Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy - Urban and Regional Planning

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy - Urban and Regional Planning is a research-based degree that prepares students to acquire a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialized research skills to advance learning and/or professional practice corresponding to AQF level 10 qualifications.

Admission Criteria

• Entry requirements for Australian and New Zealand students: Applicants are required to demonstrate a capacity to carry out independent research and have adequate training and ability to pursue the proposed research course. Generally, this may be a master degree or bachelor degree with first or upper second class honours. See the Section 3.2.1 of the HDR admission policy for detailed information.
• English requirements: Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.
  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
    • Writing: 7.0
    • Speaking: 6.0
    • Reading: 7.0
    • Listening: 6.5
    • Overall band score: 6.5

Fees and Scholarships

Fee information is not available for this course at this time. Find estimated course fees.

Location

• Curtin Perth: The Curtin campuses or teaching locations where units of this course are offered.

How to Apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice.

• Curtin Perth: Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Course Structure

• Duration: This course is four years full-time or equivalent part-time study.
• CRICOS: The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) Code indicates a registered program offered to international students studying in Australia on student visas.
  • K

What You'll Learn

• Demonstrate expert understanding of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on that knowledge and their practice.
• Think critically, evaluate existing knowledge and ideas, undertake systematic investigation and reflect on theory and practice to generate original knowledge.
• Apply expert creative, technical and professional skills to the field of work or learning.
• Explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions.
• Present a complex investigation of originality or original research for external examination against international standards.
• Communicate complex research concepts, plans and outcomes to the general community, peers and the national and international research community.
• Design, implement, analyse, theorise and communicate research that makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge and/or professional practice.

Why Research at Curtin

Curtin is widely recognised for applied research firmly focused on solving real-world problems. Underpinning our research endeavours are strong partnerships with industry, business and government, which result in outcomes that greatly benefit the broader community locally, nationally and globally. Our international reputation for being a strong partner in industry-driven research ensures our graduates enjoy outstanding opportunities to become innovators in their fields.

Specialisations

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Specialisations: Available from Humanities and Science.
  • Actuarial Financial Mathematics Specialisation
  • Advertising Design Specialisation
  • Animation and Game Design Specialisation
  • Anthropology and Sociology Specialisation
  • Asian Studies Specialisation
  • Chinese Language Specialisation
  • Construction Management Specialisation
  • Creative Writing Specialisation
  • Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
  • Designing Fashion Specialisation
  • Digital Design Specialisation
  • Digital and Social Media Specialisation
  • English and Cultural Studies Specialisation
  • Environmental Planning Specialisation
  • Fashion Design Specialisation
  • Fine Art Specialisation
  • Geography Specialisation
  • Graphic Design Specialisation
  • Graphics Specialisation
  • History Specialisation
  • Illustration Specialisation
  • Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
  • Interior Architecture Specialisation
  • International Development Specialisation
  • Journalism Specialisation
  • Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
  • Photography Specialisation
  • Principles of Planning Specialisation
  • Professional Writing Specialisation
  • Screen Production Specialisation
  • Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
  • Social Justice Specialisation
  • Surveying and Spatial Sciences Specialisation
  • Theatre Arts Specialisation
  • Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
  • Web Media Specialisation
  • Web Presence Specialisation
• Bachelor of Commerce Specialisations: Available from Humanities and Science.
  • Actuarial Financial Mathematics Specialisation
  • Advertising Design Specialisation
  • Animation and Game Design Specialisation
  • Anthropology and Sociology Specialisation
  • Asian Studies Specialisation
  • Chinese Language Specialisation
  • Construction Management Specialisation
  • Corporate Screen Production Specialisation
  • Creative Writing Specialisation
  • Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
  • Designing Fashion Specialisation
  • Digital Design Specialisation
  • Digital and Social Media Specialisation
  • English and Cultural Studies Specialisation
  • Environmental Planning Specialisation
  • Fashion Design Specialisation
  • Fine Art Specialisation
  • Geography Specialisation
  • Graphic Design Specialisation
  • Graphics Specialisation
  • History Specialisation
  • Illustration Specialisation
  • Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
  • Interior Architecture Specialisation
  • International Development Specialisation
  • Journalism Specialisation
  • Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
  • Photography Specialisation
  • Principles of Planning Specialisation
  • Professional Writing Specialisation
  • Screen Production Specialisation
  • Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
  • Social Justice Specialisation
  • Surveying and Spatial Sciences Specialisation
  • Theatre Arts Specialisation
  • Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
  • Web Media Specialisation
  • Web Presence Specialisation
• Bachelor of Innovation Specialisations: Available from Humanities, Science and the Centre for Aboriginal Studies.
  • Advertising Design Specialisation
  • Animation and Game Design Specialisation
  • Asian Studies Specialisation
  • Biological Diversity Minor
  • Climate Change Science Minor
  • Construction Management Specialisation
  • Corporate Screen Production Specialisation
  • Creative Writing Specialisation
  • Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
  • Designing Fashion Specialisation
  • Digital and Social Media Specialisation
  • Environmental Management Minor
  • Environmental Planning Specialisation
  • Fashion Design Specialisation
  • Fine Art Specialisation
  • Food Science Minor
  • Forensic Studies Minor
  • Geophysics Minor
  • Geospatial Technology Minor
  • Go Global – Internship Specialisation 1
  • Go Practice – Internship Specialisation 1
  • Graphic Design Specialisation
  • Graphics Specialisation
  • Illustration Specialisation
  • Indigenous Australian Cultural Studies Specialisation
  • Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
  • Interior Architecture Specialisation
  • International Development Specialisation
  • Landscape Restoration Minor
  • Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
  • Mapping and Land Planning Minor
  • Metallurgy Minor
  • Mining Minor
  • Optimisation Minor
  • Photography Specialisation
  • Principles of Planning Specialisation
  • Screen Production Specialisation
  • Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
  • Social Justice Specialisation
  • Strategic Studies Specialisation
  • Theatre Arts Specialisation
  • Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
  • Web Media Specialisation
  • Web Presence Specialisation

Teaching Areas

• Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Business and Law
• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Science and Engineering

Campuses

• Australia
• Colombo
• Dubai
• Malaysia
• Mauritius
• Singapore

Disclaimer

The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

View courses information disclaimer.

Last Updated

• 12 May 2025

Curtin Course Code

• DR-URPLAN

CRICOS Code

• K