Program Overview

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Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning

Overview

The Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning is designed to equip students with the skills to tackle the complex challenges of contemporary urban and regional environments. This course prepares students for an impactful career in shaping the future of cities and communities. Students will learn to master the intricacies of creating and implementing planning policies and tools while developing expertise in governance, planning administration, and urban design. The curriculum emphasizes ethical practices and the integration of Indigenous and broader community perspectives, ensuring socially just, environmentally sustainable, and viable economic futures.

Course Offerings

• Flinders City Campus:
  • Mode of delivery: In person
  • Study load: Full time & Part time
  • Student type: Domestic, Onshore international
  • Offer status: Active
• Flinders Online:
  • Mode of delivery: Online plus placement/intensive
  • Study load: Full time & Part time
  • Student type: Domestic
  • Offer status: Active Additional information: Flinders Online asynchronous topic availabilities will be rolled out as required beginning with Year 1 in 2026. These course offerings may be subject to change.

Student Guidance

Study Planner

A study planner will help students decide what topics to study and when. It is used as a guide to plan enrolment and complete the degree, alongside the program of study, ensuring all requisites are met.

Program of Study Overview

To qualify for the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below. Not all topics are necessarily available in all locations or modes of study each year.

Program of Study

Core Topics

• Level 1 - Core Topics (36 Units)
  • GEOG1001: Environment and Society (4.5 Units)
  • GEOG1002: Human Geography: Geographies of Oppression (4.5 Units)
  • GOVT1001: Exploring Fundamentals of Public Policy (4.5 Units)
  • GIST1001: Geospatial Information Systems (4.5 Units)
  • INDG1001: Race and Representation: Indigenous Identities (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN1000: Introduction to Planning: Past, Present and Futures (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN1001: Design Principles for People, Place and Planet (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN1002: Introduction to Planning Law (4.5 Units)
• Level 2 - Core Topics (31.5 Units)
  • CREA2101: Creative Cities: Ecologies of Social Transformation (4.5 Units)
  • GEOG2001: Sustainable Regional Development (4.5 Units)
  • GEOG2050: Population Dynamics (4.5 Units)
  • GIST2005: Location Intelligence (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN2000: Urban Planning Project (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN2002: Work Placement 1 (4.5 Units)
  • SOCI2025: Using Social Science Data (4.5 Units)
• Level 3 - Core Topics (31.5 Units)
  • GEOG3025: Smart, Liveable and Resilient Cities (4.5 Units)
  • GEOG3040: Environmental Impact Assessment (4.5 Units)
  • GEOG3133: Adapting to Climate Change (4.5 Units)
  • INDG3761: Caring as Country: Indigenous Environmental Management (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN3000: Work Placement 2 (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN3001: Strategic Planning (4.5 Units)
  • PLAN3002: Regional Planning Project (4.5 Units)

Option Topics

• Level 1 and 2 - Option Topics (4.5 Units)
  • Select 4.5 units of option topics from the following:
    • COMS1001: Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 Units)
    • INNO1001: Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognising Opportunities (4.5 Units)
    • BUSN2053: Building Resilience and Professional Skills (4.5 Units)
    • GEOG2030: Sustainable Development in a Global World: Challenges and Prospects (4.5 Units)
    • POLI2011: Examining Australian Public Policy (4.5 Units)
    • POLI2020: Australian Indigenous Politics (4.5 Units)
• Level 3 - Option Topics (4.5 Units)
  • Select 4.5 units of option topics from the following:
    • BUSN3065: AI, Cybersecurity and the Future of Work (4.5 Units)
    • COMS3005: Business Communication (4.5 Units)
    • SOCI3047: Shaping the Future (4.5 Units)

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

English Language Requirements

International Student English Language Requirements apply.

Aims

This course aims to:

• Prepare students for the ethical application of urban and regional planning principles and adhering to professional standards.
• Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to manage risk and promote thriving communities in the context of social, geographic, environmental, and economic complexities.
• Offer industry experiences and practical fieldwork opportunities to build skills and networks for an in-demand career as an urban and regional planner.
• Integrate the principles of sustainability, adaptation, and resilience to urban and regional planning practice.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Determine appropriate approaches to environmental, social, transport planning, and urban design.
2. Apply a body of knowledge including governance, planning administration, plan implementation, plan making, land use allocation and management, and urban design.
3. Apply ethical urban and regional planning practices to a range of contexts.
4. Synthesize analytical and technical skills to create and apply plans that address land-use and built-environment challenges in a range of contexts.
5. Integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's and Indigenous people's rights, interests, and planning approaches into urban and regional planning.
6. Work effectively in professional contexts.

Student Progression Rules

The Student Progress Policy applies to all students enrolled, or seeking to re-enrol, in a course at the University.

Professional Accreditation and Recognition

This course is designed to be accredited with the Planning Institute of Australia. Flinders University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation.

Qualification Title(s)

Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning

College

College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Unit Value

108

Course Type

Course

Course Category

Prescribed

Level of Study

Undergraduate

AQF Level

7 Bachelor degree

Standard Full-time Duration

3 Year/s

CRICOS Code

E