Sustainability & Social Impact

The time to lead positive change is now

Businesses can no longer ignore their impact on individuals, society and the environment.  The world is in need of problem-solving leaders to create change for a better, more socially sustainable future. 

Empower yourself with a qualification in business, social impact and sustainability at UNSW, and you’ll gain highly employable skills for a rewarding, change-making career that could take you anywhere.

How do business, social impact and sustainability intersect?

Business goals have expanded beyond commercial success in recent years. Increasingly, they’re focused on sustainability and social impact, with customers demanding the businesses they engage with are doing good in the world. 

Sustainability and social impact in business is about understanding the impacts of corporations on people and the environment. Leaders in sustainability and social impact focus on creating sustainable, social, entrepreneurial and systemic change in many settings. Think: corporate, government, not-for-profit and more. 

Founder of Heart & Soul Story Samantha Heron started her social enterprise after completing a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact at UNSW. She says “social impact is about working to make a difference, to produce positive outcomes and enhance the overall quality of life for communities.” 

Why study a sustainability and social impact course?

UNSW’s courses in social impact and sustainability are your chance to be the change you want to see in the world. You'll gain the understanding and real-world experience to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, communities and the environment by driving change through business initiatives. 

You'll build skills and knowledge in both business and social impact. Deepen your knowledge of social entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and governance, and learn how businesses, social enterprises, government, foundations and community organisations can work together to bring about positive change.

Why choose UNSW?

Join Australia’s #1 Business School

Study with the best at Australia’s #1 Business School. You’ll gain a highly-respected business education that leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation. 

^{*AFR BOSS 2024 Best Business School Rankings}

Get hands-on experience and grow your network

Make strides towards your future career by gaining vital hands-on skills through work experience, internships and global practicum opportunities. Get involved in initiatives within the Centre for Social Impact, an industry-leading alliance of Australian universities that provides education, tools and evidence-based research to help catalyse social change for a better world. 

Gain a competitive edge with employability

UNSW students are sought after by employers, with UNSW awarded The Most Employable Students Award in the AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards* for five consecutive years. Plus, studying social impact at UNSW means you’ll become part of an urgently required new generation of global leaders with a socially and environmentally conscious framework.

^{*AFR Top100 Future Leaders 2020-2024}

Careers in sustainability and social impact 

A course in social impact and sustainability will set you up for a career where you can drive meaningful change. Industry demand is rapidly growing for experts across business, social impact and sustainability – so you’ll be at the top of the pile for job opportunities when you graduate.

Brent Hedley, who studied a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact at UNSW, is an Executive Officer at the Football Futures Foundation, which aims to change lives through football. “I have two main goals: to enhance the efficacy of our initiatives at the Football Futures Foundation and to evolve as a leader capable of inspiring and enacting significant social change,” says Hedley. 

“The knowledge and skills gained in the course aren’t just academic accolades, but tools that empower me to develop impactful strategies in the real world.”

Your career possibilities include:  

• Social policy manager 

• ESG consultant 

• Sustainability consultant

• Social responsibility manager in the corporate sector 

• Social entrepreneur

• Social policy manager

• Social and ethical investment professional

• Social impact educator or corporate trainer

• Not-for-profit leader