| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-03-01 | - |
| 2024-07-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Master of City Planning at UNSW is a two-year, professionally accredited postgraduate degree that prepares students for careers in urban and regional planning. The program covers a broad range of urban issues through theory and practice, including urban design, city economics and development, environment and sustainability, and planning law and administration. Graduates are in-demand and work in planning and urban policy-related roles across all tiers of government, as well as in private sector consultancies and other built environment professions.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of City Planning at UNSW is a two-year, professionally accredited postgraduate degree that allows you to bring experience from previous study to launch a career in urban and regional planning. City planning is an exciting, varied, and progressive profession that plays a pivotal role in decisions shaping the future of cities and regions. Through a career in planning, you’ll improve lives by designing cities that are sustainable, equitable, healthy, and inspiring. As part of the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture you’ll join a uniquely interdisciplinary and supportive community. You’ll work alongside students and professionals from across the built environment, just as you would in the workplace. You’ll benefit from UNSW’s strong ties to industry and world-leading research in city planning, as you explore diverse subjects including city renewal, city analytics, housing policy, and healthy sustainable communities. In your second year, you’ll undertake a major capstone project, which allows you to deepen your expertise in an area of specialisation and empowers you to kick-start your career by adding to your professional portfolio.
Outline:
The key features and subject areas in this degree will see you explore a broad range of urban issues through theory and practice, preparing you for diverse, future-focused careers. Areas of study include:
- Urban design
- City economics and development
- Environment and sustainability
- City building – infrastructure and transport
- Strategic spatial planning
- Planning law and administration
- Planning research and analysis
- Urban management and development assessment
- Urban equity and health
Careers:
The Master of City Planning will prepare you for a career through which you can drive solutions to grand challenges like climate change and inequality. Our graduates are in-demand and work in planning and urban policy-related roles across all tiers of government (Federal, State, Local), as well as in private sector consultancies, property development, and other built environment professions where planning skills are required. The electives you choose can enable you to move into specialist areas with diverse positive impacts, like housing, city analytics, or urban design. You’ll also gain interdisciplinary skills that will enable you to move into wider policy, research, analytical, creative, and community roles.
University of New South Wales, Sydney
Overview:
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney is a leading public research university located in Sydney, Australia. It is renowned for its academic excellence and is consistently ranked among the top universities in Australia and globally.
Services Offered:
UNSW Sydney offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Study Options:
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, short courses, online programs, professional development opportunities, and Higher Degree Research.Campus Experience:
A vibrant campus environment with various facilities, including accommodation, student support services, and a comprehensive library.Support Services:
Academic advising, career counseling, financial aid, and mental health resources.International Student Support:
Dedicated services for international students, including visa assistance, cultural orientation, and English language programs.Student Life and Campus Experience:
UNSW Sydney provides a dynamic and engaging campus experience for its students. The university boasts a diverse student body, a wide range of clubs and societies, and numerous social and cultural events throughout the year. Students can enjoy a vibrant campus life with opportunities to connect with peers, explore their interests, and develop their skills.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Academic Excellence:
UNSW Sydney is recognized for its high-quality academic programs and world-class research.Global Reputation:
The university consistently ranks among the top universities in Australia and internationally.Research Opportunities:
Students have access to cutting-edge research facilities and opportunities to work alongside leading researchers.Career Development:
UNSW Sydney provides strong career support services and connections with industry partners.Vibrant Campus Life:
The university offers a diverse and engaging campus environment with numerous opportunities for student involvement.Academic Programs:
UNSW Sydney offers a wide range of academic programs across its eight faculties:
- Arts, Design & Architecture
- Business School
- Engineering
- Law & Justice
- Medicine & Health
- Science
- UNSW Canberra
The university is particularly known for its strengths in engineering, business, medicine, and science.
Entry Requirements:
To gain entry into the Master of City Planning, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a credit average or above (Weighted Average Mark 65+). If you have already completed an Australian planning degree that is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia, this program is not designed for you. Instead, please consider the Master of Property and Development, the Master of Landscape Architecture or the Master of Environmental Management. If you have an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, or you’ve partially completed a relevant postgraduate program, you can apply to have this study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit for certain subjects will be counted towards the Master of City Planning. What is a cognate discipline? City and urban planning are interdisciplinary in nature, which is why we recognise the benefits that students from diverse academic backgrounds bring to this program. If you’ve studied any of the following subject areas in your undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for RPL. Built environment subject areas, including: architecture, landscape architecture, construction, property development and urban design. Social, economic and environmental science subject areas, including: geography, urban studies and sociology, demography, economics, social policy and politics, communication studies, health studies, international development, environmental ecology, environmental management, environmental sustainability. Law/Jurisprudence Environmental and civil engineering subject areas, including surveying and spatial science degrees. RPL for these study areas will be limited to 24 Units of Credit (UOC), which is normally the equivalent of 4 subjects.
Admission pathways
If you don’t meet the entry requirements outlined above, you may be eligible to study the Graduate Certificate in City Planning, then continue into the Master’s degree once this is complete. This will be at the discretion of the Program Director or Academic Coordinator who assesses applications on a case-by-case basis.
