Why study the Master of Urban Planning with UTS Online
Top 100 University Globally¹
Top Performing Young University2
5 star rated for excellence across 8 categories3
5 star rated for student retention4
1QS World University Rankings, 2025 2THE Young University Rankings, 2024 3QS Stars Rating 2021–2024 4Good Universities Guide, 2022
Learning Outcomes
Urban planning knowledge and concepts
Analyse the dynamics that drive land and property markets and articulate these to planning proposals. Interpret spatial relationships and evaluate the spatial and physical impacts of proposals.
Critical and ethical thinking capabilities
Develop an informed critical perspective on ethical issues raised by new sources to be able to demonstrate the ethical responsibilities of a professional planner.
Effective communication and stakeholder
management skills
Communicate effectively with key stakeholders from a variety of cultural, social, economic and political perspectives. Develop coherent and logically structured arguments that are backed by evidence to support your negotiation strategies.
Future-focused skills
Investigate the future of cities and regions and identify the drivers of change. Apply planning solutions based on a broad understanding of urban, regional and environmental dynamics, and analyse and develop alternatives.
Who should study this course?
The Master of Urban Planning is suitable for professionals from both planning and non-planning fields, who want to develop their knowledge and practical skills to become effective planners.
Students of this course might come from a range of professional backgrounds, and work in roles such as Project Manager, Project Officer, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Sustainability Advisor or Field Officer.
See entry requirements under course information for more eligibility information.
What you will study
UTS Online’s Master of Urban Planning comprises 15 subjects, and can be completed in as little as two and a half years, studying part-time.
Note: Students who complete eight subjects from the masters may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Urban Planning. To find out more, download a course guide or speak with an Enrolment Advisor.
- Property Development and Planning Process
- Sustainable Urban Development
- Planning & Design Theory and Decision Making
- Urban Design Fundamentals
- Urban Analytics
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
- Urban Economics and Infrastructure Funding
- Planning and Environmental Law in Australia
- Local Strategic Planning
- Structure Planning
- Spatial Analysis (GIS)
- Development Negotiation and Community Engagement
- Urban Redevelopment
- Major Project 1
- Major Project 2
Description of the Course
+
4 Number of units
or continue studying
All units from the Graduate Certificate
+
4 Diploma units
or continue studying
All subjects from the Graduate Certificate
+
8 subjects from the Master of Health Services Management
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.
Mar
2025
May
2025
Jun
2025
Aug
2025
Oct
2025
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:
- UTS Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design
- UTS Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning
- UTS Graduate Diploma in Planning
- UTS Graduate Certificate in Property Development
- UTS Graduate Diploma in Property Development
AND
- 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
AND
- 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 the Master of Urban Planning.
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 and explaining their reasons to study the Master of Urban Planning.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
Note: If the applicant does not formally meet the above selection criteria but the Faculty deems the applicant to be eligible based on evidence of prior learning and demonstrated capability, the Faculty reserves the right to make an offer to the appropriate course.
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.
Career outcomes
Studying this course may lead to roles such as:
- Urban Planner
- Town Planner
- Strategic Planner
- Sustainability Consultant
- Planning Consultant
- Senior Planner or Associate Director – Urban Planning
Gain in-demand skills
The Master of Urban Planning provides a practical approach to urban planning across an array of subject areas. You’ll learn how to apply sustainable planning practices and urban design principles, and develop the analytic skills to create integrated planning solutions. You’ll explore real-world case studies in online workshops that you can apply in a practical setting.
“I think the ability to broker solutions among many competing stakeholders (neighbours, environmental advocates, housing developers, local businesses) and invent new solutions to complex conflicts is one of the top skills planners need. They also need to be able to assemble and analyse different sorts of evidence to weigh up the outcomes of alternate decisions and support a better-informed public debate.”
- Professor Heather MacDonald, Academic in planning and Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at UTS
