UNSW Sydney
4 years
Shape the cities of tomorrow with UNSW's Bachelor of City Planning (Honours). This four-year degree combines urban planning theory with hands-on practice experience, preparing you to design sustainable, equitable communities and influence environmental policy across government, consultancies, and private organizations.
Domestic students require a minimum ATAR of 83.0 (2026 lowest selection rank). International students need an International ATAR of 78.0, IB Diploma of 29.0, A-Levels of 10.0, or SAT score of 1150. English language proficiency is required. Students completing Australian Year 12 qualifications do not need additional English proof. Alternative pathways include Gateway Admission, Educational Access Scheme, and UNSW Foundation Studies.
The program consists of 192 units of credit across four years. Level 1 core courses (42 UOC) cover Introduction to Planning, Sustainability and Environment, Urban Society and History, City and Regional Economics, Design and Communication, Development Processes, and Planning Research. Level 2 (42 UOC) includes Strategic Planning, GIS and Urban Informatics, Urban Design, Equitable Cities, Planning Law, and Urban Management. Level 3 (30 UOC) focuses on Planning Practice across ethics, institutions, consultation, policies, and professional reflection. Level 4 (36 UOC) comprises Plan Making Studio, Planning Thesis Research Design, and Dissertation. Students also complete 18 UOC of planning electives, 12 UOC of free electives, and 12 UOC of general education.
UNSW's School of Built Environment is ranked #33 globally for architecture and built environment (QS World University Rankings 2026). The university is ranked #20 worldwide and has won the AFR Most Employable University Award seven consecutive years. Students learn from academics at the forefront of urban planning research, including the City Futures Research Centre, ensuring studies are informed by current research and global best practice. Strong industry partnerships and professional networks provide career advancement opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse careers in urban planning and related fields. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the urban and regional planning industry grows by approximately 1,100 roles annually, with over 4,000 opportunities currently available in Australia. Career paths include strategic planner, local government planner, urban consultant, environmental planner, urban policy analyst, transport planner, urban designer, heritage officer, and property developer. The degree also opens doors in transportation, urban economics, environmental conservation, and social and community planning.
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