Master of Urban Design (Urban Design and Planning)
The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.
The two year Master of Urban Design (Urban Design & Planning) develops specialist knowledge and skills in both urban design and planning. It compresses the essentials of two graduate streams into two years (four semesters) of full-time study. The course will appeal to those local and international students who wish to extend their abilities in urban design and seek membership of the Planning Institute of Australia.
You will engage in study in areas including urban design, urban morphology, planning procedures, planning law and environmental planning.
Units of study
For full information on Units of Study available in this course, please visit the Sydney Courses website
Unit of Study information on faculty page
Full units of study list
- ARCH9001 - Urban Design Studio A
- ARCH9002 - Urban Design Studio B
- ARCH9028 - Conservation Methods and Practices
- ARCH9031 - Research Report
- ARCH9039 - General Elective 1
- ARCH9040 - General Elective 2
- ARCH9045 - Dissertation 1
- ARCH9046 - Dissertation 2
- ARCH9058 - General Elective 7
- ARCH9059 - General Elective 8
- ARCH9060 - Urban Design Report
- ARCH9061 - East Asian Arch and Urbanism (Classical)
- ARCH9062 - Urban Design - Ideas and Methods
- ARCH9063 - Urban Morphology
- ARCH9074 - History and Theory of Conservation
- ARCH9075 - New Design in Old Settings
- ARCH9080 - Urban Ecology,Design and Planning
- ARCH9081 - Heritage Law and Policy
- ARCH9083 - Conservation of Modern Materials
- ARCH9085 - General Elective 9
- ARCH9086 - General Elective 10
- ARCH9087 - General Elective 11
- ARCH9088 - General Elective 12
- ARCH9100 - Introduction to Urban Design
- DESA9008 - Object Design
- DESA9009 - Public Art
- DESA9011 - Photography 2
- DESA9012 - Screen Printing on Paper
- DESA9013 - Sculpture
- DESA9014 - Ceramics (Handbuilding)
- DESA9015 - Site Specific Art
- DESC9014 - Building Construction Technology
- DESC9015 - Building Energy Analysis
- DESC9040 - Electrical Services
- DESC9047 - Strategic Facility Management
- DESC9048 - Operational Facility Management
- DESC9049 - Financial Decision Making
- DESC9059 - Hydraulic Services
- DESC9067 - Mechanical Services
- DESC9071 - Organisational Analysis and Behaviour
- DESC9074 - Project Management
- DESC9090 - Audio Systems and Measurement
- DESC9111 - Energy Management in Buildings
- DESC9117 - Sound Design for New Media
- DESC9133 - Architectural Acoustics Practice
- DESC9134 - Audio and Acoustics Seminar
- DESC9137 - Spatial Audio
- DESC9138 - Architectural and Audio Acoustics
- DESC9147 - Sustainable Building Design Principles
- DESC9148 - Sustainable Building Design Practice
- DESC9150 - Sustainability Research Project
- DESC9153 - Graduate Internship
- DESC9154 - Lighting Design Software
- DESC9161 - Entertainment Lighting
- DESC9164 - Lighting Technologies
- DESC9166 - Photometry and Colorimetry
- DESC9167 - Light and Vision
- DESC9169 - Daylight in Buildings
- DESC9172 - Building Asset Management
- DESC9183 - Risk Management
- DESC9192 - Energy Code Compliance in Buildings
- DESC9200 - Introduction to Architectural Science
- DESC9201 - Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
- DESC9660 - Graduate Exchange Core A
- DESC9661 - Graduate Exchange Core B
- DESC9662 - Graduate Exchange Core C
- DESC9663 - Graduate Exchange Core D
- DESC9664 - Graduate Exchange Optional A
- DESC9665 - Graduate Exchange Optional B
- DESC9666 - Graduate Exchange Optional C
- DESC9667 - Graduate Exchange Optional D
- DESC9668 - Graduate Exchange Elective A
- DESC9669 - Graduate Exchange Elective B
- DESC9670 - Graduate Exchange Elective C
- DESC9671 - Graduate Exchange Elective D
- DESC9672 - Graduate Exchange Core E
- ENVI5801 - Social Science of Environment
- ENVI5903 - Sustainable Development
- IDEA9101 - IDEA Laboratory 1
- IDEA9102 - IDEA Studio 1
- IDEA9106 - Design Thinking
- IDEA9201 - IDEA Laboratory 2
- IDEA9202 - IDEA Studio 2
- IDEA9302 - IDEA Research Project
- IDEA9303 - IDEA Dissertation
- PLAN9010 - Planning Dissertation 1
- PLAN9011 - Planning Dissertation 2
- PLAN9018 - Planning Report
- PLAN9045 - Economics for Planners
- PLAN9049 - International Urban Development Planning
- PLAN9061 - Planning Principles,Systems & Practice
- PLAN9062 - Planning Law
- PLAN9063 - Strategic Planning and Design
- PLAN9064 - Land Use and Infrastructure Planning
- PLAN9068 - History & Theory of Planning & Design
- PLAN9071 - Housing & Urban and Regional Development
- PLAN9073 - GIS Based Planning Policy and Analysis
- PLAN9074 - Public & Community Finance for Planners
Further course information
Study plan
Candidates for the Master of Urban Design (Urban Design and Planning) complete 96 credit points (cp) made up of at least 11 core units of study (78cp) including two 12cp studio units, and three elective units (18cp) offered by the faculty, subject to meeting prior learning requirements and timetabling. Areas of study include urban design, urban morphology, planning procedures, planning law and environmental planning.
Progression rules
The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of their award course. In addition to the common triggers used to identify students not meeting academic progression requirements, students must pass any unit of study identified in the course resolutions as being critical to progression through the course.
Course outcomes and further study
Graduate opportunities
The Master of Urban Design (Urban Design and Planning) will prepare graduates for a career as an urban designer. Urban designers take into consideration a project's purpose, size and geographic data in their design recommendations. Working with private companies or public agencies, urban designers may be responsible for surveying land for a new housing complex, expanding a medical facility or developing a subway system. Urban designers may also participate in educating civic leaders and the public about the details of the projects scheduled for their communities.
Further study
The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning places a high emphasis on its research activity. We have a vibrantly diverse community of scholars and practitioners, many of whom have taken national and international leadership roles in their fields. The faculty offers the opportunity to pursue research degrees, both MPhil and PhD in four disciplines: architecture and allied arts; architectural and design science; design lab; and urban and regional planning and policy.
You may elect to study in any of these fields, or to pursue interdisciplinary studies in a combination of fields with the faculty or between the faculty and elsewhere in the University. The University and the faculty have formal links, including exchange agreements and memoranda of understanding, with institutions throughout Asia, Europe, Scandinavia and North America. These translate into research opportunities for students as well as staff.
These degrees are supported through a wide range of resources, including extensively equipped laboratories and comprehensive workshop facilities.
Other study options
The Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning runs continuing professional development short courses, including an online program, which provide a valuable opportunity for professionals to update their knowledge to enhance career pathways or for personal interest. All of our courses qualify for CPD points with AIA, SBSE/EA and AIRAH members.
If you are considering further study it is also an opportunity to try a subject from a course to gauge its suitability. You have the choice to either complete the assessment work or not. If you do successfully complete the assessment work you will be eligible to receive 6 credit points per subject towards a future degree. For more information please see the faculty website [hyperlink: http://sydney.edu.au/architecture/programs_of_study/continuing_professional_development.shtml].
Admission
Admission requirements
A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Urban Design (Urban Design and Planning) will need to submit a portfolio of work with their application. Your portfolio should show several examples of
design and design-related work completed as part of your
university studies and/or samples of work from professional
or equivalent experience (preferably both). If group or
professional work has been completed, it is important that you indicate clearly your particular role in producing each item of submitted work. The portfolio must be on paper only, consist of
approximately 10 A4 or A3 sheets, and include drawings and
other relevant items of illustration such as photographs of
models, with supporting explanation.
How to apply
Domestic students
How to apply
Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.
International students
How to apply
Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).
Fee disclaimer
Domestic students
Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount
Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Master of Urban Design (Urban Design and Planning).
Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount
Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Master of Urban Design (Urban Design and Planning).
Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
This 2013, tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.
Annual review for postgraduate domestic tuition fee
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.
The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents
Please note that if you are classified by the University as a Research Training Scheme student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2010, you will be exempt from the payment of any SCA or tuition fees for courses undertaken as part of a Research Masters degree and Research Doctoral degree. More information about your eligibility for this Scheme is available here.
International students
International tuition fees for postgraduate students
This 2013, tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.
Annual review
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. The University's Future Students' webpage has further information about these additional incidental fees for postgraduate coursework students and postgraduate research students.
In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.