Sustainable Built Environment
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Built Environment
Suspended
Full-time, Part-time
No
No
Apply the principles of sustainable development to the planning, design, construction and management of the built environment.
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Built Environment is an advanced interdisciplinary coursework program which enables graduates from a wide range of backgrounds to develop and consolidate their knowledge and skills in the application of the principles of sustainable development to the planning, design, construction and management of the built environment.
The program responds to the increasing demand for built environment and related professionals with the capacity to meet the growing challenges of sustainable development in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region and the expansion of specialised career opportunities in both the public and private sector.
The program is available to suitably qualified local and international students and provides opportunities for full-time or part-time study.
*This program is suspended and the final intake will be T3 2020. From 2021, you will be able to study Sustainable Built Environment courses as electives in Architecture, City Planning, Construction Project Management, Landscape Architecture, and Property and Development.

Key Information
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Built Environment is an advanced interdisciplinary coursework program which enables graduates from a wide range of backgrounds to develop and consolidate their knowledge and skills in the application of the principles of sustainable development to the planning, design, construction and management of the built environment.
Related Degrees
Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Built Environment
Master of Sustainable Built Environment
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Built Environment is a 1-year program consisting of 8 courses (48 Units Of Credit/UOC).
The program includes:
- 4 Core Courses
- 4 Elective Courses
Key Areas of Study
Sustainability and Habitability
Resources, Materials and Sustainability
Energy and the Built Environment
Sustainable Development
Progression Pathway
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Built Environment is an articulated pathway to the Master of Sustainable Built Environment.
If you are considering progressing to the Master of Sustainable Built Environment and wish to undertake the Research Project, please replace one elective course in the diploma, with the Research Seminar.
For course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
Progresssion to the Master of Sustainable Built Environment attracts the following accreditations:
Environmental Auditor training
UNSW is an Exemplar Global Certified TPECS* Provider for the following competency units:
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Exemplar Global – AU – Management Systems Auditing; and
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Exemplar Global - EM - Environmental Management Systems.
Satisfactory completion of these competency units meets the training and examination requirements for certification with Exemplar Global as an Environmental Auditor.
The specific level of auditor certification initially achievable will depend on the applicant’s work experience and also prior auditing experience (if any).
*(TPECS =Training Provider and Examiner Certification Scheme)
Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) training
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UNSW has embedded the Green Star Design & As Built Foundation course into SUSD0003 Energy and the Built Environment from second semester 2014 (UNSW pays the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) presenter the standard sessional lecture rate).
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The course is taught over a day – half lecture, half workshop.
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In order for students to take the exam to become a Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) at a discounted price ($99 instead of $150) GBCA proposes that students enrol in the Future Green leaders program (free of charge) which will give them access to a range of discounts if under the age of 30. Future Green Leaders will also give them access to the technical manuals they will need to review in order to sit the exam.
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UNSW pay an accreditation fee to GBCA equivalent to membership fee.
Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional (ISAP) training
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Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) provides required training to students enrolled in BENV7732 Sustainable Infrastructure and Transport (UNSW pays the ISCA Trainer standard guest lecture rate for the lecturing component).
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Students receive the IS Technical Manual as part of this training. Students can sit for the exam to become an Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional (ISAP) by paying a discounted fee ($100). ISAPs become part of the ISAP network including the LinkedIn group.
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UNSW Built Environment pays an accreditation fee to ISCA equivalent to membership (note that this membership relates to the Faculty, not the University, to save costs). So in addition to the ISAP training for students, the Faculty receives the usual benefits of ISCA membership.
- UNSW ranks 25th in the world and 4th in Australia in Architecture/Built Environment (QS World Rankings 2019)
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UNSW Sydney ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide (Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2019)
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In the 2015 Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) UNSW was rated as the equal-top university nationally in Built Environment and Design. Its rating in Urban Planning research was also the joint highest in Australia.
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Professional accreditation for the Master of Sustainable Built Environment
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Progression to the Master of Sustainable Built Environment
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Specialised streams
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Interdisciplinary projects
To be eligible for this program you must have:
- A four-year undergraduate degree with a Credit average or above (WAM 65+ or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Built Environment disciplines or related areas such as environmental science or engineering.
In exceptional circumstances, we will consider relevant, professional experience of at least 5 years. Roles include building designer, environmental planner, construction project manager, environmental/sustainability project officer, building sustainability/energy efficiency assessor or built environment consultant with an environmental/sustainability focus. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have achieved the same knowledge and skills (learning outcomes) through their formal or informal learning as the qualifications listed for entry for this program.
Upon successful completion of the Diploma in Sustainable Built Environment students with a credit average or above may apply for entry into the Master’s program with full credit for courses completed in earlier programs in the sequence.
All domestic and international students can apply for postgraduate coursework online:
- Apply online (International students must pay an application fee of $125.)
Application deadlines:
- Term 1 (February) - apply by 30 November*
- Term 3 (September) - apply by 31 July
Late applications may be accepted after the closing dates subject to the availability of places.
If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you can then be assessed for transfer credit for courses (subjects) studied in your previous degree.
A wide variety of scholarships and awards are available to support you when you are starting and throughout your degree. Whether it is academic, sporting, equity, indigenous, rural, degree specific, or travel and exchange you can find a scholarship that suits you.
The faculty has a number of scholarships and prizes offered to students enrolled in its programs. For information, including general scholarships available to UNSW local and international students and closing dates for applications, visit the UNSW Scholarships Website.
Fees
Tuition fees for full fee paying (non-Commonwealth supported students) local students and international students are calculated on the actual number of units of credit undertaken per term.
Student Activity Fees
When you enrol each year the University asks that you make a financial contribution to help provide services, amenities and representation for all students on campus. These include sporting facilities, subsidised food outlets, campus media, entertainment, student resources and leisure programs.
UNSW Student Contribution Charges
Students enrolling in Australian Universities for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) will pay CSP (Student Contribution) fees based on the calendar year they enrol, selected courses (subjects) and if their study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year). Please refer to the UNSW Degree Finder website for indicative first year & full program CSP fees. More information on CSP fee rates can be found at the UNSW Commonwealth Supported fees website.
Fee Schedule for Full Fee Paying Students
Tuition fees for full fee paying non-Commonwealth supported students local students and international students are calculated on the actual number of units of credit undertaken per term. All fees related information is available from myUNSW website.
Books and Equipment
Don't rush out to buy anything before your first class. Academic staff will advise you as to essential equipment and textbooks. In general studio-based programs will have higher additional costs than non-studio based programs. Costs for books, stationery and equipment vary greatly, but you should allow approximately $1000 a year for these expenses. This figure excludes computing requirements.
Living Expenses
There are a number of factors which will influence your cost of living, for example, rent will vary considerably depending on the type of property and its location. Other essential costs are food, transport, entertainment, clothing and any incidental expenses related to your programs such as field trips. As a general guide, students should have at least $2000 to cover the initial establishment expenses such as rental bond and basic furniture and allow for average weekly expenses of about $350.