Duration
Full-time: 4 years
Next start date
2018 Semester One – 26 February
2019 Semester One – 4 March
Available locations
City
Points
480
Programme type
Undergraduate

Programme overview

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.

Read the full programme regulations for the Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) in the University of Auckland Calendar.

Programme structure

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).

Sample programme structure

Year one 120 points
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 101
    Name:
    Introduction to Urban Planning
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 102
    Name:
    Urban Planning Economics
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 103
    Name:
    Introduction to Visual Literacy and Research Skills
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 110
    Name:
    Urban Planning Studio One
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 104
    Name:
    Introduction to Urban Planning Law and Governance
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 105
    Name:
    Urban Environment issues
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 111
    Name:
    Urban Planning Studio Two
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    General Education
    Type:
    General Education course
    Points:
    15 pts
Year two 120 points
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 201
    Name:
    Urban Policy Analysis
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 202
    Name:
    Urban Planning Implementation and Law
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 203
    Name:
    Urban Infrastructure
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 210
    Name:
    Urban Planning Studio Three
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 204
    Name:
    Urban Planning Social Theory and Practice
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 205
    Name:
    Transportation Planning
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 211
    Name:
    Urban Planning Studio Four
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    General Education
    Type:
    General Education course
    Points:
    15 pts
Year three 120 points
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 301
    Name:
    Urban Economic Development
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 303
    Name:
    Ecology and Resilience
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 305
    Name:
    Maori Urban Planning Issues
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 310
    Name:
    Urban Planning Studio Five
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 302
    Name:
    Heritage/Cultural Issues for Urban Planning
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 304
    Name:
    Urban Land Use Economics
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 306
    Name:
    Global Contexts and Contemporary Urban Planning Issues
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 311
    Name:
    Urban Planning Studio Six
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
Year four 120 points
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 711
    Name:
    Urban Planning Theory
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 712
    Name:
    Sustainable Urbanism
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 713
    Name:
    Shelter
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 735
    Name:
    Urban Planning Applications
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 714
    Name:
    Urban Planning Methods and Plan Making Studio
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 734
    Name:
    Urban Planning and Governance
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    URBPLAN 757
    Name:
    Dissertation
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts

2018 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Secondary school qualifications

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.

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.
Rank score, subject and credit 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.

  • NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement230

  • CIE Cambridge International Examinations280

  • IB International Baccalaureate31

Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants.

Further requirements

Selection will be based upon your academic achievement and qualitative evaluation of a written statement.

Tertiary qualifications

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.

Grade 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.

Further requirements

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 will be based upon your academic achievement and qualitative evaluation of a written statement.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

My highest qualification is from this country:

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You need to have one of the following:
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

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.

Grade, subject and other requirements

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.

Further requirements

Selection will be based upon your academic achievement and the qualitative evaluation of a written statement. 

Tertiary qualifications

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.

Grade 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.

Further requirements

You must have completed one year’s successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution).  

Selection will be based upon your academic achievement and the qualitative evaluation of a written statement. 

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

How much does a Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) cost per year?

2017 fees

Domestic students
NZ$6,431 – $9,926*
International students
NZ$32,392*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. 2017 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 $6.38 per point, estimated at $765.60 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.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key dates

The Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) has one intake per year.

 

Application closing dates

Semester One 2018
8 December 2017

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

How to apply

Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.

Where could this programme take you?

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.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Central, regional and local government bodies
  • Community groups
  • Iwi authorities
  • Non-governmental organisations
  • Private practice
  • Urban design

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

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923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513