Graduate Diploma of Water Policy and Governance

What is this course about?

CSU's Water Policy and Governance program is flexible and designed to meet the needs of industry by providing students with the opportunity to develop skills in water policy, management and governance.

About the course

CSU's Graduate Diploma of Water Policy and Governance aims to produce graduates capable of successfully governing water policy and contributing in a distinct way to their industry. It will also allow graduates to integrate with other natural resource professionals and bureaucrats to improve water resources in Australia.

The Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate in Water Policy and Governance are designed to provide postgraduate qualifications for those involved in the large Water Governance Industry in Australia. Professionals within organisations such as the Murray Darling Basin Authority, National Water Authority, State offices of Water, State Water Authority State National Parks and Irrigation Authorities who are involved in developing Policy around water usage will greatly benefit from this course. 

The course aims to provide Natural Resource Management graduates a pathway into Water Policy and Governance and allows for further development of skills and qualifications for natural resource professionals. It provides industry linkages by providing articulation pathways from industry based training courses and provides graduates with the skills and attributes expected by the natural resources and affiliated industries.

Admission requirements

Graduate pathways

This course will provide a pathway for recent graduates from any natural resources course and/or science degree from any accredited university. The basic prerequisite is that a candidate must hold at least a three-year degree (or equivalent) in any field. It is assumed the candidate understands the agricultural or natural resources within which they work, and they are primarily focused on developing their knowledge of water policy and governance further.

Non-Academic articulation into the course

The course will also provide a pathway (after three years of work experience) for experienced industry people without an academic background. These candidates could enrol into the Graduate Diploma in Water Policy and Governance Articulation. Credit from Industry and VET trained candidates who are currently working in the field may also be offered into the Graduate Certificate. Applications will be assessed at the discretion of the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences' Courses Director.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1