Master of Urban and Regional Planning - OUA

Graduate with a Grad Cert OR a Master's Degree!

Depending on the units you study, you can graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Development Planning or a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. Read more below.

About this course

The Urban and Regional Planning course examines the theoretical foundations of planning and relevant legislative and bureaucratic frameworks. It also develops practical skills suitable for planning practitioners in government agencies or the private sector. The program teaches research skills and as a student of the certificate you will develop your critical and analytical capacity.

All units are based on inter-disciplinary knowledge, techniques and practices, and address environmental, social and design issues. This program is ideal for anyone looking to further their education of the planning industry.

Eligibility

You will need an undergraduate degree in any field from a recognised tertiary institution or professional work experience and training.

Study periods

Open Universities courses are offered in specific study intakes every year, known as Study Periods or Sessions. This means more flexibility as you can choose when to start studying.

If you are studying undergraduate units you can start at the beginning of any of the four Study Periods each year, each lasting 13 weeks. Most postgraduate courses are offered in three Sessions per year, with each Session lasting 14 weeks.

Exams are usually held in the week following the end of each Study Period or Session.

Shorter programs

If you choose not to study the entire Master of Urban and Regional Planning program you may be able to complete an alternative program. This is beneficial for students who need to develop a specialisation or prefer not to commit to the whole study period.

Depending on the units studied, you can exit with a Graduate Certificate in Development Planning.

Get more information

Want more information about this course? Fill out the enquiry form to the right and a study consultant will contact you with the details you need.

Finance Options

FEE-HELP is available.

Student Support

Open Universities Australia offers a range of administrative and student support options. As a student of OUA you will have access to four hours of free expert tutoring support for each unit undertaken through the tutoring service call SMARTHINKING. This on-demand service allows you to get fast, detailed feedback on your assignment drafts and have access to your tutor in real time.

Get more information

Want more information about financial and student support? Fill out the enquiry form to the right and a study consultant will contact you with the details you need.

How will this course advance my career?

As a graduate of this program, your career opportunities include (but are not limited to):

• Local government planner
• State government planner
• Private planning consultant
• Researcher or academic
• Development company
• Regional development authority
• Housing or transport agency
• Environmental authority
• Commonwealth agency

There is a chronic shortage of planners in Australia due to unprecedented growth and availability of wealth in both the public and private sectors. Local government in particular is suffering from a lack of professionally trained planners. Professional bodies including the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) are encouraging education and training courses leading to the supply of qualified planners and the Federal Government is encouraging migration of planners from other parts of the world to address the shortfall. Delays in the development industry are being blamed in part for the shortage of qualified planning staff.

The economic downturn is not likely to limit the need for employment of planners. In these times emphasis in the planning arena is much more focused on the provision of affordable housing and other welfare and social concerns.

How else will I benefit from this master's degree?

• You will graduate with a Master (or Graduate Certificate) of Urban and Regional Planning from a trusted, leading Australian university.
• Flexible study: studying by distance means you study on your terms – at a time and place that suits you.
• Take advantage of the only online distance education planning course of its type in Australia.
• Government financial support through FEE–HELP available to all Australian citizens.

Hear from an OUA student

Get more information

Want more information about the career benefits of this course? Fill out the enquiry form to the right and a study consultant will contact you with the details you need.