extraordinary variety of landscapes, ecosystems and species that occupy this planet. This unit highlights the interplay and conservation of controlling processes so that they continue to maintain…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Living with Fire is a level-100 unit offered as part of the Diploma of Sustainable Living. Fire has shaped the evolution of the world we see around us and is fundamental to life. Yet wildfire can also be devastating to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
| Trimester | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit is designed to provide students with an overview of the three key domains of organisational resilience - crisis management, business continuity management and protective security. Any organisation that looks to manage business risk needs to have a focus…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding complex adaptive systems and developing practical skills in systems thinking. It is structured into five inter-related modules, beginning and ending with philosophical reflection on the human capacity to think about systems. Students…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Entry requirements
Applicants who have recently completed secondary education in the past two years
- Completed the TCE (or equivalent)
Applicants with higher education study
- Completed at least one undergraduate unit (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points).
Applicants with VET / TAFE study
- A completed VET Certificate III or higher
Applicants with work and life experience
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary at all or in the past two years, nor any 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.
Pre-requisites
Nil
How to apply for a credit transfer
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Talk to us on 13 8827 or enquire online about your credit transfer.
Students who graduate from this certificate can go on to complete the Undergraduate Certificate in Antarctic and Climate Science, the Diploma of Sustainable Living, the Bachelor of Science (major in Sustainability or Geography & Environment), or the Bachelor Natural Environments Conservation, and may receive credit for these.
If you aren’t eligible for an offer to this course, you should consider enrolment in the University Preparation Program.
In all cases, contact us to discuss an option best suited to your needs.
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $5,235
How is this calculated?
This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
Domestic scholarships
Scholarships for domestic students
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please refer to scholarships.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
Continuing students
If you are a continuing student, please contact UniConnect for fee scholarship information relevant to your enrolment.
Course year 2027
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