City Planning
Master of City Planning
Play a vital role in decisions shaping the future of our cities and regions
The Master of City Planning is structured to offer you the option of either developing your general planning knowledge or – through your elective options and selected focus of your Planning Project – pursuing specialisations in City Renewal and Development, City Design, History or Theory, and Healthy, Sustainable Communities. Close synergies with other taught postgraduate courses in the Faculty provide an excellent basis for interdisciplinary working.
The program has been structured to fit in with busy lives and work commitments. You can commence the Master of City Planning in either Term 1 or Term 3 and complete the course either full-time or part-time. Where possible, classes are scheduled in the late afternoon or evenings. A number of electives are offered in intensive mode.
Working with industry, government and practice partners, this degree ensures that UNSW Built Environment remains on the front foot in shaping the next generation of city thinkers, planners and urban policymakers.
Key Information
The Master of City Planning is a 2-year program consisting of 1 research project or urban design studio and 14 courses (96 Units Of Credit/UOC).
The program allows you to choose one of four specialist pathways or a generalist (no specialisation) program.
The program includes:
- 1 Research Project (If you complete the City Design specialist pathway you can alternatively complete an Urban Design Studio).
- 9 Core Courses
- 4 Specialisation Courses (to complete the generalist program you can choose from a list of prescribed electives).
Research Project
In your final year of study, you'll devise and independently undertake a major thesis project, where you'll focus on a particular area of specialised interest and build further depth and expertise to the critical ideas and knowledge you have already gained. You'll also complete a research seminar which will provide you with a range of research-based tools needed to complete the major research project.
Urban Design Studio
If you've taken the City Design specialist pathway you have the option to replace the major research project and research seminar with an Urban Design Studio and an Urban Design Graphics course which you'll undertake with Master of Urban Development and Design students.
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
Specialist Pathways of Study
City Development and Renewal
City Design
Healthy, Sustainable Communities
History and Theory
Generalist (No stream specialisation)
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).
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.
Career opportunities
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
Graduate Diploma in City Planning
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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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Graduate Certificate entry available with progression to Graduate Diploma upon graduation
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Part of the leading centre for urban planning research in Australia
- 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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UNSW has invested over $1.2 billion in student facilities and accommodation
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Member of prestigious Group of Eight (Go8)
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Strong industry links and partnerships
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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.
To be eligible for this program you must have:
- An undergraduate degree with a credit average or above (WAM 65+ or equivalent).
Recognition for Prior Learning
If you have an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Up to 24UOC may be exempted, subject to the agreement of the Program Director.
Advanced standing may also be granted for completed or partially completed postgraduate awards from UNSW or other institutions.
What is a cognate undergraduate qualification?
Four key subject areas at undergraduate level offer a strong and appropriate background for a postgraduate planning education. These may be reflected as a degree specifically in any of these areas, but also where one (or more) of these areas are demonstrated in a substantive Major of a general Arts or Liberal Arts degree.
- Built Environment subject areas, in particular architecture, landscape architecture, construction, property development and urban design.
- Social, economic and environmental science subject areas, in particular geography, urban studies and sociology, demography, economics, social policy and politics, communication studies, health studies, international development, environmental ecology, environmental management, environmental sustainability.
- Law/Jurisprudence
- Environmental and Civil Engineering subject areas, which would also encompass including surveying and spatial science degrees.
All domestic and international students can apply for postgraduate coursework online:
- Apply online (application fee: AUD$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 faculty 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.
BIA International Professional Placement Travel grant:
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 will pay tuition fees based on the particular courses (subjects) they choose to study. UNSW Built Environment courses have been classified in band 2. Your fees will change depending on the number and type of courses you study.
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.
“The degree has an exceptional professional and academic reputation. In the Planning degree, lecturers are often highly regarded in their fields of research and bring their passion to the classroom”
Gabrielle Coleman, Student
