AU · Master's
Australian National University
Master of Environmental Management and Development
Australian National University
Course Overview
ANU's Master of Environmental Management and Development is delivered jointly by the Fenner School of Environment & Society and the Crawford School of Public Policy — both ranked top-10 globally in their respective fields. The two-year coursework master's combines applied environmental science with policy and economics, training Sri Lankan applicants for the climate-development nexus: Paris Agreement implementation, biodiversity policy, water and land governance.
Sri Lankan students gravitate to the Climate Change Policy and Biodiversity Conservation specialisations. The capstone is a substantive consultancy project — recent cohorts have worked with DFAT, the World Bank, ADB, UNDP Pacific, and Australian state environmental agencies. ANU's location next to Parliament House gives students unusual access to federal policy networks.
The degree is a strong fit for Sri Lankan applicants coming from the Mahaweli Authority, Ministry of Environment, IUCN Sri Lanka, the Wildlife Department, or development NGOs (CARE, Oxfam, ADB-funded projects). Australia Awards Scholarships make this one of the most heavily-funded master's accessible to South Asian applicants — full tuition + living + travel + a contribution to research costs.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Recognised bachelor's degree with a credit average or above — Sri Lankan applicants need a Second Upper / GPA 3.0+ on a 4.0 scale.
- check_circle Background in environmental science, natural sciences, geography, public policy, economics, or development studies — non-cognate applicants with relevant work experience are admitted on a case basis.
- check_circle Statement of purpose (1,000 words) on policy or applied environmental interests.
- check_circle Two academic or professional references.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in each component).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 80 Overall (min 20 in Reading and Writing).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 64 Overall (min 55 in each section).
- check_circle Waived if your bachelor's degree was taught and assessed entirely in English at a recognised institution — most Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degree programmes qualify with an MOI letter from the university registrar.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (AUD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, 2026) | AUD 49,000 | Rs. 10,290,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Canberra) | AUD 24,500 | Rs. 5,145,000 |
| OSHC + Visa + Establishment | AUD 3,500 | Rs. 735,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | AUD 77,000 | Rs. 16,170,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (2 years). ANU Fenner / Crawford grads place into DFAT, DCCEEW (federal environment department), CSIRO, the Australian Greenhouse Office, plus the major multilaterals — UNDP, UNEP, FAO, World Bank, ADB. Australian starting salaries AUD 75,000–90,000. Sri Lankan returnees move into IUCN, UNDP Colombo, ADB Sri Lanka country office, and senior MoE / Wildlife Department posts.
Related Programs
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