Design the cities and places of the future
Urban designers and town planners create precincts and spaces that bring people together, and connect communities to the places around them. Set yourself apart with a specialist degree in urban design – the only undergraduate degree of its kind accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
Previously the Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning (Honours).
- 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.
Urban designers and town planners create precincts and spaces that bring people together, and connect communities to the places around them. Set yourself apart with a specialist degree in urban design – the only undergraduate degree of its kind accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
- Learn how to manage urban growth and plan for sustainable development
- Study how town planning relates to politics, economics and the law
- Explore how to design safe, healthy and vibrant urban places
- Understand the impacts of a changing climate on the places we live, work and play
- Focus on the planning needs and challenges of diverse communities and regions
- Get practical experience through at least 160 hours of supervised professional work
Scholarships
USC offers scholarships specifically for planning students, including the Vantage Holdings and UDIA Regional and Urban Planning Bursary. Find out more about USC scholarships and how to apply.
Career opportunities
Urban planning, town planning, urban design, regional planning, policy development, property development, planning consultancy, environmental management, community development, development assessment, heritage protection, infrastructure planning
Membership
Graduates may apply to join the 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.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
COR109 Business Law
ENP101 Managing Human Resources
ENP103 Leadership for Organisations
GEO100 Enabling Team Synergy and Performance
INT140 World of Work: Your Pathway to Employment
PED120 Business, Governance and Society
SCS130 Managing Workplace Relations
Developing and Graduate courses (17) 228 units
ENP211 Cross-Cultural Management
ENP236 Learning and Development
ENP245 Research Methods in Psychology A
ENP255 Physiological Psychology
ENP311 Introduction to Human Development
ENP336 Organisational Change and Agility
ENP355 Research Methods in Psychology B
ENP365 Social Psychology
ENP411 Motivation and Emotion
ENP455 Advanced Methods in Psychology(24 units)
ENP460 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies(24 units)
ENP470A Personality and Assessment(0 units)
ENP470B Psychology of Health and Wellbeing(24 units)
ENS253 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
ENS300 Human Associative Learning
HIS200 Abnormal Psychology
SCS225 Adult Development and Ageing
Major/Minor courses plus Electives (6) 72 units
Option 1
Select 4 courses (48 units) towards your minor study area:
PLUS select 2 elective courses (24 units) 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 (72 units) 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 Urban Design and Town 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 Coastal and Marine Ecology Planning Project course.
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- ENP211 Climate Change Adaptation
- ENP255 Coastal Conservation Planning
- ENP311 Aquaculture
- ENP336 Coastal Geomorphology
- ENP355 Elements of Design
- ENP365 Design in Application
- ENP411 Animation Principles, Process and Production
- ENP455 Animation and Visualisation
- ENP460 Digital Sculpting: Creatures and Characters
- SCS225 Sensing Environments
- 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 (120 units), 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) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)