Graduate Certificate in Planning

Kickstart or formalise your urban planning career

Looking for a way to kick-start a future in urban planning? With a degree from another discipline or work experience in related professions, you can enrol in the UTS Graduate Certificate in Planning. This course is designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge you need to continue your academic journey and provides you with a direct pathway into the UTS Master of Planning.

Whether you're starting a new path or looking to accelerate your career in urban planning, this program will help you develop a foundational understanding of the role urban planners play in shaping our vibrant urban environments, preparing you for further learning and an exciting future where you'll create the groundbreaking places and spaces of tomorrow.

Part of the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.

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Graduate Certificate in Planning

CODE

UTS: C11270 (version 3)

CRICOS: 096458E

DURATION

0.5 years full time
1 year part time

INTAKE

Autumn Session - Block 2025
Spring Session - Block 2025
Autumn Session - Block 2026
Spring Session - Block 2026

View important dates

COURSE FEES

Indicative total tuition fee for domestic students
$30,470.00

LOCATION

City campus

What you’ll study

The UTS Graduate Certificate of Planning is a postgraduate degree designed to be completed over six months of full-time study or one year part-time. This program is designed to give you a foundational and up-to-date understanding of core competencies, approaches and perspectives within the world of urban planning in preparation for further postgraduate study.

You'll study development, laws and regulations and choose to build further insight into community engagement or design. You'll also establish in-demand soft skills, such as teamwork, cross-cultural collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.

Subjects at a glance

Core subjects

Subject Code	Subject Name
15142	Property Development Process
17700	Planning and Environmental Law
15146	Sustainable Urban Development

See all subjects and majors in the UTS Handbook

Typical course program

The outline below shows an example program for the Graduate Certificate in Planning based on a full-time study load. Please note that your exact program may differ based on your unique circumstances, such as your commencement date, subject selections and recognition of prior learning.

3

Planning foundation core subjects
1

Planning foundation options subjects

First six months

Throughout this six-month course, you'll complete core subjects to build your urban planning capabilities. You'll study property development, sustainability and design, attaining a solid working knowledge of the relevant planning and environmental laws and regulations.

First six months

Throughout this six-month course, you'll complete core subjects to build your urban planning capabilities. You'll study property development, sustainability and design, attaining a solid working knowledge of the relevant planning and environmental laws and regulations.

See typical course program in the UTS Handbook

Course highlights

In this degree we teach capabilities covering topics like development feasibility analyses, legislative considerations, and economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The program aims to shape you into an informed, competent urban planning student ready to undertake further learning in the UTS Master of Planning.

Admissions information

This course is designed for professionals with experience in planning or those with unrelated degrees seeking a career change into planning. Opt for this programme to bridge the gap to a Master of Planning, leveraging your professional background to pivot into a new field. Its multidisciplinary approach facilitates a smooth transition across careers.
Stand out with a curriculum that blends strategic and master planning with financial analysis, and addresses the critical domain of sub-regional planning. You'll acquire a robust skill set, preparing you for impactful roles in major developments and projects.
Expect a dynamic learning experience through practical assignments, case studies, and collaborative projects, ensuring you apply theory to real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach will enhance your understanding and equip you with practical expertise.
The degree enables professionals to change careers due to the multidisciplinary nature of the learning.
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian bachelor's or master’s degree, or overseas equivalent
OR
- Completed UTS Graduate Certificate or UTS Graduate Diploma in Property Development with a minimum GPA of 5/7
OR
- Completed Australian Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, or overseas equivalent, in a related field of study with a minimum GPA of 5/7
OR
- Completed Australian Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study with a minimum GPA of 5/7 AND A minimum of 1 year full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Planning
OR
- A minimum of 3 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional experience in a profession closely related to Urban Planning AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Planning
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
  - A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
  - A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
  - A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
  - An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
  - A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
Related fields of study and areas of relevant professional experience include:

Architecture and Urban Environment (Architecture, Urban Design and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Interior and Environmental Design, Architecture and Urban Environment, not elsewhere classified, e.g. building conservation, property development), Building Surveying, Building Construction Economics, Valuation, Human Geography, Geomatic Engineering (Surveying, Mapping Science, Geomatic Engineering not elsewhere classified, e.g. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Land Information Systems (LIS), Photogrammetry, Remote sensing, Spatial Information Systems (SIS)), Environmental Studies (Land, Parks and Wildlife Management, Environmental Studies not elsewhere classified, e.g. environmental impact assessment, environmental science, land conservation, soil conservation), Law, Economics and Econometrics, Real Estate

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
2025 Indicative tuition fees for domestic students

As a postgraduate student, you'll be responsible for covering your own tuition fees.

2025 Tuition Fee
- Indicative first-year tuition fee: $30,470.00
- Indicative total tuition fee: $30,470.00
You can choose to pay your fees upfront per session, or if you’re eligible, you can defer them using a government FEE-HELP loan. This loan helps you cover all or part of your tuition fees. Keep in mind that applications for this loan are specific to each course.

Additional Costs

Your tuition fees do not include:
- The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which supports student services and activities. If eligible, you can defer this fee using SA-HELP.
- Textbooks, materials, and other course-related costs.
- Any applicable payment processing fees (e.g., credit card surcharges).
Important Information
- Fees are shown in Australian Dollars (AUD).
- The indicative tuition fees above are based on full-time study (1 year = 48 credit points).
- Your actual fees depend on the year you enrol, your study load and the subjects you choose. Some subjects fall into different student contribution bands.
- You can calculate your student contribution based on the amounts listed in the student contribution table
Alumni Advantage Program

As a UTS graduate, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your course fees. Just apply for the course you're interested in, and if you're accepted, the discount will automatically be applied to your enrolment invoice. Learn more about the Alumni Advantage Program.

If you have any questions about course fees, please feel free to make an enquiry.

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Entry schemes and pathways

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Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

At UTS, we understand the dedication it takes to reach your current position – forging a path through prior study, work, and diverse learning experiences.

Jumbunna Admissions Program

If you're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Jumbunna is an alternative application process for our courses that emphasises diverse pathways to success.

UTS College

Transition smoothly to UTS with UTS College. Explore our programs now.

Changing from another postgraduate course

You can apply for our courses using your previous study. You may even be eligible for recognition of prior learning, so you won’t need to repeat subjects.

Learn more

Careers

Your future career

As a graduate, you'll have an excellent fundamental understanding of urban planning as a discipline, possessing insight into urban and property development, sustainability and regulation. Together, this will ensure you have the thorough knowledge of planning fundamentals to succeed in your further studies through the UTS Master of Planning.

From there, you'll have everything you need to launch a thrilling and rewarding career in the ever-changing world of planning, where you'll get hands-on experience to shape the urban landscapes and places of our future.

Career options

“What I was looking for was to skill up to get that job in planning, and I felt like the UTS course was good for that and I do know the master’s degree helped me get to the next job.”

Nicola Viselli

Master of Planning

“I knew some of the lecturers, and I know I was going to learn a lot because UTS has really good industry connections – they bring in a lot of really good external people to come and speak on different topics.”

Jessica Kotselas

Master of Planning

Where you’ll study

Our world-class facilities support your future-focused learning and high-impact research. They enable effective partnerships with industry and provide services to our community.

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Students using equipment in a fabrication and digital workshops. — Bring your designs to life through model making or 3D printing.

Design students collaborating and working on projects in a studio space in DAB Building 6, — Our professional studios are your dedicated spaces to work solo or collaborate with your peers.

Design students collaborating and working on projects in DAB Building 6. — Design your dream project in our workshops.

Why UTS?

Why study Design, Architecture and Building at UTS

With a Design, Architecture and Building degree from UTS, you'll build connections with industry from the moment you start your studies, and learn the skills to respond to social, cultural, environmental and economic challenges.

Study in purpose-built facilities and access the latest technologies shaping your field, from 3D printing to AI, drones and seamless knitting machines. Our commitment to hands-on practice and professional accreditation means our courses are highly respected by the industry – and our students are too.