Study urban planning
A postgraduate qualification in urban planning will give you specialised knowledge and an understanding of how cities and sites are constructed, physically and socially.
What is urban planning?
Urban planning and design are essential to underpin good social, environmental and business outcomes and enable liveability in cities. Professionals in these disciplines apply critical thinking and expertise to manage and inform our urban places and meet the challenges of growth.
Objectives of strategic place-making and the integration of land use with transport and infrastructure, as part of the dynamic fabric of a city, are some of the mandates that lead to improvements in people’s lives.
We offer a variety of programs to equip you with specialised knowledge in strategic planning, design of public spaces and the spaces between buildings.
Our Master of Urban and Regional Planning and the Master of Urbanism (Urban and Regional Planning) programs are accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia and graduates are eligible for membership of the institute.
Urban planning is increasingly diverse, and the types of roles that planners can take on are continually expanding and changing. This makes it suitable for a wide range of professionals looking to enhance their career options in areas ranging from policy creation to implementation, or leading interdisciplinary problem-solving teams.
As a graduate of our programs, you will be a highly sought-after professional able to work across a variety of projects at different levels, including national, state and local governments. You could also be involved in the private sector and work for property developers and real estate entrepreneurs.
Career pathways include:
- policy development
- urban planner
- urban designer.
Urban planning courses
Urban and Regional Planning
The Master of Urban and Regional Planning focuses on developing an understanding of the ways that cities and sites are constructed: physically, socially and environmentally. You will develop the professional communication skills, reasoning and analytical processes required to make valuable contributions to the policy, technical and regulatory aspects of urban and regional planning.
Urbanism
This degree is a two‑year, 96-credit-point version of the specialist 18-month master’s programs in Urban Design, Heritage Conservation and Urban and Regional Planning. This extended timeframe enables you to experience a cross‑disciplinary approach while still specialising in a specific area of professional interest.
Urban Studies Major
The Urban Studies Major will equip you with the skills and knowledge to understand the complexity of cities and to deal with urban problems that will be the centre of a vast array of professions. It will challenge you to think about the dynamic relationship between understanding cities and city-making by exposing you to a range of critical approaches and professional practices vital to urban life.
Related courses
At the master’s level, our Urban and Regional Planning degree will take 1.5 years full time to complete (72 credit points). The program can also be taken at the level of:
- Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning (one year and 48 credit points)
- Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning (6 months and 24 credit points)
Inspiring alumni
Philip Deakin
Master of Urban and Regional Planning, 2017
Economic and Urban Planner, RPS Group
"I am currently working as an Economic and Urban Planner at RPS Group where I work primarily in strategic and economic planning. For me, the master’s program allowed me to learn new skills in urban planning that complemented my undergraduate studies in economics and finance, as well as my past work experience in commercial and economic advisory. My current role allows me to tap into both skillsets."