Overview
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
The program will introduce you to contemporary planning theories and debates while instilling professional expertise in key areas of urban design, planning and policy practice. As a highly trained graduate, you will be in high demand from the planning industry including both private sector and and public agencies including local and state government.
The Urban Design stream within the Master of Urbanism is a two-year postgraduate program will allow you to participate in the core Urban Design studio unit. It is designed to develop your leadership and expertise in urban design and urbanism with a strong emphasis on sustainability, quantification and implementation.
The Master of Urbanism, developed in consultation with Industry and the Planning Institute of Australia is a pathway to specialisation as a professional urban planner, urban designer, heritage architect or consultant. This has been developed to address the urgent need for specialists in the planning, development and architectural industries who understand the complex interrelationships between the various aspects of environmental planning.
During the program, you will benefit from mentoring by leading industry experts, who will share the latest knowledge and provide direct professional input. The core units of study will provide you with an overview of urbanism, and allow you to specialise in the areas of urban and regional planning, urban design and heritage conservation. You will develop a sophisticated understanding of the history and theory of these three areas, including their interrelationship, key concepts, analytical and technical skills.
Throughout your degree, you will be able to select from a range of electives to deepen or broaden your studies, including the option to take an international field studio placement (for domestic students).
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
Subject areas
Shared pool
Your entry requirements
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Your fee
How to apply
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Admission requirement
To be eligible for this degree, you need to have already completed a bachelor's degree in planning, architecture, design, human geography and/or related fields in the sciences or humanities, or have completed an approved graduate Diploma course.
Credit for previous study
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
Career Pathways
Over 200 students have graduated from our Urban Design program to go on to occupy positions in both the private and public sector in cities across Asia, Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. Graduates are able to bridge the concerns of architecture and planning, think strategically, appreciate scale and qualities of place and communicate urban design principles to a wide range of audiences.Domestic students
International students
