Master of Urban Planning and Environment
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Eligible for advanced standing, Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$24,000 (2021 annual)
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Eligible for advanced standing, Full-time 2 years Location
Melbourne city
Overview
How you will learn
Blend studies in urban planning and built environment, and critically explore the social, economic, and political dimensions of urban futures.
Shape the future of urban environments
RMIT graduates employ brave new thinking to shape the future of urban life, and find meaningful careers in government, communities and businesses.
What is planning?
What does planning mean to you? Discover why planning is a great career choice for you and the types of projects you could get involved in.
Details
Undertake the only master’s degree in Victoria that prioritises sustainability as the foundation for urban planning.
Combining studies in urban planning and built environment with the social, economic, and political environment, this course equips you to shape efficient, practical, healthy, and sustainable cities.
Develop skills in critical analysis and draw from diverse sources to engage in professionally-relevant projects, conduct research, and promote effective policy outcomes. Benefit from practical and experiential learning, working on urban planning problems in the field, and consulting with industry.
This course is widely supported by industry; the majority of urban planners in Victoria are RMIT alumni, and employers actively seek our urban planning and environment graduates for their unique combination of environmental science and policy skills.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible for membership of the Planning Institute of Australia.
This course is offered online and face-to face. It is primarily taught through evening classes during the week, with some topics delivered through intensive full-day workshops. All core topics and some electives are also offered online in case students aren’t able to study face-to-face.
Through industry-focused coursework, you’ll learn to connect theory to practice, and develop a holistic understanding of urban environmental issues.
Depending on the topics you study, your learning will be shaped through lectures, workshops, tutorials, industry-based presentations, problem-based learning, independent research, and reflective learning techniques.
Your assessment may include report and project writing, class presentations, group work, online discussion, case studies, industry-based assessment, and exams.
In your final semester, you will complete a project-based capstone topic in which you will bring together your knowledge and skills from all your classes.
The Master of Urban Planning and Environment is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
As a graduate, you will be eligible for membership of the Urban and Regional Planning Chapter of the Planning Institute of Australia, with reciprocal membership of key international planning associations, depending on the studies you undertake within your master degree.
RMIT research
RMIT is a world leader in environment and planning management and policy research, and supports several research projects and networks that maintain links with local and global communities.
The Centre for Urban Research is a thriving interdisciplinary research centre, with an emphasis on the intersecting streams of housing and homelessness, urban and regional planning, and sustainability and climate change. Teaching staff in the Master of Urban PLanning and Environment are active researchers in this Centre.
Study tours provide you with the opportunity to explore a range of social, urban and environmental challenges facing developing countries. Through reading, classes and site visits, you’ll learn about the history, urban geography, economy and environmental challenges that the destination country is currently facing.
RMIT’s Global Experience Office (GEO) supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Specialise through electives, including:
- spatial economic analysis
- planning and environmental law
- integrated transport planning
- public policy development
- critical urban issues
- urban design
- social planning
- sustainable water management
- global cities
- ecosystems and human impact
- green cities.
You may also choose electives courses from a range of interdisciplinary studies.
Study load
- 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time (with advanced standing)
- 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (without advanced standing)
For further information about advanced standing check the program pathways.
Example timetable
To help new students organise work and study commitments, here is an example timetable for first year core courses only.
Refer to the Program Plan for the full program structure and elective options.
Semester 2 example timetable
| Course (subject) | Scheduled classes |
|---|---|
| History of Planning (ARCH 1412) | Lecture: Wednesday 5.30 – 6.30pm Tutorial: Wednesday 6.30 – 7.30pm |
| Sustainability, Governance and Social Change (ENVI 1169) | Lecture: Monday 5.30 – 6.30pm Tutorial: Monday 6.30 – 7.30pm |
| Spatial Thinking and Urban Design (ARCH1274) | Lecture: Monday 6.30 – 7.30pm Tutorial: Monday 7.30 – 8.30pm |
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC221
Career
Start a fulfilling career doing something that really matters. You’ll shape urban environments and impact lives as an urban planner, environmental manager, or policymaker, and you will drive positive changes in resource management, and strategic and social planning.
Upon graduation, you might find work in:
- strategic and statutory planning
- environmental and social planning
- state government planning and policy agencies
- infrastructure providers
- environmental and natural resource agencies
- Commonwealth environmental and infrastructure agencies
- international and local consulting firms
- local government
- conservation, environmental and community sectors
- business and industry.
This is a career-oriented course, with some students who are already working in the field. Planning practitioners often participate in the program as guest lecturers.
There will be opportunities to develop professionally through shared knowledge and networks, and you can find related employment after, or even before, graduating.
Admissions
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4.0)
OR
- undertaken significant work experience or professional practice
To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline with a minimum of 65% average or grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4.0).
You may also be considered if you have significant work experience or professional practice.
Entry requirements
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications majoring in urban and regional planning or environmental studies you will be eligible for exemption as follows:
Qualification level |
Exemptions |
Remaining program duration |
Bachelor degree |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Bachelor honours degree |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Graduate certificate |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Graduate diploma |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for exemption of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).
Masters exemptions
You may be eligible for advanced standing up to a maximum of 2 semesters (equivalent to 96 credits points). Eligibility for advanced standing is based on your previous studies and is assessed on a case by case basis.
Learn more about eligibility for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Fees
2021 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$24,000.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2021 is AU$32,640.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$66,240.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.