Bachelor of Urban Design and Town Planning (Honours)
Plan better neighbourhoods and communities of all kinds for our next generation. A career in urban design and town planning enables you to plan, design and shape good places for people to live, work, learn and play. This is not just a planning degree.
In this program you will:
- Manage urban growth and plan for sustainable development, infrastructure and services
- Choose a specialisation such as environmental management or geospatial analysis
- Get hands-on experience through practical projects each year and learn how to use data for better urban design and town planning decision-making
- Put theory into practice, make connections in the industry and impress potential employers
- Undertake a five-week industry placement in local government, state government, planning consultancies, non-government or environmental organisations
- Graduate with a degree qualification that is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia and recognised Australia wide
Location
CRICOS code
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSP Annual feeQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
Program to be rolled out. 1st year offered from 2024, 2nd year offered from 2025, 3rd year offered from 2026, 4th year offered from 2027.
Career opportunities
- Community development
- Development assessment
- Infrastructure development
- Place maker
- Planning consultancy
- Property development
- Social planner
- Strategic planning and policy
- Transport planner
- Urban designer
Memberships
Graduates may be eligible to become members of:
- Planning Institute of Australia after two years of professional practice
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Urban Design and Town Planning (Honours) is fully accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 30
- Total units
- 384
- Duration
- 4 years 4 years
- CRICOS code
- 095999F
- UniSC program code
- AR406
- Program coordinator
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
ENP101 Introduction to Urban Design & Town Planning - Studio I
ENP103 Planning Theory, Governance and Politics
ENP104 Urban Economics and System Analytics
ENP105 Introduction to Sustainable Urban Development & Town Planning
ENP106 Planning and Design for Health and Wellbeing
GEO100 The Changing Planet
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SUS101 Foundations of Sustainability - Investigating Planetary Health
Developing courses (8) 96 units
ENP203 Urban Climate Theory and Science
ENP211 Planning and Environmental Law
ENP245 Landscapes, Place and People
ENP255 Public Space Planning and Design - Studio II
ENS204 Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
ENS253 Geographic Information Science and Technology
HIS200 Heritage: Australian and Global Contexts
SCS225 Social Research
Graduate courses (9) 144 units
ENP300 Culture and Identity in Cities and Regions
ENP336 Strategic Infrastructure Planning
ENP355 Neighbourhood Planning and Design - Studio III
ENP365 Participation and Conflict Resolution
ENP411 Advanced Planning Policy and Practice
ENP455 Community Planning and Design - Studio IV(24 units)
ENP460 Planning Practicum(24 units)
ENP470A Planning Project A">ENP470A Planning Project A
ENP470B Planning Project B">ENP470B Planning Project B
Minor courses (4) 48 units
Environmental Management
Geospatial Analysis
Sociology
Sustainability
Select 0 to 12 units from the undergraduate elective course options.*
*The number of electives will be dependant on the minor chosen.
Honours
The Bachelor Urban Design and Town Planning (Honours) may be awarded with Honours according to the Bachelor Honours Degree - Academic Policy. The class of honours to be awarded is dependent upon:
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified in the list below; and
- ENP103 Planning Theory, Governance and Politics
- ENP211 Planning and Environmental Law
- ENP255 Public Space Planning and Design - Studio II
- ENP336 Strategic Infrastructure Planning
- ENP355 Neighbourhood Planning and Design - Studio III
- ENP365 Participation and Conflict Resolution
- ENP411 Advanced Planning Policy and Practice
- ENP455 Community Planning and Design - Studio IV
- ENP460 Planning Practicum
- SCS225 Social Research
- Planning Project (ENP470A and ENP470B)(24 units).
Students must complete a minimum of eight courses in the list including the planning project for an Honours grade to be awarded.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.
Entry requirements
For entry into most UniSC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.
Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.
Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that UniSC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.
If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.
English language requirements
You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 60.00 |
| Moreton Bay | 60.00 |
- Recommended prior study
- English
Headstart Program - Years 10 to 12
The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.
Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12
The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at UniSC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.
Prior study or work experience
If you:
- have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
- have a TAFE/VET qualification
- have relevant work experience, or
- have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)
You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.
Tertiary Preparation Pathway
If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.
If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.
It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.
Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS)
You may be eligible for direct entry into a UniSC degree based on your potential to succeed, under UniSC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.
High-school leavers completing year 12 are not eligible, and must apply through QTAC.
- CSP estimate
- A$11,232 - 2025 Fees
- Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$26,750
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.
If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.
Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:
- meet the citizenship and residency requirements
- complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
- meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.
International fee-paying places
Annual tuition fees are based on 2025 rates and the equivalent full-time student load as per the recommended study sequence in the relevant program.
Actual fees payable are based on the actual enrolment load in a teaching period (excluding Study Abroad and Postgraduate Qualifying Pathway).
All prices quoted are in Australian Dollars (A$).
Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to UniSC if they meet certain criteria.
Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.
No matter what kind of future you’re looking for, you can find it at UniSC. Our programs offer the choice and flexibility you need to get started on any career goal.
Visit How to apply for simple steps to submit your international student application and start your UniSC experience today.
Need help with submitting your application?
UniSC has appointed representatives to assist you with submitting your application and provide information about the steps you need to complete to begin your studies. You can contact a UniSC Representative in your area.
Any questions? Contact us.
QTAC code
| Location | QTAC code |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 011091 |
| Moreton Bay | 014092 |
Need advice on what to study or how to apply?
Our Student Central team can help.
Call us +61 7 5430 2890
Email us information@usc.edu.au
For locations and opening hours, visit Student Central.