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Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation (P3J)

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Overview (2027)

Key Information

Duration

Minimum 3 years, up to a maximum of 7 years.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2

As a Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation student, you’ll experience an eight-day field camp on Bruny Island, where you’ll develop essential skills in GPS navigation, surveying, microclimatic data collection, soil analysis, and flora and fauna surveys. This hands-on experience in one of Tasmania’s unique landscapes offers practical training opportunities, preparing you to play an active role in sustainable environmental management.

By understanding the issues facing our planet, you can help build a better future.

There is no better place to study natural environments and conservation than Tasmania. Our state is a living laboratory, with approximately 23% of Tasmania recognised as world heritage, and 42% as protected areas, accessible from our campus. Your studies will also connect you to the rich culture of the conservation movement in Tasmania.

Understanding the connections between nature and human society is vital for informing the management, protection, and use of the natural environment. You’ll learn to think critically and creatively across disciplines. As a graduate, you’ll fight to protect and heal our planet.

Online study

The Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation can be studied predominantly online, which gives you the flexibility to learn in a way that suits your lifestyle. You can join lectures and practical classes live via Zoom or study in your own time. Most of the course can be completed from wherever you live.

There are three units with compulsory face to face activities and these require a short trip to Tasmania, usually for up to ten days at a time. Many students see this as a chance to explore Tasmania’s unique environments while gaining hands on field experience that is difficult to replicate online. These units are KGA213 at the end of first year, KGA331 at the end of second year and KGA318 at the end of third year. You may also attend the optional camp, or complete the mandatory online activities for KGA327. For further information, please see the unit descriptions below or contact the course coordinator.

Catalyst Program

Want to combine your degree with overseas trips, summer research programs, scholarships and special events? Our Catalyst Program offers domestic high achieving school leavers all this and more.

All domestic students with an ATAR of 90 or greater, enrolled in a range of STEM courses will be awarded a $3,000 Catalyst Scholarship. Across the program students can access scholarships of up to $14,500 in value, and gain experience that will make you stand out in your chosen field. Learn more about the Catalyst Program

Double degrees

This degree can be combined with another degree to form a double degree. Study what you want, explore your options and find out how you can accelerate your career.

The Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation can be taken as a vertical double degree with the Master of Protected Area Conservation. This option provides a clear four year pathway to completing both an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification, building strong scientific knowledge alongside advanced skills to manage and conserve natural places. You can find more details about this option under the Course structure heading further down the page.

Watch our course information webinar

Thinking of studying this course and want to learn more? This webinar explores course structures, career opportunities, and the student experience to support your study journey.

Watch now

Ready to explore your study options?

Book an online one-on-one appointment with our course coordinator to discuss any course-related questions and explore how the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation can support your study and career goals.

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For current student enrolment questions and advice contact UConnect.

  • 1 Gather, synthesise and critically evaluate information on natural environments and their relationships with people.
  • 2 Explain the physical geography, politics and management of natural environments to contribute to political and social discourse.
  • 3 Apply spatial, scientific and social science techniques and tools in keeping with relevant professional standards to answer questions related to the conservation and exploitation of natural environments.
  • 4 Disseminate information and concepts about natural environments with other professionals and the public.
  • 5 Produce and critique environmental assessments and natural environment management plans to improve ways people interact with the environment.

Your study experience will be a blend of classroom, laboratory and in-the-field learning in Tasmania's inspiring landscapes.

With World Heritage areas on our doorstep, we offer experiences that are generally unavailable at other Australian universities. Explore Tasmania's distinctive island environments, such as Bruny Island, through field-based experiences. These begin as early as week 3 of your first year and continue throughout your studies.

Some of the world's wildest and most outstanding natural environments are within an hour of the campus. We can access marine, coastal, heathland, wetland, grassland, woodland, dry eucalypt, wet eucalypt, and rainforest environments, as well as urban nature.

Our world-class teaching staff bring their cutting edge findings and examples to your lessons. Not just in the laboratory and classroom but outside, doing real-world tasks such as environment management plans and impact assessments.

Catalyst Program and Dean's Summer Research Scholarship

The Catalyst Program is available to high achieving domestic high school leavers studying a STEM course. It combines your Bachelor degree with scholarships, extracurricular experiences, special events, and networking opportunities. As a Catalyst scholarship recipient, you can participate in the Dean’s Summer Research Scholarship (DSRS) three times throughout your degree, with up to $9,000 in scholarships. Non-Catalyst students may also undertake the DSRS with a scholarship payment of $2,000 per experience.

As a Bachelor of Science student, you can take advantage of additional benefits such as access to work-integrated learning opportunities or research projects. Learn more about the Catalyst Program.

Become a Student Ambassador

Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities. Though the Student Ambassador Program or STEM Outreach Team you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.

Study overseas at one of our partner institutions

Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.

Units in this degree, including KGA331 Fire, Weeds and Ferals: Conserving Nature in Protected Areas and KGA381 Environmental Impact Assessment involve you working with teams of students, undertaking intensive field work, and producing natural environment management plans. These plans are often utilised by the owners and managers of the land on which you are assessing, providing direct benefit to the environment and community while you study.

Career outcomes

Gemma, who became a Bushland Activity Leader for the Hobart City Council while completing her degree, says, 'It was the help of the degree… and my previous experience that they were interested in.'

Gemma Rushton
Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness (now Natural Environment and Conservation)

There are endless career opportunities across government, private and not-for-profit industries. These include eco-tourism, natural area management, protection and interpretation, emergency management and planning, ecosystem restoration and natural resource management, and education. Here are some of the many exciting career paths you can follow.

  • Plan sustainable cities

Collaborate across multiple professions, such as surveying, planning and management, to create healthy urban environments where we tackle issues such as bushfire, biodiversity and pollution in an informed way.

  • Manage protected areas

If you have a passion for the natural world, you can seek a career in parks and protected areas around the worldwide You can supervise tourism and research visits, collaborate on conservation efforts, and help protect biodiversity.

  • Become an environmental scientist

Follow a passion for science in areas such as biology, chemistry and ecology for a career that works to create solutions to some of the most vital challenges facing society. These include environmental and natural resource management, pollution monitoring, and environmental policy.

  • Conservation and resource management

Natural resources used for human production and activity, such as water and soil, or environments like wetlands, forests and grasslands, must be carefully monitored, restored and managed by qualified professionals.

Postgraduate study

After successfully completing this course, you may be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. The most relevant are the Master of Planning and Master of Protected Area Conservation.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation requires the completion of 300 credit points comprising:

  • 100 credit point Major
  • 100 credit points of Core units
  • 100 credit points of Elective units

The major in Natural Environment Management and the core units ensure both a breadth and depth of relevant knowledge

In your Elective component you can choose from any units marked as "Student Electives" which you meet the pre-requisites for, at any level, from across the university. 

Your electives can be used to add breadth to your degree, by exploring a variety of different subject areas from within or outside the College of Sciences and Engineering. Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional units in the same discipline as your major or related fields.

You can also use this space to complete an optional second major which may be (i) a sustainability major, or (ii) *another major from across the institution, noting some exclusions apply. (*to enrol in a major outside your discipline, please contact U.Connect).

For help on how to find and choose your Elective units, see What are Elective units?

A course planner has been provided (see list to the right) which gives you a visual representation of your course and will help you plan which units to enrol in and when. For course planners from previous years, refer to the handbook entry for that year.

If you have any questions talk to U Connect today.

Entry requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the University’s admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Enquire online for more advice on the application process and the available pathways to enrol and study at the University of Tasmania.

Schools Recommendation Program

Australian year 12 students can apply for this course via our Schools Recommendation Program. Rather than an ATAR, your application is based on a recommendation by your school teachers. This can factor in your year 11 results, an assessment of your capabilities, and other considerations.

Through the program, you can receive and accept an offer prior to completing year 12. You will still need to finish your year 12 studies – including any exams – to commence your studies.

If you don’t receive an offer for this course through the Schools Recommendation Program, you will be re-assessed for a higher preference offer once your ATAR is released.

Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers are made based on the number of places available.  This course has a Guaranteed ATAR of 65.

In 2026, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 65.55. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.

Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.

Domestic applicants with higher education study

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:

  • Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 University of Tasmania credit points). If an applicant has failed any units, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
  • Completed the University of Tasmania University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian university).

Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate IV (or equivalent) in any discipline.  

Domestic applicants with work and life experience

Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and/or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.  

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

We believe university education should be an option for everyone, no matter your background. 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, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition, or disability.

We can only approve applications for special consideration if we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the University admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation and Master of Protected Area Conservation (Double Degree)

Students undertaking the double-degree will be admitted to the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation as per the admission requirements above.  In order to progress into the Master of Protected Area Conservation component of the course students must attain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 or above (Credit average) in the first 200 credit points of undergraduate study. 

 

English Language Requirements

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0, with no individual band less than 5.5, or a PTE Academic score of 50, with no score lower than 42 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided.

See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

General Entry Requirements

Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a year 12 education in Australia.

Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the “For Domestic Students” section of the entry requirements on this page.

You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:

  • Completion of an equivalent AQF Certificate IV or above
  • Complete or incomplete (minimum 25 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Diploma level or higher

If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.

Course Specific Requirements

This course does not have any course specific requirements.

Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation and Master of Protected Area Conservation (Double Degree)

The double degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.5 with no individual band less than 6.0 or equivalent.

Students undertaking the double degree will be admitted to the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation as per the General Entry requirements noted above.  In order to progress into the Master of Protected Area Conservation component of the course students must attain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 or above (Credit average) in the first 200 credit points of undergraduate study. 

The below information is for double degrees that have specific entry requirements due to this course being combined with a postgraduate degree. To read more about all the double degree options for this course, please visit the double degree webpage.

Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation and Master of Protected Area Conservation (Double Degree)
 

General entry requirements are the same as for the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation listed above, with the following additional requirement:
 

Progression to Master of Protected Area Conservation

To progress into the Master of Protected Area Conservation component of the course you must attain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 or above (Credit average) in the first 200 credit points of undergraduate study. If you do not meet this GPA requirement you will be able to remain in the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation and complete the single degree. On completion of the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation you may apply to return and commence the Master of Protected Area Conservation.

The below information is for double degrees that have specific entry requirements due to this course being combined with a postgraduate degree. To read more about all the double degree options for this course, please visit the double degree webpage.

Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation and Master of Protected Area Conservation (Double Degree)

 

English Language Requirements

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.5 with no individual band less than 6.0 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided.

See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

General Entry Requirements

General entry requirements are the same as for the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation listed above, with the following additional requirement:


Progression to Master of Protected Area Conservation

To progress into the Master of Protected Area Conservation component of the course you must attain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 or above (Credit average) in the first 200 credit points of undergraduate study. If you do not meet this GPA requirement you will be able to remain in the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation and complete the single degree. On completion of the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation you may apply to return and commence the Master of Protected Area Conservation.


Course Specific Requirements
This course does not have any course specific requirements.

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.

If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research.

For students wishing to undertake postgraduate research, you can apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography and Environment. These are pathways to Higher Degree Research, such as Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

Students wishing to undertake postgraduate coursework study can take advantage of our flexible, career-relevant Graduate Certificate qualifications in Urban Planning or Geographic Information Systems. Students wishing to extend their professional learning may also consider the Graduate Diploma or Master of Planning, the Professional Honours or Masters in Environmental GeoSpatial Science, or the vertical double in Protected Areas Conservation.

 

If you aren’t eligible for an offer to this course, you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies or 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: $10,828

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.

International students

2027 annual international student tuition fee: $45,623 AUD

The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.

Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 143,825 AUD.

This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.

International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

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.

Scholarships for international students

There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information refer to International Scholarships.

Catalyst Program

Want to combine your degree with overseas trips, summer research programs, scholarships and special events? Our Catalyst Program offers domestic high achieving school leavers all this and more.

All domestic students with an ATAR of 90 or greater, enrolled in a range of STEM courses will be awarded a $3,000 Catalyst Scholarship. Across the program students can access scholarships of up to $14,500 in value, and gain experience that will make you stand out in your chosen field. Learn more about the Catalyst Program

Course year 2027

View 2026 course information

View 2025 course information

View previous years course information

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International

+61 3 6226 6200

Email

Course.Info@utas.edu.au

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