Graduate Diploma in City Planning
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 3
- Duration
- 1 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 5148
- CRICOS code 088356M
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2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $36,000*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $36,000*
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $43,500*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $44,500*
Fees
Fees
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Strong industry links
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Global top 40 ranking
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Further study pathways
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & scholarships
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in City Planning at UNSW is a three-term postgraduate program that allows you to build on previous study or professional experience to upskill or progress into a career related to urban and regional planning.
City planning is an exciting, varied and progressive profession that plays a pivotal role shaping the future of cities. Through a career in urban and regional planning, you’ll improve lives by designing cities that are sustainable, equitable, healthy and inspiring.
As part of the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture you’ll join a uniquely interdisciplinary and supportive community. You’ll work alongside students and professionals from across the built environment, just as you would in the workplace. You’ll benefit from UNSW’s strong ties to industry and world-leading research in city planning, as you explore diverse subjects including city renewal, city analytics, housing policy and healthy sustainable communities.
If you’d like to gain professional accreditation, you can progress into the Master of City Planning and gain credit points for courses studied.
Key features
You’ll explore a broad range of urban issues through theory and practice, preparing you for diverse, future-focused careers. Areas of study include:
- Urban society, theory, history
- City economics and development
- Environmental management and sustainability
- City building – infrastructure and transport
- Strategic spatial planning
- Planning law and administration
- Planning research and analysis
- Urban management and development assessment
- Communication, engagement and participation
Why study at UNSW?
- Connect with Australia’s leading urban research centre, the City Futures Research Centre
- Adobe Creative Cloud subscription included from the day you for the duration of your studies
- Study in and learn from one of the world’s great cities. Sydney will be your classroom.
- Establish networks through our strong industry links and partnerships
- Progress into the Master of City Planning to gain professional accreditation
- Study at a Built Environment School that ranks #4 in Australia and #35 in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024)
- Prioritise career success - UNSW won the Australian Financial Review's Most Employable Students Award in 2024
- Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community
- Access world-class alumni connections
- Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024)
- Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities
Entry requirements
To gain entry into the Graduate Diploma in City Planning, you’ll need a bachelor degree with a credit average or above (Weighted Average Mark 65+).
If you don’t meet these requirements, you may be eligible to study the Graduate Certificate in City Planning, then continue with advanced standing into the Diploma. This will be at the discretion of the Program Director or Academic Coordinator who assesses applications on a case-by-case basis.
Progression pathways
Once you’ve completed the Graduate Diploma in City Planning you can apply for entry into the Master's program with credit points applied for courses already completed.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
A Bachelor degree with a credit average or above (WAM 65+). Advanced standing may also be granted for completed or partially completed postgraduate awards from UNSW or from another institution.
Students who do not meet these requirements may be eligible to commence their postgraduate planning studies through taking the Graduate Certificate in City Planning.
Progression pathways
Once you’ve completed the Graduate Diploma in City Planning you can apply for entry into the Master's program with credit points applied for courses already completed.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The Graduate Diploma in City Planning is a one-year full-time program (or part-time equivalent) consisting of eight courses.
Full program structure
Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period. You can study full-time or part-time. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.
The Graduate Diploma of City Planning can be completed in one-year full-time.
Below is an example of a course structure in a standard on-year full-time study plan:
Term 1
- 2 Core City Planning courses
- 1 Sustainability/Sustainable Development focused elective
Term 2
- 2 Core City Planning courses
- 1 Planning focused elective
Term 3
- 1 Core City Planning course
- 1 Prescribed elective
For further information on course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
Related Degrees
Graduate Certificate in City Planning
Master of City Planning
Future careers
The Graduate Diploma is your pathway to the Master of City Planning, from which you can graduate as a professionally accredited city planner with the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). If you’re a professional working in another sector this program can facilitate career opportunities and progression, especially if your work intersects with planning.
Studying planning will prepare you for a career through which you can drive solutions to grand challenges like climate change and inequality.
Our graduates are in-demand and work in planning and urban policy-related roles across all tiers of government (Federal, State, Local), as well as private sector consultancies, property development, and other built environment professions where planning skills are required.
Potential careers
- Strategic Planner
- Local Government Planner
- Social and Community Planner
- Environmental Planner
- Urban Consultant
- Urban Policy Analyst
- Urban Policy Officer
- Transport Planning
- Urban Designer
- Heritage Officer
- Property Developer
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
The student community collectively inspire and encourage my individual career goals.
