Program Overview

---

Master of Urban Design

About the course

The Master of Urban Design allows you to engage with the challenges of this ‘urban century’ and prepares you to participate in all levels of the urban design profession.

You'll gain an in-depth understanding of urban design theories and issues; techniques of urban analysis; and skills for the design and development of cities and urban places.

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Students can choose from three pathways to complete this course:

• Coursework Only (Geographic Information Systems Focus Area)
• Coursework Only (Landscape Design Focus Area)
• Coursework and Dissertation

Core - All Students - Core Units

• ARLA4506 Research Strategies in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Architecture (6)
• URBD5802 Urban Design Studio 2 (12)
• URBD5804 Urban Design Studio 1 (12)
• URBD5805 Contemporary Urbanism (6)

Option - All Students - Option Units

• URBD5803 Sustainability and Cities (6)
• URBD5807 The Forces that Shape Cities (6)
• URBD5810 Healthy by Design (6)

Custom - Dissertation Units

• URBD5821 Urban Design Dissertation (full-time) (24)
• URBD5822 Urban Design Dissertation (part-time) (24)

Geographic Information Systems (focus area)

• ENVT4408 GIS Programming (6)
• ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications (6)
• ENVT5561 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Multifunctional Landscapes (6)
• SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (6)
• URBD5806 Urban Design Capstone Studio (12)

Landscape Design (focus area)

• LACH4421 Australian Landscapes (6)
• LACH4423 Landscape and Urban Ecology (6)
• LACH5424 Design Studio—Complexity (12)
• URBD5806 Urban Design Capstone Studio (12)

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

• a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
• the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
• successfully completed prior study in a field relevant to Urban Design; or
• completed a Graduate Certificate in Urban Design or Graduate Diploma in Urban Design at UWA.

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Fees and scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$45,200.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

This course is designed to broaden the interdisciplinary scope of urban design work undertaken by architects, planners, landscape architects or professionals in related fields. A Master of Urban Design prepares you for the next step in your career in urban design.

Further Study

Further postgraduate study options include the Graduate Certificate in Architectural Conservation and Building Information Modelling. Alternatively, students may choose to pursue a higher degree by research such as the Doctor of Philosophy.

Why study Urban Design at UWA?

• Urbanisation is accelerating world-wide and skills in sustainable urban design will be increasingly sought after.
• Participate in urban design studios that allow you to creatively engage with a real site and to develop design and visualisation skills.
• Learn from the Australian Urban Design Research Centre’s highly qualified, multidisciplinary staff, who have been nominated for a stream of teaching awards.

Excellent facilities

At the School of Design, you’ll have access to well-equipped facilities including:

• Studio spaces
• Design Hub, a working space with senior student mentors available for assistance
• Digital fabrication equipment such as plastic extrusion 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC milling machines
• Multiple computer labs with 24-hour access
• Printmaking studio with etching presses and spray booths
• Multimedia production facilities
• Cullity Gallery, where you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work.

About AUDRC

Urban Design students are located at the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC), an independent, non-profit research centre and part of the School of Design. At AUDRC, innovative design strategies are tested within real-world urban conditions where the lived experience of residents is vital to the design process.