Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning

Upon successful completion of this program, you will:

1. Learn from Australia’s best planning practitioners in a program recognised by employers as delivering high-quality, job-ready graduates.
2. Tailor your program to match your career goals through practical and flexible elective courses.
3. Benefit from collaborative learning spaces, such as the $1.5 million Planning Studio, that allow you to integrate maps, plans and computers while working together as a group and with external bodies to address real planning challenges.

The Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning is designed for recent graduates in any field, and for established professionals who wish to extend their skills and expertise. It will also help prepare you for entry into a master's program.

For your half-year of full-time studies, you'll select from more than 20 courses, providing you with a high level of specialised knowledge together with valuable skills associated with your selected areas of study.

UQ graduates are sought after by employers for their ability to make environmentally, socially and economically sustainable decisions, and can expect to find employment in a variety of roles in both public and private sectors.

Please note that select subjects and assessments may require in-person attendance. Please review the courses and program structure on the University's website for further details.

Recommended study pattern

The Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning is a 1 year course for a part-time student. Each year consists of 2 Study Periods, also known as semesters. The recommended study pattern consists of 3 core subjects and 1 elective subject, with 2 to be completed in your first study period and 2 in your second.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning, students must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of 4 subjects.

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

Indicative total fee $5,755

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 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.

Postgrad study at UQ equips you with the mindset to master any challenge and every journey.

The University of Queensland (UQ) is ranked among the world’s top 50 universities and one of Australia’s leading teaching and research institutions.

UQ delivers for the public good through transformative education, pioneering research, and meaningful engagement with communities.

The University of Queensland has Australia’s most awarded teachers and graduates are highly sought after. UQ researchers work with government and industry – from discovery to commercialisation – to solve global challenges.

The UQ community includes 54,000+ students, 365,000+ alumni, and 450 international partners and the university is a member of Universitas 21, Group of Eight, Universities Australia, Worldwide Universities Network, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

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6

To be eligible for entry, you'll need: 

• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, other than qualifications accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia, or
• 2 years full-time equivalent, relevant work experience in urban and regional planning.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Relevant work experience

Relevant work experience includes work in urban, regional and town planning related roles. This will need to be supported with evidence. 

Evidence of relevant work experience should include a letter from your employer (and/or previous employers) clearly stating the following:

• That you work (or worked) within the specified organisation
• The nature of your work, detailing any relevant duties and responsibilities to the entry criteria above
• The length of time you were in your role/s (i.e demonstrating minimum length for entry) and whether this was full-time, part-time, or casual
• Any further bespoke conditions listed by the entry criteria

Letters will typically be expected to be presented on company letterhead and signed by a manager or HR representative. A CV or resume is not a sufficient document on its own and must be accompanied by a supporting letter as described above.

All applications based on work experience are subject to an individual assessment.

All applicants must satisfy the UQ English language proficiency requirements for admission.

If you've completed previous study, you may be eligible to receive credit for – or exemption from – certain subjects in a UQ program.

Please note that select subjects and assessments may require in-person attendance. Please review the courses and program structure on the University's website for further details.