City Planning
Bachelor of City Planning (Honours)
Shape sustainable, equitable, healthy and inspiring built environments.
City planning is an exciting, varied and progressive profession which plays a pivotal role in decisions shaping the future of our cities and regions.
The UNSW Built Environment City Planning degree will teach you to develop the skills and knowledge required to play an influential role at the heart of the contemporary challenges facing our natural built environments.
As a graduate, you will have the skills to address sustainability and climate change issues, transport and infrastructure provision, facilitating urban renewal, or tackling social inequality and exclusion.
The City Planning degree gives you hands-on experience where you will take part in a 1 year Practice Year.
Key Information
The Bachelor of City Planning (Honours) is a 4-year program consisting of 28 courses, a Practice Year and 1 thesis (192 Units Of Credit/UOC).
The program includes:
- 1 Thesis
- 1 Plan Making Studio Course
- 15 Core Courses
- 3 Prescribed Elective Courses (choose from within City Planning)
- 2 Interdisciplinary Courses (BEIL)
- 2 General Education Courses (choose from other faculties)
- Practice Year includes 5 Practice Courses completed during 1 year of practical experience
Practice Year
Five Practice courses underpin and structure the work-integrated-learning Practice Year. You'll be able to apply your integrated theoretical and technical skills and knowledge to real-world practice and in turn, bring insights from your hands-on experience back into the classroom. Running throughout the year, opportunities for you to understand and assess your own direction and how it relates to both studies and professional development are maximised.
You could work across a breadth of planning and related positions: state government, local authorities, urban consultancies, development companies private practice and NGOs.
Thesis
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.
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
Professionalism, ethics and practice
Urban design and plan making
Communication, engagement and participation
For course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
The Bachelor of City Planning (Honours) 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.
The UNSW Built Environment City Planning (Honours) degree will help you develop the skills and knowledge required to play an influential role at the heart of contemporary challenges facing our natural and built environments.
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Address sustainability and climate change issues
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Address transport and infrastructure provisions
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Facilitating urban renewal
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Tackle social inequality and exclusion
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Learn the multifaceted drivers and outcomes that shape our cities and regions
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Learn broad foundational skills alongside the introduction to core disciplinary knowledge
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Benefit from our commitment to research excellence and learn first class research skills, undertake an exciting piece of self-determined research
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Experience further strengthening of the program’s relationship with Australia’s leading urban research centre, the City Futures Research Centre
Career opportunities
City planning is an exciting, varied and progressive profession which plays a pivotal role in decisions shaping the future of our cities and regions. Graduate planners are employed in government agencies, commercial consultancies and local councils in a variety of roles, such as:
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Strategic planner
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Environmental planner
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Land use planner
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Urban policy and research
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Urban consultant
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Development assessment planner
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Specialist in planning law (City Planning (Honours)/Laws degree)
- Benefit from research-informed teaching
- World class alumni connections
- UNSW Australia ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide (Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2016-2017)
- UNSW Graduates are the most hired by LinkedIn's top 30 most in-demand employers in 2015
- UNSW has invested over $1.2 billion in student facilities and accommodation
- Member of prestigious Group of Eight (Go8)
- Strong industry links and partnerships
- 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.
Entry to this degree is based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or an equivalent rank calculated from the following:
- NSW HSC and Interstate Year 12 Qualifications
- International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
- GCE A-Levels
- New Zealand NCEA Level 3
- Overseas secondary qualifications considered equivalent to Australian studies
- Post secondary or tertiary studies such as completed TAFE diplomas and other university study
- University preparation programs
Domestic students
For further information on domestic admission requirements, see UNSW Future Students degree finder.
International students
For further information on international admission requirements, see the International Undergraduate Direct Entry Table and the UNSW English Language requirements.
Pathways
If you did not meet the entry cut-off for this degree, please continue on to read about pathways into this degree.
If you have not met the direct entry requirements to this degree, make sure to consider the following:
Adjustment Factors
You may be eligible for Adjustment Factors through one of UNSW’s adjustment factor schemes.
HSC Plus
HSC Plus rewards your strong performance in relevant HSC subjects (and equivalents) with up to five points. The points are added automatically, so there's nothing you need to do. Find out more and calculate your points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders
You may be eligible for up to five points through the Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) Program, if you have demonstrated commitment and excellence in sport, music, leadership or academic achievements. To be eligible for EAPL points, you must apply!
Education Access Scheme
Life isn't always smooth sailing. Things like illness, financial hardship, language difficulties and school environment may mean you don't always get your best marks in years 11 and 12. The Educational Access Scheme is designed to assist you.
Indigenous Admission Scheme
Nura Gili provides support and information for future and current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at UNSW. If you are indigeous, you can apply through the UNSW Indigenous Admissions Scheme, which is administered by Nura Gili in conjunction with the Faculties and Schools across the university.
Internal Program Transfer
Out Internal Program Transfer (IPT) enables you to move from one program to another within UNSW, without having to apply again through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). This means, if you don’t get into the degree you want, you can start another UNSW degree, and if you meet the academic requirements, can transfer to the new degree you want the following year.
If you gain entry into the new program, you can then apply to be assessed for transfer credits for courses you’ve already completed.
Pathways through other educational institutions
Other Universities
If you did not meet the selection rank of this degree, you might want to consider studying an undergraduate degree at another university and apply to transfer the following year. We consider all university qualifications for entry to UNSW and assess credit for prior learning, even if the qualification is unrelated to what you want to study.
You must complete at least 0.75 of a full time equivalent study load in one degree. (i.e. 2 full-time semesters or 1 full-time semester and 1 part time semester).
To study at UNSW you will need to submit an application via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). UAC will calculate a new rank based from your first year of tertiary study results OR your high school ATAR (or equivalent) - whichever is better.
If you gain entry into the new program, you can then apply to be assessed for transfer credits for courses you’ve already completed.
TAFE or Private College
Completing a Certificate IV or higher from institutions like TAFE and private colleges can be a pathway to UNSW. The course must be graded and accredited by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
To study at UNSW you will need to submit an application via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
If you gain entry, you can then apply to be assessed for transfer credits for courses you completed at TAFE/College.
Mature Age Pathway
If you’re 20 years or over on 1 March in the year you start the program, and have not attempted university study, you can apply to the UNSW University Preparation Program (UPP). Once you complete the UPP you can use your results to apply for further studies at UNSW.
Domestic students
If you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, you apply online through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Find out more about applying for a bachelor degree at UNSW.
International students
If you are an international student, and you’re completing an Australian Year 12, the NZ NCEA Level 3 qualification, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia or overseas, you apply online through UAC International.
All other international students apply directly to UNSW.
Transferring within UNSW
You can apply to transfer between UNSW degrees after completing a minimum of 6 courses (36 UOC) through UNSW Internal Program Transfer.
Assessment is based on the achievement of a pre-determined average grade.
Alternatively, you can apply for transfer between UNSW degrees through UAC (domestic students) or directly with UNSW (international students) after completing a minimum of 6 courses (36 UOC). Assessment is based on your ATAR (or equivalent) and/or studies at UNSW.
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.
Transferring from outside UNSW
You can apply for transfer into a UNSW degree if you meet the entry requirements for that degree. Assessment is based on your ATAR and/or results from university studies. For your university studies to count towards your new assessment you must have completed a minimum of 6 courses (36UOC) at the other University.
Note: Certificate IV and Diplomas (from TAFE or private providers) are only considered if they are AQF accredited and completed.
Apply online through UAC (domestic students) or directly with UNSW (international students).
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 or diploma.
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:
Domestic students
Domestic students are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens.
Tuition fees for domestic students are charged by the units of credit. You can estimate your annual fees with on our Fee Estimator site.
Most domestic undergraduate students are Commonwealth Supported, which means the government makes a contribution towards the cost of your education. You also pay a contribution amount, which will vary depending on the course undertaken. If eligible, you may be able to pay or defer fees through HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.
For more information on UNSW fees and fee payment, visit: student.unsw.edu.au/fees
For more information on government assistance, visit: studyassist.gov.au
International students
The UNSW International site will provide you with information on the fees associated with applying and studying at UNSW. Depending on what course you choose, you may also have additional costs, such as textbooks, equipment and materials. You can use the Indicative Fees site to estimate the fees for each degree.
Other costs
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.
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.
Built Environment
Bachelor of City Planning (Honours)
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