Professional urban planners play a critical role in shaping our urban environments – economically, environmentally, socially and culturally.
The Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) explores how towns, cities and public spaces can impact our lives. You will use both critical analysis and creativity to address real-world issues and implications of urban development.
With a BUrbPlan(Hons), you’ll be eligible to apply for membership to the New Zealand Planning Institute.
In your first year, you’ll learn about the broad influences on urban planning and the structure of cities. We’ll also introduce the policy and legislation that dictate outcomes. Through studio courses, you’ll also develop your creative and design capabilities and become familiar with land use principles. In the first of two General Education courses, you’ll supplement your urban planning studies with a subject of your choice.
From your second year and beyond, you’ll take a second General Education course and also explore sustainable urban development, Māori and Pacific planning priorities, urban design concepts, and the legal and economic aspects of urban planning. Studio courses give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned to real world cities.
Being based in Auckland, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and interact with leading industry professionals in New Zealand’s largest urban environment.
In your final year, you’ll have the freedom to explore an urban issue of interest to you within your honours dissertation (maximum 15,000 words).
If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.
You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.
If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.
Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants.
Selection into the BUrbPlan(Hons) programme will be based on the combined strength of your academic achievement and written statement.
The following questions make up the written statement. You are required to answer each question as part of your online Application for Admission:
You have approximately 500 words (2048 characters) for each question and it is advised that you prepare your answers beforehand so you have time to consider and reflect on them. You can choose to "Save and Exit" your application before you have submitted it and any information you have already provided will
be retained for ten days.
If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.
You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.
These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.
You must have completed one semester’s successful bachelor degree study from a New Zealand university or one year’s successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree or bachelor-level qualification from a New Zealand non-University tertiary institution.
Selection into the BUrbPlan(Hons) programme will be based on the combined strength of your academic achievement and written statement.
The following questions make up the written statement and you are required to answer each question as part of your online Application for Admission:
You have approximately 500 words (2048 characters) for each question and it is advised that you prepare your answers beforehand so you have time to consider and reflect on them. You can choose to "Save and Exit" your application before you have submitted it and any information you have already provided willbe retained for ten days.
You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:
If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.
GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place. Your GCE A level score is calculated on the best three academic subjects and General Studies cannot be included.
No bands less than 5.5.
No bands less than 5.5.
Selection into the BUrbPlan(Hons) programme will be based on the combined strength of your academic achievement and written statement.
The following questions make up the written statement and you are required to answer each question as part of your online Application for Admission:
You have approximately 500 words (2048 characters) for each question and it is advised that you prepare your answers beforehand so you have time to consider and reflect on them. You can choose to "Save and Exit" your application before you have submitted it and any information you have already provided willbe retained for ten days.
If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.
You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these requirements.
You must have completed one year’s successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution).
These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.
No bands less than 5.5.
Selection into the BUrbPlan(Hons) programme will be based on the combined strength of your academic achievement and written statement.
The following questions make up the written statement and you are required to answer each question as part of your online Application for Admission:
You have approximately 500 words (2048 characters) for each question and it is advised that you prepare your answers beforehand so you have time to consider and reflect on them. You can choose to "Save and Exit" your application before you have submitted it and any information you have already provided willbe retained for ten days.
You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:
Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $7.06 per point, estimated at $847.20 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.
*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.
Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.
Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.
The Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) has one intake per year.
Here are the start dates for the programme.
| Semester One | Starts – 4 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 1 July |
| Semester One | Starts – 2 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 29 June |
See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.
Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.
The three common avenues for employment in urban planning are local government, central government and private practice. BUrbPlan(Hons) graduates generally start out assisting in all aspects of planning, and later choose to specialise in one domain, such as transport, consents, environmental planning or design.
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
You can phone us directly.