Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma in Urban Design

About the course

The Graduate Diploma in Urban Design provides a focused year of urban design history, theory, implementation strategy and studio based learning. The Graduate Diploma builds on the Graduate Certificate and offers you experience as individual designers and as a participant in interdisciplinary groups, assigned to working on the complex nature of urban design issues. The Graduate Diploma also offers you preliminary experience in conducting independent research. Graduates of this Diploma course will have a working knowledge of urban design. Upon graduating, you'll be qualified to participate in interdisciplinary professional teams involved in the production of urban design in a professional context.

Course structure

The Graduate Diploma in Urban Design is comprised of six units:

• Forces that shape Cities (URBD 5807). In this unit students examine key factors that have shaped urban form throughout history.
• Sustainability and Cities (URBD 5803). This unit defines the key sustainability challenges facing cities and outlines the suite of initiatives being implemented to manage the transition to sustainable urban development.
• Urban Design Studio 1 (URBD 5804). This unit introduces the key principles of urban design in a studio environment.
• Contemporary Urbanism (URBD 5805). This unit explores the nature and utility of theory in urban design from the Industrial Revolution to the present day.
• Research Strategies (ARLA 4506). This unit introduces students to research methods in relation to urban design.
• Urban Design Studio 2 (URBD 5802). This unit allows for students to engage in a complex urban design problem in a studio environment.

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 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

Career Pathways

Gain a comprehensive overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of urban design. This course develops your knowledge and understanding of the complex nature of urban design issues and prepares you for the next step in your career in urban design.

It is also of benefit to professionals in fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, city/town planning, transport planning, and historic buildings conservation.

Further Study

Upon successful completion of this course, you may choose to progress to the Master of Urban Design.

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.

Meet the teachers

At the Australian Urban Design Research Centre, you'll be taught by highly experienced practitioners like Dr Julian Bolleter.

Julian has worked in Sydney, Dubai, Boston and London. He delivers commissioned research for state government planning departments, is a published author, and provides expert opinions on the future of Australian cities for major media outlets such as 'The Conversation' and 'Catalyst' on the ABC.

"I love that I have the freedom to dream up visions for how cities could evolve in relation to the urban challenges we face. This work is important because Australian cities, despite their high liveability rankings, face many critical problems in terms of deepening socioeconomic stratification, vulnerabilities to climate change and the destruction of biodiversity."

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.

Articulated courses

This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:

• Graduate Certificate in Urban Design
• Master of Urban Design

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: Approximately 4-6 hours per week, which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 25310
• CRICOS code: M
• Full time/part time duration: 1 year full-time
• Degrees course is available in: Graduate Diploma in Urban Design

Course structure details

Core

• Take all units (48 points):
  • ARLA4506 Research Strategies in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Architecture (6)
  • URBD5802 Urban Design Studio 2 (12)
  • URBD5803 Sustainability and Cities (6)
  • URBD5804 Urban Design Studio 1 (12)
  • URBD5805 Contemporary Urbanism (6)
  • URBD5807 The Forces that Shape Cities (6)