Program Overview

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Introduction to the Postgraduate Diploma in Planning

The Postgraduate Diploma in Planning is designed for individuals from non-planning backgrounds who are interested in the field of planning. This program aims to provide a strong foundation for a career in various organizations involved in planning and development.

Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma focuses on urban and regional development challenges, exploring ways to find planning solutions through a holistic, integrated, and strategic developmental approach. The program examines theoretical foundations, core values, primary methods, and key challenges facing contemporary planners. Students develop the capacity to think broadly and deeply regarding the past, present, and future of both urban and rural communities.

Approach to the Release/Timetable

• The academic year runs from February to November, divided into two semesters.
• Full-time and flexible part-time options are available, involving compulsory in-person contact time in 1 to 2 week blocks (1 to 2 blocks per semester).
• Blocks incorporate group and studio work, field trips, exhibitions, presentations, and exams, as well as interdisciplinary high-level lectures.
• Assignments and blended/hybrid sessions (enabling in-person and online participation) are conducted between these blocks throughout the two semesters.
• Online participation is facilitated through platforms such as Teams and Canvas.

Career Opportunities

The Diploma has been designed to enable learners to establish a strong foundation for embarking on careers in a wide variety of organizations involved in planning and development. It also provides a suitable route towards entering the Master of Science in Development Planning (MSc DP) degree, which confers a professional planning qualification. Planning offers an exciting career for those who wish to make a meaningful contribution to society and seek personal fulfillment in their working lives.

Career Paths

• Planners work in large cities, small towns, and rural areas across the world, for the public sector (state and local government), non-governmental organizations, and the private sector (property development companies, planning or multi-disciplinary consulting firms).
• Graduates have varied and rewarding career opportunities, with many finding employment in the public sector, involved in policy formulation, implementing and managing development programs, or specializing in spatial planning.
• The private sector also offers many opportunities, with planners working closely with developers to formulate new uses for space in the city.

Curriculum

All courses are compulsory, providing a comprehensive foundation in planning principles and practices.

Entry Requirements

• A recognized undergraduate degree in a cognate field (e.g., geography, architecture, engineering, sociology, anthropology, economics, politics, and property studies).
• A BTech in Urban and Regional Planning.
• Students should have attained an average of 65% or more in the final year of their previous degree.
• Literacy in mathematics and academic writing proficiency.

Additional Requirements for Some Applicants

• Applicants with a BTech in other fields, or a National Diploma in Urban, Rural and Regional Planning and at least six years of experience in planning practice, will need to undergo assessment as differently qualified.
• Submission of a curriculum vitae.
• A letter of motivation explaining interest in planning and development, and what the applicant hopes to achieve with their qualification.
• Reflection on a particular planning challenge, discussing the knowledge, skills, and expertise a planning professional should master to address this challenge.
• Presentation at an interview.

University Application Process

Applications are handled centrally, with complete applications referred to the relevant School for assessment. The application process involves submitting supporting documents, which can be uploaded at the time of application or via the Self Service Portal. Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.

Selection Process

• Selections for programs with limited intake but a large number of applications may only finalize the application at the end of the application cycle.
• Meeting the entry requirements does not guarantee a place; final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

The current average tuition fees can be found on the university's fees website, which also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once applied, students can access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. Information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, is available on the University's Postgraduate Funding portal.

Funding Opportunities

• The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies.
• The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: FXA03
• Faculty: Engineering and the Built Environment
• School: Architecture and Planning
• Qualification: PGDipPlanning
• Duration: 1 - 2 years
• Study Mode: Full-time; Part-time
• Closing Date: 30 November