Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Determine appropriate approaches to environmental, social, transport planning and urban design.
2. Apply a body of knowledge including governance, planning administration, plan implementation, plan making, land use allocation and management, and urban design.
3. Apply ethical urban and regional planning practices to a range of contexts.
4. Synthesise analytical and technical skills to create and apply plans that address land-use and built-environment challenges in a range of contexts.
5. Integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's and Indigenous people's rights, interests and planning approaches into urban and regional planning.
6. Work effectively in professional contexts.

Shape the cities of tomorrow. The Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Flinders University prepares you to design, plan and manage the growth of sustainable, liveable communities across Australia and beyond.

Delivered fully online, this degree blends creativity, data and policy to help you solve complex urban challenges. You’ll explore land use, housing, transport, environmental management and community engagement, learning how planning decisions influence the way people live, move and connect.

Through hands-on projects and industry-linked experiences, you’ll graduate ready to contribute to real change - improving cities, protecting environments and supporting thriving regional communities.

Developed with input from industry experts and aligned with the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) framework, this degree offers the skills and recognition needed to pursue a professional career in urban and regional planning, government or consulting.

Recommended study pattern

You’ll study a variety of core topics and electives, and get hands-on experience with professional placements.

YEAR 1

Planning

Design Principles

Indigenous Identities

Environment and Society

Planning Law

Geospatial Information Systems

Human Geography

Public Policy.

YEAR 2

Social Transformation

Social Sciences Data

Location Intelligence

Urban Planning Project

Sustainable Regional Development

Population Dynamics

Work Placement

3 option topics.

YEAR 3

Smart, Liveable and Resilient Cities

Environmental Impact

Indigenous Environmental Management

Work Placement 2

Strategic Planning

Regional Planning Project

Climate Change

4 option topics. 

Award requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, students must complete 144 units, comprising:

• Core topics (108 units) – covering urban design, planning theory, policy, environmental management, and professional practice.
• Elective topics (36 units) – which may include sustainability, transport systems, housing, and community development.

Students must achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 or higher to qualify for the award.

Exit points

Students may choose to exit with an Associate Degree in Urban and Regional Planning after completing 72 units (two years of full-time study).

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $37,455

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

Learn more about Flinders University.

Explore Flinders courses.

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

21

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

22

Applicants must meet one of the following entry pathways:

• Year 12 entry: Successful completion of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or an equivalent qualification, with a guaranteed entry selection rank (ATAR) of 75.00.
• Higher education study: Completion of at least one semester of full-time equivalent study at an accredited higher education institution with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.5.
• VET/TAFE qualifications: Completion of a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised training provider.
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT): Achievement of a minimum overall score of 150.
• Alternative entry: Applicants without an ATAR may be considered through Flinders University’s alternative entry pathways, such as Foundation Studies or other approved access schemes.

Applicants may be eligible for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning (RPL) if they have completed previous tertiary study or relevant professional experience in planning, design, geography, or related fields. Credit is assessed individually and may reduce the duration of study.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• First language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language).
• Completed secondary schooling in Australia.
• Completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution).
• Completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution. 
• Completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program. 
• Performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements. 
• Registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia).
• Achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university.
• Completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider.

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree, accredited professional development or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.