Graduate Diploma in Planning

The Graduate Diploma in Planning provides a new career path for design, planning and property professionals, equipping graduates with a broad understanding of planning issues alongside the negotiation skills and creative thinking required to resolve them.

Whereas planning has often been seen as an approval process, UTS approaches the discipline as a critical task, one that connects communities with governments, institutions and developers.

Property development and planning students study a common first year, which develops a mutual understanding of how to balance private and public interests in urban development.

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Course aims

Through this course, students proactively engage with policy, environmental and demographic frameworks to understand how planning decisions shape the urban environment over the long term. This engagement is multidisciplinary, spanning planning, urban design, property, architecture/landscape architecture, economics, spatial analysis, law and urban ecology.

The degree has both a strong sustainability focus and an emphasis on the property development cycle. Students learn about land markets and feasibility studies, and acquire the technical skills to perform complex and evidence-based forecasting. They also learn how to conduct large scale structure planning and design master planned developments for communities.

Students achieve these outcomes by applying theory to real-world scenarios in real-world learning environments, including peer-led, multidisciplinary teamwork and discussions, case studies and field trips, with opportunities to travel internationally.

Typical study program

An example program is below.

Please make a selection:

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Property Development Process	15142	6
Spatial Analysis in Planning and Property	15251	6
Urban Design	15222	6
Urban Economics and Infrastructure Funding	15241	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Planning and Environmental Law	17700	6
Sustainable Urban Development	15146	6
Group Project B: Greenfields Development	15144	6
Development Negotiation and Community Engagement	15145	6

First year

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Planning and Environmental Law	17700	6
Group Project B: Greenfields Development	15144	6
Property Development Process	15142	6
Development Negotiation and Community Engagement	15145	6

Second year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Urban Design	15222	6
Urban Economics and Infrastructure Funding	15241	6
Spatial Analysis in Planning and Property	15251	6
Sustainable Urban Development	15146	6

First year

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Planning and Environmental Law	17700	6
Property Development Process	15142	6

Second year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Sustainable Urban Development	15146	6
Urban Design	15222	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Group Project B: Greenfields Development	15144	6
Development Negotiation and Community Engagement	15145	6

Third year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Urban Economics and Infrastructure Funding	15241	6
Spatial Analysis in Planning and Property	15251	6

First year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Property Development Process	15142	6
Urban Design	15222	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Planning and Environmental Law	17700	6
Sustainable Urban Development	15146	6

Second year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Urban Economics and Infrastructure Funding	15241	6
Spatial Analysis in Planning and Property	15251	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Group Project B: Greenfields Development	15144	6
Development Negotiation and Community Engagement	15145	6

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

In most cases, UTS offers domestic students entry to postgraduate courses on a fee paying basis.

Tuition fees are charged:

based on the particular course in which you are enrolled
based on the number of credit points in which you are enrolled
at the rates set for the current year and revised annually

Fees for future year(s) published in the online calculator, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

Tuition fees can be found in the online calculator.

A small number of postgraduate courses offer government subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Find out whether there are CSPs available in this course by visiting our postgraduate fees page.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

International student

Tuition fees for international postgraduate coursework students can be found using fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

For this course, the cost per credit point for 2020 is $689. The total credit points are 48.

All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

Protocol on fees and refunds for international students - contains the fee and refund conditions for international students
Tuition Protection Service - designed to ensure that students receive the tuition they have paid for

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.

Careers

The degree enables professionals to change careers due to the multidisciplinary nature of the learning. Graduates are in public sector positions, including working for state and local government, and in private consulting and property development firms. There are also careers in strategic planning on major developments and projects, master planning with financial analysis, and the increasingly important area of sub-regional planning.

Course structure

Course structure explained

The course requires the completion of eight 6-credit-point subjects, totalling 48 credit points of study.

Course completion requirements

Requirement	Credit Points
STM90502 Core subjects (Planning PG)	24
STM90503 Level 2 core subjects (Planning)	24
Total	48

Additional information

Course duration

The course duration is one year of full-time or two years of part-time study.

Full time, block

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.

Applicants must have completed one of the following:

a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or equivalent
a UTS Graduate Certificate in Property and Planning with a credit average or above
a UTS Graduate Certificate in Planning with a credit average or above
a UTS Graduate Certificate in Property Development with a credit average or above
a completed Advanced Diploma in a relevant discipline, such as design, social science, property, planning, valuation, engineering, or horticulture.

Applicants who do not satisfy the academic requirements may be considered on their ability to demonstrate equivalency through a minimum of five years' relevant work experience.

Applicants need to provide:

a CV (max. three pages) outlining their relevant work experience, and
a 300-word personal statement clearly articulating work experience relating to any of the following fields: design, social science, property, planning, valuation, engineering, horticulture, or any other field linked to the built environment.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for this course, there may be alternative pathways to help you gain admission.

Articulation with UTS courses

This course is part of an articulated program comprising the Graduate Certificate in Planning (C11270), the Graduate Diploma in Planning and the Master of Planning (C04007).

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For Design, Architecture and Building students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Design, Architecture and Building students

Download a course guide

DAB course guides

UTS: Handbook

See the Graduate Diploma in Planning in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.

Part of The Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building

Articulation

This course articulates into the Master of Planning.

Domestic students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

session dates
admission requirements for postgraduate coursework at UTS
required levels of English proficiency for the course you’re interested in.
recognition of prior learning guidelines if you’ve undertaken previous study that might be credited towards your course at UTS.

How to apply

Domestic applicants can apply via My Student Portal.

Intake

Autumn session 2020 intake for local students.

Important dates

JANUARY 2020
2	Summer session 2019 classes recommence (to 14 February)
31	Final closing date for local postgraduate coursework applications for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2020

FEBRUARY 2020
14	Summer session 2019 teaching ends (commenced 18 November 2019)
17	Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 6 March)
17 - 21	Orientation for Calendar B Autumn 2020

MARCH 2020
6	Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 ends (commenced 17 February)
9	Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for Calendar B Autumn session 2020
9	Main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 27 June)
23	Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for main calendar Autumn session 2020

APRIL 2020
7	Census date for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2020 – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
13	Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session 2020 open (close 28 June 2020)

JUNE 2020
28	Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session 2020 close (opened 13 April)
28	Final closing date for local postgraduate coursework applications for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session 2020

JULY 2020
20 - 24	Orientation for Calendar B Spring session 2020
27	Main calendar Spring session 2020 commences (ends 14 November)
27	Calendar B Spring session 2020 commences (ends 28 November)
27 - 31	Orientation for main Calendar Spring session 2020

AUGUST 2020
10	Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for Calendar B Spring session 2020
10	Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for main calendar Spring session 2020
25	Census date for main calendar Spring session, Calendar B Spring session and August session 2020 – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
TBC	Applications open for non-award and cross-institutional subjects for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2021
TBC	Applications open for postgraduate coursework programs, specified direct undergraduate courses and honours courses for 2021
TBC	Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2021 open (close 15 November 2020)

OCTOBER 2020
31	Final closing date for local postgraduate coursework applications for Summer session 2020
TBC	Enrolment opens for new postgraduate students for 2021

NOVEMBER 2020
13	Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2021 close (opened 30 August)
16	Summer session 2020 commences (ends 27 February 2021)
30	Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for Summer session 2020

Need more information?

Ask UTS

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Design, Architecture and Building students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Design, Architecture and Building students

International students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

session dates
admission requirements for postgraduate coursework at UTS
required levels of English proficiency for the course you’re interested in.
recognition of prior learning guidelines if you’ve undertaken previous study that might be credited towards your course at UTS.

You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

How to apply

International applicants apply to study via UTS International.

Apply online

Download an application form

Important dates

FEBRUARY 2020
17	Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 6 March)
17-21	Orientation for Calendar B Autumn session 2020
24	Calendar B Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 27 June)

MARCH 2020
6	Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 ends (commenced 17 February)
9	Main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 27 June)

APRIL 2020
7	Census date for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2020 – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
30	Closing date for applications for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based outside Australia for Spring session 2020

MAY 2020
31	Closing date for applications for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based in Australia for Spring session 2020

JULY 2020
20-24	Orientation for Calendar B Spring session 2020
27	Main calendar Spring session 2020 commences (ends 14 November)
27	Calendar B Spring session 2020 commences (ends 28 November)
27-31	Orientation for main calendar Spring session 2020

AUGUST 2020
25	Census date for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
31	Closing date for applications for admission to postgraduate coursework from international students based outside Australia for Summer session 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020
30	Closing date for applications for admission to postgraduate coursework from international students based in Australia for Summer session 2020

NOVEMBER 2020
16	Summer session 2020 commences (ends 27 February 2021)
16-20	Orientation for Summer session 2020
30	Closing date for application for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based outside Australia for Autumn session 2021

DECEMBER 2020
15	Closing date for application for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based in Australia for Autumn session 2021
TBC	Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATARs) released by UAC (from 9am)
TBC	Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for December Round 2 undergraduate offers
TBC	UAC December Round 2 undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)