Overview 2021
Location
Commonwealth Supported places available
Location
- What is an ATAR
- CRICOS: 089608K
In the professionally accredited Master of Planning, you will gain knowledge and skills in planning for diverse communities and just and sustainable futures. Your learning experience is grounded in Tasmania’s rich heritage of environmental and social justice.
If you are looking to progress to the next stage of your career, or you want to contribute to tackling local, regional and global challenges, this accredited course will take you there.
Planning at the University of Tasmania focuses on contemporary issues and real-world professional development:
Climate challenges. Climate change is the unprecedented crisis of our times and is emerging as the determining factor in how we plan for cities and regions. Our staff are recognised international leaders, with research interests that extend from climate adaptation to the interaction of climate risk with land-use economics. In studying with us, you will attain knowledge and skills in planning for just climate outcomes.
Equitable places. We promote planning for equitable cities and regions, and the island state of Tasmania provides a unique environment in this regard. Urban diversity, cultural landscapes, natural areas and unique ecosystems are in close proximity and all easily accessible. Leveraging the local diversity afforded by the medium sized city of Hobart, we offer electives in environmental planning, protected area planning, sustainability and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
In addition, as a student you will benefit from our close ties with the planning profession, including work placement opportunities and guest lecturers. Low student to teacher ratios maximise opportunities for academic interaction and support.
Course objectives
In this professionally accredited course, you will learn theoretical, technical and communication skills required by planning professionals. You will learn a range of essential planning competencies from the legal or statutory side of planning to the bigger picture or strategic side. These two sides of planning, legal and big picture, combine in a powerful way to enable planners to vision and action more sustainable futures.
There are multiple opportunities for authentic learning and contact with the wider planning community - in class, on professional placement, and in your individual research tasks.
Supported by your teachers and the Planning Institute of Australia’s Young Planners, your course will bridge from a learning environment into workplaces. This helps grow your professional network and actively shape your career path.
Learning outcomes
LO1 Synthesise complex bodies of knowledge to support equitable and sustainable planning decision-making.
LO2 Analyse complex planning problems to devise tailored and evidence-based solutions and strategies.
LO3 Execute professional communicative, procedural and technical skills to advance best planning practice.
Practical experience
This course is specifically designed to prepare you for your career as a planner. As part of everyday teaching, you will receive direct engagement with planning and allied professionals to prepare you for the daily interactions experienced by career planners.
You will undertake a semester long industry placement that provides opportunities to incorporate the knowledge gained in the course into planning practice. You will also collaborate in-class and via distance to gain a breadth of knowledge. Self-directed activities enable you to develop your personal interests.
Classroom work is often done in collaboration with professional planning partners, such as local government and the operations side of the University. This helps expand your professional network and gives you exposure to the complexities and multi-discipline nature of real-world challenges.
"The social interaction for this course is fantastic. There is plenty of time for one-on-one with students and lecturers."
Whether it is making design recommendations for your local urban area, addressing a regional problem through case analysis, or preparing a strategic plan for a community of your choice, you will develop practical skills under the guidance of experts.
Work placement
The course includes KGA709 Professional Practice. In this unit students negotiate placement in a government or private sector organisation which is approved by the University. There they work on one or more practical tasks under the supervision of a suitably qualified professional. Understanding of environmental planning and/or management including organisational structure and functions, the role and responsibilities of planners and/or managers, and basic administrative processes are developed.
Students are encouraged to make contacts within the profession and among stakeholders. Generic issues concerning workplace values, ethics and professional practice are discussed. Assessment draws on students' engagement with the scholarly literature, their documented preparations, outputs and critical reflection throughout the placement. This unit is also part of the current planning courses S6L and S7U.
Career outcomes
Something I really appreciate about this course is just how well connected these subjects are with planning professionals. You get great access to the industry, and the depth of knowledge and the complexity of issues that these people are dealing with takes the course beyond the textbook.
As a professional planner, you will be in demand by local and state governments, planning consultancies and community organisations in Australia and around the world.Planners are professionals who work closely with engineers, architects and environmental consultants, providing multi-disciplinary expertise to ensure projects are appropriately investigated and strategically developed.
This course is professionally accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia and offers outstanding career opportunities.
Graduates work as professional planners, managers and policy makers in areas such as:
- 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
Professional Recognition
The Master of Planning course is professionally accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia. Completing the course provides formal recognition of foundational and entry level skills, knowledge and theory, allowing graduates to work as planners in the field of urban and regional planning.
Course structure
The first year of the Master of Planning (full-time equivalent) comprises Schedule A units (75 credit points), in addition to a choice of elective unit(s) from Schedule B (25 credit points).
The second year of the Master of Planning (full-time equivilant) comprises Schedule C units. If a student meets the requirements for entry into our independent research stream, then the units KGA742 Research Thesis A and KGA743 Research Thesis B will replace KGA703 Professional Research Methods and KGA704 Professional Research Practice.
There is flexibility in the program, particularly for students who already have work experience and would prefer to replace the Professional Placement unit with another unit – chosen from the elective list for Year 1.
Semester 2 2021 Onwards
Year 1
Schedule A - Core
This unit provides a theoretical and conceptual foundation for advanced studies inurban and environmental planning. The unit covers the diverse functions andpurposes of planning. You will have the opportunity to think critically about thephilosophical and historical underpinnings of planning as…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KGA511 Critical Planning: Theory, Process and Applications
KGA512 Statutory Land Use Planning provides a detailed introduction to the processes and requirements of planning within its legislative context. The regulatory and procedural components of the Tasmanian planning system are covered in detail. You are encouraged to reflect on…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
The principles and practices of urban planning and design shape the physical spaces and social lives of our towns and cities. In this unit, you will learn about the historic and theoretical context of urban design and planning, including Aboriginal…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Schedule B
This unit develops an understanding of how instruments of power and organisation can be shaped through effective planning and management, to foster sustainable systems of production and consumption. We begin our journey by examining the concept and interpretations of sustainable…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KGA514 Planning and Managing for Sustainable Systems
This unit provides students with a practical understanding of key systems for protected area planning and management. Terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected areas are considered. The global context of protected areas is analysed, including issues of definition, scope and governance.…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KGA517 Protected Area Planning and Management Systems
In this unit you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to undertake planning for protected area systems. We will explore the frameworks, processes and methods used to identify areas for inclusion in national reserve systems. Students will have the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | 5 Week Session Jun | ||||
This unit provides an introduction to legal, administrative, social and scientific aspects of environmental impact assessment, environmental auditing, environmental management systems and related environmental management tools. The unit emphasises the practical aspects of environmental management for Tasmanian, Australian and international…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Geographic Information Science and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are usedin a wide range of disciplines to investigate, analyse, and communicate spatialinformation. This unit covers the underlying theory/concepts of GIS, application areas,the use of commercial GIS software, and develop for students…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KGG539 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Year 2
Schedule C
Climate change is an unprecedented crisis that is impacting the places where we live and work. We are experiencing physical impacts such as shifting weather patterns, coastal inundation and increasing risk of natural disasters. These are reconfiguring economies, politics and…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KGA705 Climate Change: Economics, Politics and Planning
Students in this unit will undertake the equivalent of an unpaid, professional placementof 80 hours duration, which gives them a work integrated learningexperience – providing intended learning outcomes that could reasonably beexpected from a placement within a government, non-government or…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit provides postgraduate students with the skills and knowledge to undertake independent and team research in environmental management, planning, protected area governance, spatial sciences and beyond. This unit’s interdisciplinary approach builds capacity for undertaking research in diverse workplaces. Upon…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit provides postgraduate students with the skills and knowledge to undertake independent and team research in environmental management, planning, protected area governance, spatial sciences and beyond. This practical skills development focuses on undertaking research to problem-solve a topical real-world…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Research and project management skills are core professional competencies. Undertaking a thesis as part of your Masters will equip you with the experience needed to undertake research independently or as part of a team, and the skills to design and…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Research and project management skills are core professional competencies. Undertaking a thesis as part of your Masters will equip you with the experience needed to undertake research independently or as part of a team, and the skills to design and…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Semester 1 2021 admitted students please refer to the 2020 K7P Handbook entry or Course Co-ordinator.
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Planning shall be qualified for entry if they have qualified for:
- admission to a bachelor degree in any discipline at the University of Tasmania or
- hold other tertiary qualification(s) deemed by the College to be equivalent for this purpose.
If you are an international student
International students must provide an IELTS (Academic) test score of at least Band 6.5 with no individual band less than 6.0. For full details refer to English Language Requirements.
Credit transfer
How to apply for recognition of prior learning
You can apply for recognition of prior learning/advanced standing as part of the standard online application process for this degree.
For more information on credit transfers, contact us on 1300 363 864 or enquire online.
Articulation from
Students completing the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning are eligible for entry into the Master of Planning.
Articulation to
Students completing the thesis pathway of this course can also apply to undertake a PhD in related fields.
Alternative entry pathways
See “Articulation from” section above.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2021 Total Course Fee (international students): $ 69,088 AUD *.
Course cost based on a rate of $33,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
Domestic Students
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all background, including those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
International students
There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries