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 Biochemical Pharmacology
ENP101 Clinical Embryology
ENP103 Organic Chemistry
GEO100 Medicinal Organic Chemistry
INT140 Medical Microbiology
PED120 Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology
SCS130 Molecular Biotechnology
Advanced courses (17)
ENP211 Microbial Pathogenesis
ENP236 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
ENP245 Advanced Haematology
ENP255 Medical Biochemistry
ENP311 Principles of Nutrition
ENP336 Nutritional Biochemistry
ENP355 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
ENP365 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
ENP411 Analytical Sciences
ENP455 Functional Anatomy(24 units)
ENP460 Exercise Physiology I(24 units)
ENP470A Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health(0 units)
ENP470B Special Research Project(24 units)
ENS253 Workplace Learning I
ENS300 Communication and Thought
HIS200 Urban Planning Principles and Practice
SCS225 Spatial Governance and Planning
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 Changing Planet Earth Planning Project course.
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- ENP211 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
- ENP255 Property Economics
- ENP311 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
- ENP336 Planning and Environmental Law
- ENP355 Regions, Change and Sustainability
- ENP365 Landscapes, Place and People
- ENP411 Urbanism and Urban Design
- ENP455 Planning Theory
- ENP460 Strategic Infrastructure Planning
- SCS225 Neighbourhood Planning and Design Studio
- 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)