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 2024 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 Professional Education Project
ENP101 Professional Education Project
ENP103 Communicating Education Project Outcomes
GEO100 Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Health Sector Business Management
INT140 Managing Organisations
PED120 Managing People
SCS130 Project Risk
Advanced courses (17)
ENP211 Communication and Thought
ENP236 Planning Principles and Practice
ENP245 Spatial Governance and Planning
ENP255 Changing Planet Earth
ENP311 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
ENP336 Property Economics
ENP355 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENP365 Planning and Environmental Law
ENP411 Regions, Change and Sustainability
ENP455 Landscapes, Place and People(24 units)
ENP460 Urbanism and Urban Design(24 units)
ENP470A Planning Theory
ENP470B Regional Infrastructure Planning
ENS253 Planning Design Studio
ENS300 Participation and Conflict Resolution
HIS265 Professional Planning Practice
SCS225 Community Planning Studio
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).
Option 2
Select 3 courses towards a Geography major study area:
2 required courses:
GEO101 Planning Practicum
GEO201 Planning Project
PLUS select 1 course from the following:
GEO301 Planning Project
GEO302 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
GEO310 Environmental and Resource Economics
GEO340 Cultural Heritage
GEO350 Social Research
PLUS select 3 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
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 ENP470A /ENP470B Planning Project course.
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- ENP211 Introducing Human Geographies
- ENP255 Hydrology and Geomorphology
- ENP311 Biogeography
- ENP336 Coastal Geomorphology
- ENP355 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
- ENP365 Historical Geographies
- ENP411 Animals and Society
- ENP455 Planning and Environmental Law
- ENP460 Urbanism and Urban Design
- SCS225 Planning Theory
- 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% |
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.