City Planning
Graduate Diploma in City Planning
Term 1, Term 3
Full-time, Part-time
No
No
City Planning
The Graduate Diploma in City Planning degree is designed for students with an undergraduate qualification in a related discipline seeking to move into a planning or planning-related field.
It is also tailored for professionals working in other sectors, especially those whose work may intersect with the planning system or requires involvement with planning agencies.

Key Information
The Graduate Diploma in City Planning is a 1-year program consisting of 8 courses (48 Units Of Credit/UOC).
The program includes:
- 7 Core Courses
- 1 Elective Course
Key Areas of Study
Urban society, theory, history
City economics and development
Environment and sustainability
City building – infrastructure and transport
Strategic spatial planning
Planning law and administration
Planning research and analysis
Urban management and development assessment
Communication, engagement and participation
Progression Pathway
The Graduate Diploma in City Planning is an articulated pathway to the Master of City Planning.
If you are considering progressing to the Master of City Planning, please review the specialist pathway options before selecting elective courses.
For course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
The Master of City Planning is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) should you continue your studies upon successful completion of the graduate certificate and graduate diploma.
As a Planning student, you can take part in the PIA Young Planners network which brings together students and new graduate planners for social and professional events.
The Graduate Diploma is your pathway to the Master of City Planning. Upon graduation, the Master of City Planning degree provides you with an excellent platform to take up planning and urban policy-related opportunities across all tiers of government (Federal, State, local), private sector consultancies, property development, and indeed the breadth of built environment professions where planning skills are required.
Pathways taken as part of the Master of City Planning may direct you towards more specialist areas, for example in housing, urban renewal, environmental management, heritage or urban design related professions. The interdisciplinary skill sets developed through the degree also enable you to move into wider policy, research, analytical, creative and community roles both in Australia and overseas.
Related Degrees
Graduate Certificate in City Planning
Master of City Planning
- UNSW ranks 25th in the world and 4th in Australia in Architecture/Built Environment (QS World Rankings 2019)
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UNSW Sydney ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide (Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2019)
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In the 2015 Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) UNSW was rated as the equal-top university nationally in Built Environment and Design. Its rating in Urban Planning research was also the joint highest in Australia.
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Accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)
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One of the world’s great cities is our classroom
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Articulation from the graduate certificate into the Graduate Diploma or Master of City Planning
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Part of the leading centre for urban planning research in Australia
To be eligible for this program you must have:
- An undergraduate degree with a credit average or above (WAM 65+ or equivalent).
- Advanced standing may also be granted for completed or partially completed postgraduate awards from UNSW or from another institution.
- Students who do not meet these requirements may be eligible to commence their postgraduate planning studies by taking the Graduate Certificate.
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of City Planning students may apply for entry into the Master’s program with full credit for courses completed in earlier programs in the sequence.
All domestic and international students can apply for postgraduate coursework online:
- Apply online (International students must pay an application fee of $125.)
Application deadlines:
- Term 1 (February) - apply by 30 November*
- Term 3 (September) - apply by 31 July
Late applications may be accepted after the closing dates subject to the availability of places.
If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you can then be assessed for transfer credit for courses (subjects) studied in your previous degree.
A wide variety of scholarships and awards are available to support you when you are starting and throughout your degree. Whether it is academic, sporting, equity, indigenous, rural, degree specific, or travel and exchange you can find a scholarship that suits you.
The school has a number of scholarships and prizes offered to students enrolled in its programs. For information, including general scholarships available to UNSW local and international students and closing dates for applications, visit the UNSW Scholarships Website.
Fees
Tuition fees for full fee paying (non-Commonwealth supported students) local students and international students are calculated on the actual number of units of credit undertaken per term.
Student Activity Fees
When you enrol each year the University asks that you make a financial contribution to help provide services, amenities and representation for all students on campus. These include sporting facilities, subsidised food outlets, campus media, entertainment, student resources and leisure programs.
UNSW Student Contribution Charges
Students enrolling in Australian Universities for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) will pay CSP (Student Contribution) fees based on the calendar year they enrol, selected courses (subjects) and if their study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year). Please refer to the UNSW Degree Finder website for indicative first year & full program CSP fees. More information on CSP fee rates can be found at the UNSW Commonwealth Supported fees website.
Fee Schedule for Full Fee Paying Students
Tuition fees for full fee paying non-Commonwealth supported students local students and international students are calculated on the actual number of units of credit undertaken per term. All fees related information is available from myUNSW website.
Books and Equipment
Don't rush out to buy anything before your first class. Academic staff will advise you as to essential equipment and textbooks. In general studio-based programs will have higher additional costs than non-studio based programs. Costs for books, stationery and equipment vary greatly, but you should allow approximately $1000 a year for these expenses. This figure excludes computing requirements.
Living Expenses
There are a number of factors which will influence your cost of living, for example, rent will vary considerably depending on the type of property and its location. Other essential costs are food, transport, entertainment, clothing and any incidental expenses related to your programs such as field trips. As a general guide, students should have at least $2000 to cover the initial establishment expenses such as rental bond and basic furniture and allow for average weekly expenses of about $350.