Nile Ledbetter Master of Urban Planning

Prepare for a professional career as a planning practitioner

As we adapt to global changes that impact our cities including climate change, deepening inequality, concerns for community health and safety, and the emergence of global city-regions, planning has never been more critical.

The Master of Urban Planning is a professional degree that focuses on Australian and international policy and planning pertaining to human settlements and how we cope with these challenging population and environmental issues.

In the Master of Urban Planning, you will examine the interaction between people, the places they live and the policies that help shape economically viable, socially just, environmentally sustainable, safe and healthy communities. You will explore:

  • The frameworks and operations of different planning systems and debates
  • Different perspectives on urban problems, policies, planning and practices
  • Planning in relation to critical issues such as housing, energy, health, strategy, transport, economy and disaster recovery
  • The way in which planning decisions impact on real world situations

The program allows you to develop expertise in an area of specialisation in preparation for a focussed career. As well as core courses, electives and a research thesis, you will complete four courses in one of the following areas:

  • International development planning
  • Urban development and planning
  • Social and community planning
  • Environmental planning

You will develop critical thinking skills and the ability to respond creatively to urban planning issues.  You will examine cities in an international comparative context, gaining knowledge you can apply in your career, wherever you end up.

Many Master of Urban Planning graduates enter the public sector and work in government departments and agencies, or for local councils and regions.

The private sector and civil society, within Australia and internationally, offers an increasing range of employment opportunities, including urban planning and design, environmental and transport planning consultancies, property development companies, and housing and community advocacy. There are also opportunities in tertiary education and research.

Urban planners work with teams of related professionals such as architects, landscape architects, engineers, environmental scientists, economists, property valuers, real estate developers, lawyers and sociologists.

Graduates from the Master of Urban Planning have gone on to work at many firms in Australia and across the world including:

  • Urbis, Hong Kong
  • Tract Consultants Pty Ltd
  • Department of Planning and Community Development
  • Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd, Ho Chi Minh City
  • City of Melbourne
  • VicUrban
  • Planisphere
  • Aurecon
  • SGS Economics and Planning
  • Hangzhou Urban Planning Bureau
  • URS Australia Pty Ltd
  • Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Lagos

The Master of Urban Planning is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and undergoes a regular review process to ensure the quality and relevance of the program.

Completing an accredited degree means you enter the workforce with a stamp of quality on your CV.  In a competitive market, an accredited degree is an assurance of quality to employers and an advantage for you. For us, it means we continually strive to improve the quality of the degree in order to retain accreditation. So, you know you are getting the most up-to-date and innovative educational experience.

Program information
The Master of Urban Planning is a two-year full-time program. Click here for detailed information on the program structure
Faculty
Our Faculty of leading industry professionals and academic staff help make the University of Melbourne number one in Australia and number nine in the world for graduate employability
Entry requirements
View the admissions requirements and application process for the Master of Urban Planning