Study Master of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DMUR

SATAC Code
4CM004 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements
Applicants should normally hold a degree in any discipline, or should have completed the Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning.

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Degree overview

Benefit from our long-standing history – with more than 70 years’ experience, we’re Australia’s longest provider of planning education.
Gain real-world experience when you complete a professional work placement or project during your second year.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the professional practice of urban and regional planning.
Study in a city that had developed a world class e-planning system based on a fundamental overhaul of procedures, codes and zones.
Develop advanced land use policy, urban design, spatial analysis and communication skills in a range of complex settings that can help state and local governments and the private sector respond to the pressures of population growth and climate change.
Graduate with advanced project specific research skills.
Gain a qualification that is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
Gain skills working in a multi-disciplinary context.
Be taught by world-class leaders in research – UniSA's research in urban and regional planning is ranked world-class¹.
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities², we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
²UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #46, 2022 THE Young University Rankings, Ranked #29, 2021 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50.

Snapshot

Planners help make inner cities, suburbs and regional towns more liveable and sustainable. Planners shape cities, towns and regions through the development planning policy that integrates infrastructure and services. They develop land use plans, strategies and designs that can improve the quality of life for people and support ecosystem services¹.

A key component of this masters degree relates to the planning and development of environmentally sustainable cities and regions that acknowledge social diversity and the need for greater physical activity and contact with nature, which can help to prevent chronic diseases associated with excessive sedentary behaviour. You will also develop advanced research skills when you complete an individual research project under the guidance of a qualified research supervisor.

The courses studied focus on real-world issues and provide you with relevant skills that are transferable in the workplace. You will get the opportunity to practice these skills when you complete a professional work placement or project during your final year.

¹Planning Institute of Australia, Become a Planner 2020

What you'll learn

This masters degree will equip you with the knowledge, skills and practical expertise needed to embark on a career in the field of urban and regional planning.

You will learn about:

sustainable urban design and development
planning governance and policy
planning for healthy cities
planning law and ethics
development assessment
social policy and community based planning
transport and planning
research techniques

You will also develop an advanced knowledge of research methodologies and their applications to particular planning research tasks and challenges.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Principles of Urban and Regional Planning	ARCH 5011	4.5		Rule(s): 1
Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy	ARCH 5054	4.5
Transport and Planning	ARCH 5014	4.5
Planning for Healthy Cities	ARCH 5043	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Sustainable Urban Design	ARCH 5013	4.5		Rule(s): 1
Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability	ARCH 5041	4.5
Planning Law and Ethics	ARCH 6014	4.5
Development Assessment	ARCH 6013	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Research Methods (Creative)	CREA 4004	4.5
Social Planning and Community Issues	ARCH 5022	4.5
Planning Theory and Practice	ARCH 5017	4.5
Sustainable Urban Design Studio	ARCH 5030	4.5		Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Research Project in Planning	ARCH 5053	9
Professional Placement or Project	GRAP 5004	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Electives
Transport Policy	BUSS 5127	4.5
UniSA Creative Study Tour	ARCH 2045	4.5
Urban Regeneration	ARCH 5051	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Graduates of DBAE Bachelor of Architectural Studies will receive 13.5 units of credit. Graduates of DBAE Bachelor of Architectural Studies who have completed Principles of Urban and Regional Planning (ARCH 5011) will receive additional credit for this course.

Notes

1. Students are required to take 1 elective course (4.5 units). Students may substitute electives from other university programs with the approval of the Program Director.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include individual and/or group:

presentations
reports
essays
placement or professional project
literature/artefact reviews
research proposals
research projects.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Master of Urban and Regional Planning

UniSA has more than 70 years of experience in planning education – which makes us the longest provider of planning education in the country.

Throughout your studies, you will have access to and learn from prominent industry figures through lectures, national and international field trips, industry/professional-based projects and workshops.

You will graduate with highly developed professional competencies, placing you to make sound, logical and ethical decisions in a range of planning contexts throughout your career.

Our commitment to research with an industry focus is unprecedented in South Australia. In the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia evaluation, 100 per cent of our assessed research was rated world-class or above.

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning also has academic alignment to our UniSA Creative Research Centres including the Australia Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE) and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI).

We are fast becoming a renowned centre of innovation and enterprise in the sectors that will drive Australia's future. It’s a very good time to choose UniSA for your postgraduate study.

Real-world connections

During your final year you will have the opportunity to embark on a professional placement or project where you will work alongside professional planners – this is a great learning opportunity, and a great way to begin building an important network of industry contacts.

UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

Career outcomes

Your career

Planners work at local, national and international levels and are involved in a diverse range of professional activities, including environmental, social, heritage, transport and community planning, and urban design. Planners often find employment with local, state and federal governments and in private consultancies.

This degree opens up excellent career opportunities for graduates. Graduates may be involved in:

planning and designing towns, suburbs and regions.
development assessment
environmental and transport planning
social and community based planning
the protection of heritage buildings and landscapes
planning for active living and health promotion
neighbourhood and urban regeneration
development of regional and rural communities
infill and master planning.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is recognised by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and provides full exemption from the educational requirements for membership of the Institute. Holding a professionally accredited qualification enables graduates to apply for Corporate membership of PIA and subsequently undertake training to gain status as a Professional Certified Planner. Graduates will be required to undertake continuing professional development which is offered by PIA.

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning

This degree is part of a nested suite of degrees, which means it may be possible to exit early and graduate with a graduate diploma.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

Scholarship for student leadership

Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.

Learn more

International travel grants

Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

As an urban and regional planning student you will have access to:

specialised computer suites
Australia’s only Architecture Museum

Your program director

Dr Johannes Pieters

Program Director

Enquire

Dr Johannes Pieters

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.

For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.

Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

Credit transfer or advanced standing

You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

Recognised prior learning

If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.

How do I get credit?

Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.

Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.

Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.

We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!

There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.

You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
Where can I get further information?

It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.

Find a course or a provider

TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.

More information on university admission

Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.

Questions about your application

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.

More FAQs

What others are saying

I chose to study at UniSA because it is one of the best universities in Australia to study Urban and Regional Planning. The variety of subjects offered is closely aligned to real life professional practice and the teaching staff are very knowledgeable and supportive.

Farug Ibnul Haqi

Master of Urban and Regional Planning