Australian National University Fenner School of Environment and Society
- Acceptance Rate
- 32.0%
- SAT Range
- N/A
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.75
- Size
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- Type
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- Student:Faculty
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- Setting
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- Graduation Rate
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- Retention Rate
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Graduate students at the Fenner School join a collegial community of environmental researchers and practitioners. The school's interdisciplinary character creates diverse perspectives and collaborative opportunities across traditional academic boundaries. The Fenner School Postgraduate Society organizes social events, seminar series, and professional development activities. Regular research seminars bring visiting speakers and provide forums for students to present their work. Annual conferences and retreats build community across research groups. ANU's Canberra campus provides extensive amenities including libraries, sports facilities, cultural venues, and student services. Graduate housing is available on campus and in nearby neighborhoods. The university's international student population creates a multicultural environment with active cultural organizations. Canberra's lifestyle emphasizes outdoor recreation, with bushwalking, cycling, and skiing accessible within easy distance. The Australian Alps, coastal beaches, and national parks provide weekend escape from academic work. The city's compact size makes cycling practical for daily commuting. Support services include dedicated graduate program advisors, career counseling, writing support, and mental health resources. Indigenous student support recognizes the particular importance of environmental research for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Work-life balance receives appropriate emphasis in the school's culture.
Location & Surroundings
The Fenner School occupies the Frank Fenner Building on ANU's Acton campus in Canberra, Australia's capital city. The campus setting combines parkland, academic facilities, and easy access to government institutions concentrated in the parliamentary triangle. Canberra is a planned city of approximately 450,000 residents, designed as Australia's capital and home to national institutions including Parliament House, the High Court, national museums, and numerous government departments. The city's administrative character is balanced by ANU's cultural contributions and surrounding natural areas. The climate features cold winters with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing and warm to hot summers reaching 30-35 degrees Celsius. The inland location produces low humidity compared to coastal Australian cities. Four distinct seasons provide varied conditions throughout the academic year. Transportation within Canberra relies heavily on private vehicles, though the city has developed cycling infrastructure and light rail connecting key corridors. Bus services cover suburban areas. Sydney is approximately three hours by car or a short flight. Melbourne is similarly accessible. Living costs in Canberra are moderate by Australian capital city standards, lower than Sydney or Melbourne. The student population creates affordable dining and entertainment options. Housing costs vary by proximity to campus, with shared housing offering the most economical options.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition for international students in Fenner School programs ranges from AUD 45,000-50,000 per year depending on program. Domestic students in Commonwealth Supported Places pay approximately AUD 11,000-15,000 annually, with HECS-HELP loans available. Research degree students (PhD, MPhil) are eligible for stipend scholarships covering tuition and providing living allowances of approximately AUD 35,000 per year. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships are the primary funding source. Additional scholarships target specific research areas or student backgrounds. Living costs in Canberra require approximately AUD 22,000-28,000 per year for housing, food, transportation, health insurance, and personal expenses. On-campus accommodation provides convenience at competitive rates. Off-campus shared housing reduces costs further. Career outcomes for Fenner School graduates span government environmental agencies, environmental consulting firms, NGOs and conservation organizations, international development agencies, and academic research. The school's Canberra location facilitates government career pathways unavailable elsewhere. Alumni work throughout Australian government departments, in state and territory agencies, and in international organizations including IUCN, WWF, and UN agencies. Private sector opportunities exist in environmental consulting, resource management, and corporate sustainability. The growing importance of environmental issues ensures continued demand for graduates with Fenner School training.
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