Gain the foundations to shape urban environments
Australia's population is predicted to reach between 28.3 and 29.3 million people by 2027. For Australian cities and towns to continue to grow, many of the key decisions required to successfully cater for change are happening right now - showing the demand for more skilled professionals in this area.1
The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design is designed for aspiring urban planning and urban design professionals who want to gain the foundational knowledge and skills to become effective planners and/or designers of sustainable urban environments.
Delivered 100% online, with part-time study, this course enables you to work full-time while developing the knowledge and the skills to make a positive difference to the cities, towns and communities of our future.
1Australian Bureau of Statistics
*Study plans and completion times might vary depending on commencement date, elective choice, leave and subject availability. **Fees are correct for 2025 and are revised annually.
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design with UTS Online
Top 100 University Globally¹
Top Performing Young University2
5 star rated for excellence across 8 categories3
5 stars for student retention4
1QS World University Rankings, 2025 2THE Young University Rankings, 2024 3QS Stars Rating 2021–2024 4Good Universities Guide, 2022
Who should study this course?
The Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design is suitable for professionals who want to gain the foundational knowledge and skills to become effective planners and/or designers of sustainable urban environments.
Students of this course might come from a range of professional backgrounds, and work in roles such as Teacher, Lawyer, Project Manager, Project Officer, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Sustainability Advisor, Field Officer, Junior Architect, Interior Designer, Environmental Scientist or Town Planner.
What you will study
UTS Online’s Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design comprises four subjects, and can be completed in just eight months, studying part-time.
The course includes the following four subjects:
- Property Development and Planning Process
- Sustainable Urban Development
- Planning & Design Theory and Decision Making
- Urban Design Fundamentals
A pathway to a Master of Urban Planning
Master of Urban Planning
All subjects from the Graduate Certificate + 11 subjects from the Master of Urban Planning. The UTS Online Master of Urban Planning is for professionals who want to develop their knowledge and practical skills to become effective planners with an integrated approach to creating sustainable urban environments.
Learn more about the Master of Urban Planning
Upcoming study periods
UTS Online courses have six intakes per year. The diagram below shows all upcoming
intakes, with the next intake highlighted in blue.
Course information
English language requirements apply to both international and domestic students. Please refer to the UTS English language requirements for further information on how to satisfy the requirements for the course/s.
The English proficiency requirement for local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper-based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet-based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
Currently, this course is only accepting domestic applicants.
Pathway 1
Applicants must have completed a UTS-recognised academic qualification or an equivalent (according to NOOSR or UK NARIC) as follows:
- Bachelor's degree, or
- Graduate Certificate, or
- Graduate Diploma, or
- Master's degree
For applicants holding a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, the qualification must be one of the following:
a)
- UTS Graduate Certificate in Property Development
- UTS Graduate Diploma in Property Development
AND
b) the qualification must be completed with a credit average or above.
Pathway 2
For applicants with no Bachelor degree but holding a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma not listed under pathway 1:
- the qualification must be in one of the following disciplines: architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and regional planning, environmental design, community development, property economics, property development, planning, geography, geographic information science (GIS), environmental science, law, economics
- the qualification must be completed with a credit average or above, and
- applicants should have at least 3 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, work experience in one of the fields listed above and
- applicants need to articulate their work experience and the reasons to study Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design
Those applicants must provide:
- a CV (maximum 3 pages) outlining their work experience, and
- a 300-word personal statement clearly articulating their work experience related to urban planning or urban design and explaining their reasons to study the Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design.
Pathway 3
Applicants who do not meet the criteria under pathway 1 or 2 may be considered on the following:
- a minimum of 3 years for senior positions or 5 years for mid-career positions full-time, or equivalent part-time, work experience in a profession closely related to urban planning or urban design; and
- must articulate their work experience and the reasons to study the Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design.
Those applicants must provide:
- a CV (maximum 3 pages) outlining their work experience, AND
- employer’s letter confirming the dates of employment, and the position held, AND
- a 300-word personal statement clearly articulating their work experience related to urban planning or urban design and explaining the reasons to study the Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
To assist with all or some of your tuition fees, FEE-HELP is available for eligible students. This government-supported loan scheme is designed to help eligible full-fee paying students pay their tuition fees.
To check your eligibility, feel free to speak with an Enrolment Advisor today.
Unsure about your situation?
One of our Student Enrolment Advisors can assist you with more information, including alternative pathways.