Plan better spaces and land uses for our next generation.
A career in the planning profession enables you to plan and design good places for people to live, work and play. Learn how to manage urban growth and plan for sustainable development, infrastructure and services. Our program is shaped by industry — our lecturers are well-known among planning professionals and give you an edge to planning careers.
- 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.
A career in the planning profession enables you to plan and design good places for people to live, work and play. Learn how to manage urban growth and plan for sustainable development, infrastructure and services. Our program is shaped by industry — our lecturers are well-known among planning professionals and give you an edge to planning careers.
This is not just a planning degree. Add value to your qualification and choose a specialisation such as design, communication or Indigenous studies. You’ll get hands-on experience through practical projects each year and a four week full-time placement in your final year of study. You will have a chance to put your theory into practice, make connections in the industry and even impress a potential employer. Your placement is supported by the Sunshine Coast planning profession and could be in local government, a planning consultancy, a non-government organisation or an environmental organisation.
Open your eyes to what it’s like to be a town planner in a different country and take part in the Study Overseas program as part of your degree. This program is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
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
Introductory courses (7)
COR109 Animal Form, Function and Evolution
ENP101 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
ENP103 Cell Biology
GEO100 Biodiversity and Ecology
INT140 Animal Ecophysiology
PED120 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SCS130 Animal Behaviour
Advanced courses (16)
ENP211 Global-Change Ecology
ENP236 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
ENP245 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENP255 Coastal and Marine Ecology
ENP311 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
ENP336 Coastal Conservation Planning
ENP355 Business Analytics
ENP365 Communication and Thought
ENP411 Planning Principles and Practice
ENP455 Spatial Governance and Planning(24 units)
ENP460 Changing Planet Earth(24 units)
ENP470A An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
ENP470B Property Economics
ENS253 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENS300 Planning and Environmental Law
HIS265 Regions, Change and Sustainability
SCS225 Landscapes, Place and People
Major/Minor courses plus Electives (6)
Option 1
Select 4 courses towards your minor study area:
PLUS select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
The remaining elective* courses may be chosen from either (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
*The number of elective courses may vary depending on the minor chosen.
Option 2
Select 6 courses towards your major study area:
The remaining elective* courses may be chosen from either (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
*The number of elective courses may vary depending on the major chosen.
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 student receiving at least 60% in ENP470 Planning Project course.
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- ENP211 Planning and Environmental Law
- ENP255 Public Space Planning and Design - Studio II
- ENP311
- 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
- Where the student has achieved a credit or higher from this calculation, the following classes of honours may be awarded:
|
Class of Honours |
Required Grade Point Average # |
Corresponding Grade |
|
Class 1 |
6.5–7.0 |
High Distinction 85% and above |
|
Class 2 (Division 1) |
6.0–<> |
Distinction 75% - 84.99% |
|
Class 2 (Division 2) |
5.0–<> |
Credit 65% - 74.99% |
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 7 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 17 required advanced level (200/300/400 coded) 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 level (100 coded) 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 your Faculty.
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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Faculty 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.