Ecotourism
Bachelor of Ecotourism - BEcot
| Fast Facts |
| Course Level: | Undergraduate |
 |
| Course Length: | Three years full-time or equivalent part-time. An additional honours year is available.
Combined Degrees:
Ecotourism / Diploma in Language - one additional year to your
full-time study program; and
Ecotourism / Innovation and Enterprise (Science & Technology)
- one additional year to your full-time study program. |
| Location: | Taught on-campus at Flinders. |
| Available To: | Australian and international students. |
| Prerequisites: | None.
No assumed knowledge. |
| SATAC Code: | 214121 |
| Entry Cutoff Scores: |
Tertiary Education Rank (TER)
-
Science & Engineering Bonus Points Scheme for High School Students
 |
| Course Program Details: | A program of study is available in the University's Course Information Handbook. |
About the Course
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is sustainable nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural environment, and is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry.
Ecotourism appeals mainly to an educated clientele of all ages which generally shuns commercial hype but is prepared to pay for informed commentary and a 'real' experience. There is often a degree of overlap with adventure tourism.
This course is particularly suited to students who are good communicators and organisers, and who have the capacity to deal with a multi-disciplinary approach to the natural world.
The course was created in consultation with the tourism industry and government, specifically to meet the demand for informed and articulate ecotourism professionals.
Career Opportunities
The need for informed and articulate professionals to service this industry sector is growing rapidly.
Graduates could find positions as:
- tourism operators
- guides
- planners
- interpretative centre staff
- research officers
These positions potentially lead to careers in ecotourism management.
Employers include tourist resorts and operators, government at all levels, and non-government organisations. There is also great scope to start up small businesses.
Graduates with the right skills also are in demand as managers in science and technology industries or as administrators, planners and consultants in government.
To find out more about the jobs this degree can lead to, go to the Your Career section of the Flinders' graduate careers website.
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Combining Degrees
Ecotourism / Innovation and Enterprise (Science & Technology)
Add an additional year of full-time study
If you want to boost your business, management, enterprise and communication skills, and undertake a concentrated period of practical work experience, consider combining
Ecotourism with the Bachelor of Innovation and Enterprise (Science and Technology) (BIE).
You’ll graduate with two degrees. More importantly, you’ll increase your immediate attractiveness to employers and your potential to become a business leader. You will need to apply for both the Bachelor of Ecotourism and the BIE via SATAC.
What Will I Study?
Throughout the degree there is a strong emphasis on practical training underpinned by a strong scientific background. Consequently students are trained in critical thinking and delivering technical information in an accessible way that is free of jargon and understandable by non-specialists. In addition students are trained in the business and tourism subjects vital for managing an ecotourism business.
The study program comprises:
- two-thirds mainly science-based material
- one-third tourism and business material, including a compulsory industry work experience component.
The course has a strong fieldwork component and a unique science emphasis.
In First Year you'll be introduced to ecotourism and its components (including biology, earth sciences, geography, Aboriginal studies, marketing and the law), take practical lessons in first aid and bushcraft and learn to use four-wheel drive vehicles.
In Second and Third year you'll specialise in particular areas of interest in the natural sciences and look more closely at tourism planning, management and marketing and the impact of tourism.
Extended fieldwork in national parks and remote areas is included in Second Year and you'll spend four weeks on work experience during the summer breaks following First and Second Year.
The full program of study, including topic descriptions, is set out in the Course rule and topic information for this degree.
Why Study Ecotourism at Flinders?
The Ecotourism degree at Flinders University is firmly based in the Science Faculty because the natural sciences are the basis of effective ecotourism.
The degree has been designed in consultation with the tourism industry and relevant government agencies to produce graduates suited for careers as future operators, guides, planners, and consultants in the nature-based tourism industry.
The program of study combines a science, tourism and business focus and includes
compulsory industry work experience. This course is particularly suited to
students who are good communicators, organisers, and who have the capacity to
deal with a multi-disciplinary approach to the natural word. The course was
created through consultation with the tourism industry and government and
tailored to meet the demand for informed and articulate ecotourism
professionals.
The approach at Flinders University is in marked contrast to other ecotourism degrees and courses, most of which originate in Business or Tourism and Hospitality Institutions, and are consequently unable to offer adequate training in the natural sciences.
Flinders is an excellent base for the Ecotourism degree because there are a wide variety of habitats in easy reach of the
campus. Students gain experience in a broad range of ecosystems such as marine and freshwater, arid-lands and forests.
The emphasis on professional training and industry placements means that students also gain experience throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as other parts of the world.
The Ecotourism degree together with the Cultural Tourism degree at Flinders University won the South Australian Tourism Award for Industry Education in 2000.
The formal course aims are set out in the Course rule and topic information for this degree.
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Entry requirements
Australian Students
SATAC Code: 214121
There are no prerequisites and no assumed knowledge.
Year 12 applicants must have qualified for SACE and obtained Recorded Achievement in at least five two-unit SACE Stage 2 subjects. Included among the five must be four HESS General subjects.
Applicants who have completed one of the following are eligible to apply:
- SACE (Year 12) or interstate equivalent;
- International Baccalaureate (IB);
- TAFE/VET;
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT);
- Foundation Course/Bridging Program;
- Overseas qualifications;
- Tertiary Transfer (Grade Point Average - GPA); and
- Other access schemes are eligible to apply.
International Students
CRICOS Provider Code: 00114A
See the Why choose Flinders section for the following information about this and other Flinders courses:
- Tuition fees
- Course entry requirements
- English language requirements
- Australian visa and health cover requirements
- Scholarships Information for AusAID applicants
See the When and how to apply section for information about the application process and access to application forms.
Note: Australian qualifications are recognised in most countries, but students are advised to discuss their proposed programs with the professional registration authority and relevant professional associations in their home country before commencing studies.
Required Background
There are no pre-requisites or assumed knowledge. An interest in the natural world and sustainable tourism
would be useful.
Transferring Credit
Credit transfer arrangements are in place for applicants who have successfully completed certain TAFE courses or relevant topics in other degrees.
Application for credit will be considered on an individual basis, and application can be made through the normal channels of applying for status.
An Application for Credit form and relevant policies are available on the web.
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More on Ecotourism
Research Activities
Research projects in ecotourism have investigated:
- the effectiveness of interpretation at the Wonambi Centre at Naracoorte Caves an ecotourism operation on the Coorong
- the role of the National Ecotourism Accreditation Programme in the industry
- the impacts of a tour that takes tourists to swim with sea lions and dolphins.
Students on work placements, third year and Honours students often conduct small research projects on the environmental and social impacts of ecotourism, and implementing effective interpretation through signage and brochures.
Web Resources
Disclaimer: The following links lead to a variety of Internet sites that are not affiliated with Flinders University. The presence of a link in the table below does NOT indicate an endorsement of the ownership, content or condition of the corresponding web site.
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Further Information
Flinders Web Resources
The following are additional links within the University of Flinders website where you will find information on costs, financial assistance, and other courses offered by the University.
Contact Us
If you would like to find out more about this course, or any of our other courses, please contact us:
Admissions Office
Science & Engineering
Course Co-ordinator
Apply Now!
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