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
Program Structure
Introductory courses (7) (84 units)
COR109 Research Methods in Education
ENP101 Professional Education Project
ENP103 Second Language Acquisition and Learning
GEO100 Second Language Teaching Methodologies
INT140 Communicating Education Project Outcomes
PED120 Education Research an Introduction
SCS130 Research Methods in Education
Advanced courses (17) (228 units)
ENP211 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
ENP236 Leadership for Learning Communities
ENP245 Assessment: Principles and Practices
ENP255 Designing an Education Research Proposal
ENP311 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
ENP336 Pedagogies for Engagement
ENP355 Education Research Project
ENP365 Professional Learning
ENP411 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
ENP455 Leadership for Learning Communities(24 units)
ENP460 Assessment: Principles and Practices(24 units)
ENP470A Interlanguage Phonology(0 units)
ENP470B Language, Culture and Second Language Learning(24 units)
ENS253 Education Research Project
ENS300 Education Research Project
HIS200 Education Research Project
SCS225 Communicating Education Project Outcomes
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 Researching Education Planning Project course.
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- ENP211 Designing Research
- ENP255 Education Research Project
- ENP311 Communicating Education Research Outcomes
- ENP336 Education Research Theories and Methodologies
- ENP355 International Trade and Finance
- ENP365 Innovation and Management Decision Making
- ENP411 Managing Knowledge and Global Change
- ENP455 Comparative and International Employment Relations
- ENP460 Managing Across Global Cultures
- SCS225 Strategic Management
- 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
Recommended study sequences
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 your selected major and/or minor
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
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan