Students learn how to manage urban growth by planning for sustainable development, infrastructure and services.
Courses include rural and regional sustainability, regional infrastructure planning, conflict resolution and urban design. Students examine issues relating to property and environmental management and infrastructure development with an emphasis on planning at a regional government level. They complete practical projects and a work placement, and complement studies with a minor in property, environmental studies, 3D design, Indigenous studies, sustainability, sociology, or justice studies.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Courses include rural and regional sustainability, regional infrastructure planning, conflict resolution and urban design. Students examine issues relating to property and environmental management and infrastructure development with an emphasis on planning at a regional government level. They complete practical projects and a work placement, and complement studies with a minor in property, environmental studies, 3D design, Indigenous studies, sustainability, sociology, or justice studies.
Career opportunities
Regional planning and policy, planning consultancy, community development, development assessment, land / infrastructure development.
Membership
Graduates may apply to join the Planning Institute of Australia after two years of professional practice.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning (Honours) is fully accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 1 core course.
- Complete 6 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 17 required advanced (200/300/400 level) courses.
- Complete 4 courses towards a minor plus 2 elective courses, or complete 3 courses to complete a Geography major plus 3 elective courses.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory (100 level) courses, including the core course.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Communication, School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- (Optional) Use electives to complete a minor to supplement the required major.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, studios reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Core course (1)
1 core course:
COR109 Dynamics 2
Introductory courses (6)
6 required courses:
ENP101 Communication and Thought
ENP103 Planning Principles and Practice
GEO100 Spatial Governance and Planning
INT140 Physical Geography and Mapping
PED120 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
SCS130 Property Economics
Advanced courses (17)
17 required courses:
ENP211 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENP236 Planning and Environmental Law
ENP245 Regions, Change and Sustainability
ENP255 Landscapes, Place and People
ENP311 Urbanism and Urban Design
ENP336 Planning Theory
ENP355 Regional Infrastructure Planning
ENP365 Planning Design Studio
ENP411 Participation and Conflict Resolution
ENP455 Professional Planning Practice(24 units)
ENP460 Community Planning Studio(24 units)
ENP470A Planning Practicum
ENP470B Planning Project
ENS253 Planning Project
ENS300 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
HIS265 Environmental and Resource Economics
SCS225 Cultural Heritage
Major/Minor courses plus Electives (6)
Option 1
Select 4 courses towards you minor study area:
- 3D Design
- Communication Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Indigenous Studies
- Justice Studies
- Property
- Sociology
- Sustainability
PLUS select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Option 2
Select 3 courses towards a Geography major study area:
2 required courses:
GEO101 Social Research
GEO201 Introducing Human Geographies
PLUS select 1 course from the following:
GEO301 Hydrology and Geomorphology
GEO302 Biogeography
GEO310 Coastal Geomorphology
GEO340 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
GEO350 Historical Geographies
PLUS select 3 elective coursesfrom either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 384
Honours
The Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning (Honours) may be awarded with Honours. The class of honours to be awarded is dependent upon:
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- The student receiving at least 60% in ENP470A Animals and Society and ENP470B Planning Project.
- ENP211 Planning Project
- ENP255 Planning and Environmental Law
- ENP311 Urbanism and Urban Design
- ENP336 Planning Theory
- ENP355 Regional Infrastructure Planning
- ENP365 Planning Design Studio
- ENP411 Participation and Conflict Resolution
- ENP455 Professional Planning Practice
- ENP460 Community Planning Studio
- SCS225 Planning Practicum