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.
There’s help available
Find out about student support services and scholarships including the Dillon Folker Stephens Bursary and the Vantage Holdings and UDIA Regional and Urban Planning Bursary specifically for planning students
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 Blood Banking and Transfusion Sciences
ENP101 Introduction to Economics
ENP103 Applied Microeconomics
GEO100 Applied Macroeconomics
INT140 Money and Banking
PED120 Mathematical Economics
SCS130 Econometrics
Advanced courses (17)
ENP211 Introduction to Mathematics
ENP236 Introductory Calculus
ENP245 Business Finance
ENP255 Trade and Finance in a Global Economy
ENP311 Introduction to Economics
ENP336 Applied Microeconomics
ENP355 Applied Macroeconomics
ENP365 Money and Banking
ENP411 Mathematical Economics
ENP455 Econometrics(24 units)
ENP460 Business Finance(24 units)
ENP470A Trade and Finance in a Global Economy(0 units)
ENP470B Critical Social Theory: Power, Critique and Praxis(24 units)
ENS253 Collective Critical Practice: Developmental Approaches
ENS300 Mental Health and Social Work
HIS200 Children, Youth and Families: Challenges, Critique and Change
SCS225 Engaging effectively with culturally diverse people
Major/Minor courses plus Electives (6) (72 units)
Option 1
Select 4 courses towards your minor study area:
PLUS select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
The remaining elective* courses may be chosen from either (Arts, Business and Law 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, Business and Law 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 Master of Social Work Field Education 1 Planning Project course.
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- ENP211 Engaging Effectively with Aboriginal People
- ENP255 Ethical Social Work Practice in Complex Contexts
- ENP311 Advocacy and Leadership in Social Policy Contexts
- ENP336 Social Work in Health and Mental Health
- ENP355 Advanced Social Research
- ENP365 Master of Social Work Field Education 2
- ENP411 Communication and Thought
- ENP455 Biodiversity and Ecology
- ENP460 Chemistry
- SCS225 Science Research Methods
- 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: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)