Students learn how to manage urban growth by planning for sustainable development, infrastructure and services.
Courses include rural and regional sustainability, regional infrastructure planning, conflict resolution and urban design. Students examine issues relating to property and environmental management and infrastructure development with an emphasis on planning at a regional government level. They complete practical projects and a work placement, and complement studies with a minor in property, environmental studies, 3D design, Indigenous studies, sustainability, sociology, or justice studies.
- 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.
Courses include rural and regional sustainability, regional infrastructure planning, conflict resolution and urban design. Students examine issues relating to property and environmental management and infrastructure development with an emphasis on planning at a regional government level. They complete practical projects and a work placement, and complement studies with a minor in property, environmental studies, 3D design, Indigenous studies, sustainability, sociology, or justice studies.
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 requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 1 core course.
- Complete 6 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 17 required advanced (200/300/400 level) 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 (100 level) 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 Student Administration.
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 participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your 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.
Program structure
Core course (1)
1 core course:
COR109 Communication and Thought
Introductory courses (6)
6 required courses:
ENP101 Planning Principles and Practice
ENP103 Spatial Governance and Planning
GEO100 Physical Geography and Mapping
INT140 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
PED120 Property Economics
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Advanced courses (17)
17 required courses:
ENP211 Planning and Environmental Law
ENP236
ENP245 Landscapes, Place and People
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(24 units)
ENP460 Planning Practicum(24 units)
ENP470A Planning Project A
ENP470B Planning Project B
ENS253 Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS300 Environmental Economics
HIS265
SCS225 Social Research
Major/Minor courses plus Electives (6)
Option 1
Select 4 courses towards you minor study area:
- 3D Design
- Communication Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Indigenous Studies
- Justice Studies
- Property
- Sociology
- Sustainability
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 Space, place and the Anthropocene
GEO201 Hydrology and Geomorphology
PLUS select 1 course from the following:
GEO301 Mapping with Drones
GEO302 Coastal Geomorphology
GEO310 Globalisation, Development and Indigenous Peoples
GEO340
GEO350 Geo-ethics: Plants, Animals and People
PLUS select 3 elective coursesfrom either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 384
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 percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- The student receiving at least 60% in ENP470A Planning Project A and ENP470B Planning Project B.
- 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