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 Honours Reading Course for BU401 and BU402
ENP101 Communication and Thought
ENP103 Planning Principles and Practice
GEO100 Spatial Governance and Planning
INT140 Changing Planet Earth
PED120 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
SCS130 Property Economics
Advanced courses (17) (228 units)
ENP211 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENP236 Planning and Environmental Law
ENP245 Regions, Change and Sustainability
ENP255 Landscapes, Place and People
ENP311 Urbanism and Urban Design
ENP336 Planning Theory
ENP355 Regional Infrastructure Planning
ENP365 Planning Design Studio
ENP411 Participation and Conflict Resolution
ENP455 Professional Planning Practice(24 units)
ENP460 Community Planning Studio(24 units)
ENP470A Planning Practicum(0 units)
ENP470B Planning Project(24 units)
ENS253 Planning Project
ENS300 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
HIS200 Environmental and Resource Economics
SCS225 Heritage: Australian and Global Contexts
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 Social Research Planning Project course.
- The percentage results achieved by study in ten courses (144 Units) as specified below; and
- ENP211 Planning Project
- ENP255 Planning and Environmental Law
- ENP311 Urbanism and Urban Design
- ENP336 Planning Theory
- ENP355 Regional Infrastructure Planning
- ENP365 Planning Design Studio
- ENP411 Participation and Conflict Resolution
- ENP455 Professional Planning Practice
- ENP460 Community Planning Studio
- SCS225 Planning Practicum
- 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