Bachelor of
Urban and Regional Planning

Study Australia's first 3-year accredited* Urban and Regional Planning degree, 100% online.

_{*Accreditation is pending Planning Institute of Australia approval}

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Entry requirements

Key information

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Guaranteed Entry ATAR

75.00

No ATAR?

Speak to us about alternative entry options

STAT

150.0

GPA

4.5

TAFE/VET

Certificate IV or above

Pathway options

Foundation Studies

This course is not available to international students.

Direct Entry

Yes

Duration

3 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) Deferrable: Yes

Start Dates

March

Annual Fees

2026 : $12,485 (CSP)

Delivery mode

Online plus placement/intensive

Practical experience

Not available

Study abroad

Not available

Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

*This course is subject to approval.

Why study a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning at Flinders?

Learn how to develop and implement plans and policies for the use of urban and rural land, and advise on economic, environmental and social factors affecting land use.

Study on your own terms

Learn online at your pace, with recorded classes and no compulsory attendance, giving you the freedom to study when it suits you.

Become a planner faster

This is Australia's first three-year accredited* Urban and Regional Planning degree. This means you could enter a planning career as soon as you graduate, compared to the typical five-year pathway at other institutions.

_{*Accreditation is pending PIA approval}

Real-world design projects

You'll have the opportunity to experience work placements and real-world design projects.

A socially responsible degree

This degree is socially conscious, with a focus on sustainability and Australian First Nations perspectives.

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial challenges of university study

Flinders has scholarships for high achievers, those in need of financial aid, indigenous, rural, and STEM students.

Find out if you're eligible.

What you will study

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

Course handbook

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

Your career

Over 20,000 Australians are employed as urban and regional planners, shaping the cities and communities we live in. With growing demand for smarter, more sustainable spaces, many career opportunities are available for graduates.

Potential occupations

You could explore any of these careers.

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$150,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$93,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Potential occupations

You could explore any of these careers.

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$150,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$93,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Potential employers

State government
Local government authorities
Architecture firms
Consultancy firms

Practical experience

Although primarily delivered online, this course provides practical, hands-on experience through virtual field-trips, intensives and in-person placements (likely to occur at a location near you).

We'll ensure you have the skills required to become an accredited planner.*

_{*Accreditation is pending Planning Institute of Australia approval}

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Learn from the experts. Gain the latest insights and access mentorship from experienced leaders in the industry.

Practical learning. Experience real-world design projects.

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*.

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows.

^{*THE World University Rankings 2023}

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.

Dr Gerti Szili

Senior Lecturer

See full profile

Gerti is a Human Geographer with a background in urban and regional planning, environmental studies and anthropology. Her core research interests lie in investigating urban and regional regeneration practice and governance and understanding how communities negotiate landscapes in transition.

Dr Ben Haman

Lecturer

See full profile

Ben is an urban sociologist and lecturer, specialising in housing, urban planning, gentrification, urban resettlement, and place-based interventions. His research focuses on the social impact of urban development and housing policies, particularly on marginalised communities. Influenced by critical urban scholars like David Harvey, his work challenges policies that exacerbate inequality and advocates for more inclusive and equitable urban planning.

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

ATAR

75.00

GPA

4.50

STAT

150/200

Find out more

TAFE/VET

Certificate IV

Bridging course

Arts, Completion of Flinders Foundation Studies

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What will I study?

In this course, you'll explore a suite of core planning topics including Introduction to Planning Futures; Design Principles; Planning Law; and Urban Design Project. Other core topics include GIS; Smart, Liveable and Resilient Cities; Sustainable Regional Development; and Indigenous Environmental Management. You'll also be able to choose from a number of option topics in your second and third year of study including Australian Public Policy; Adapting to Climate Change; Sustainable Development; and AI and the Future of Work.

What makes this degree unique?

This is Australia's first 3-year accredited* undergraduate planning degree, and the only undergraduate planning degree in SA and NT. You'll experience real-world interdisciplinary projects, and this course articulates with the first integrated - and comprehensive - ePlanning platform and online system in Australia.

_{*Accreditation is pending Planning Institute of Australia approval}

Am I able to complete my placement interstate?

Yes, some opportunities may be available. However, placement availability outside of South Australia cannot be guaranteed - students should expect to complete their professional placements within South Australia.

What are the placements and how long are they?

During your second year, you will complete 120 hours on placement.
During your third year, you will complete 200 hours on placement.

This is assuming a full-time study load. If you complete the degree part-time, you will still have the opportunity to complete a total of 320 hours on placement, but the years in which you undertake these hours may be different.

What will I be able do after completing my Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning?

Compile and analyse data on economic, legal, political, cultural, demographic, sociological, physical and environmental factors affecting land use
Confer with government authorities, communities, architects, social scientists, legal professionals, and planning, development and environmental specialists
Devise and recommend use and development of land, and presenting narrative and graphic plans, programs and designs to groups and individuals
Advise governments and organisations on urban and regional planning and resource planning
Review and evaluate environmental impact reports.

What roles in urban and regional planning are in demand?

There is a critical skills shortage across the sector due to a retiring workforce and increased demand in both South Australia and the nation. For instance, the top 3 most cited skills shortages for local governments in 2022 were engineers (46%), urban and regional planners (40%) and surveyors (36%) (SGS Economics & Planning, 2022; PIA, 2023).

How our cities, towns and regions respond to climate change and ensure land uses that will not be threatened and those that will need to be adapted or abandoned will place an increased need for urban and regional planning skills. Specifically, there will be an increased demand for strategic planners, social planners and policy planners to support decision-makers and the community in implementing these changes.

Am I able to complete my placement interstate?

Yes, some opportunities may be available. However, placement availability outside of South Australia cannot be guaranteed - students should expect to complete their professional placements within South Australia.

How to apply in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Choose your course

Select your preferred course.

Step 2

Requirements

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Step 3

Key dates

Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.

Step 4

Submit application

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Apply now via Direct Entry

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted directly with Flinders.

You can apply for up to three courses in order of preference in your application. More information is available in the Application Guide.

Flinders Online Application guide

I've applied - what happens next?

Normally, we will inform you of the outcome of your application within 3-5 working days after submission.

If further information is required, we will contact you via email with details on what is needed and how to provide it.

Are HELP Loans available?

Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.

HECS-HELP is for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to cover their student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP is for eligible domestic fee-paying students to cover their full tuition fees.

Both loans are indexed to reflect changes in the cost of living but are otherwise interest free. HELP Loans must be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold, with payments increasing as your earnings rise.