Skip to Main Content

Contents

Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

Urban design focuses on the design of the spaces between the buildings that make up our towns and cities.

The MUrbDes will equip you with the knowledge and skills to analyse and design urban environments. Through studio-based projects, you will respond to real urban design issues and contexts, including sustainable design practices, the role of physical and social infrastructures in cities and urban investment and development.

The MUrbDes gives built environment professionals the opportunity to develop this specific skill set and knowledge. Whether you're based in Auckland or not, you have the freedom to choose between online or on-campus learning options for the lecture-based courses (URBDES 702, URBDES 705, URBPLAN 706 and URBPLAN 707). However, the design studios (URBDES 710 and URBDES 720) are on-campus only.

The MUrbDes is suitable for people with a professionally recognised qualification in architecture, urban planning, planning or landscape architecture. You may also be eligible for entry if you have relevant practical experience in one of these fields.

Programme Structure

The MUrbDes is a studio-based taught masters programme, where your project work will be informed by theory, research and the practices of built environment professionals from New Zealand and around the world. Courses cover urban history and analysis, economic development, Pacific urbanism, asset management and property development, and the ways in which cities are emerging in the developing world.

You will apply this knowledge in real-world urban contexts and also pursue research into critical and contemporary urban issues through studio projects.

Core courses: 60 points

Urban Design studio projects: 60 points

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

The MUrbDes will help you develop the skills, practical knowledge and contextual understanding to work in both public and private practice. Urban design expertise is required both in existing cities and for new developments, with knowledge of cultural sensitivities and environmental design practices sought after.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Environmental planner
  • Iwi planning officer
  • Policy analyst
  • Resource consent planner
  • Transportation planner
  • Urban planner
  • Urban designer

Student career planning services

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

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

button for easy access to information about study this qualification

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.


University of Auckland minimum programme 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.

Taught (120 point) - 4.0 Grade Point Average 

Bachelor of Urban Planning (Hons)

Master of Architecture (Professional)

Master of Urban Planning

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further Programme Entry Requirements

You must submit a portfolio, written statement and CV via the portal system SlideRoom by 8 December (for Semester One start) and 4 July (for Semester Two start - Part-time ONLY).

Portfolio content

Your portfolio will provide evidence of an appropriate level of skill in design and urban analysis. You may include examples of design and/or design related projects undertaken as part of your prior academic studies and/or as part your professional work.

Projects must be uploaded as follows:

  • A separate PDF file for each project (max 10MB/file).
  • Arranged in reverse-chronological order (most recent project as first media item). 

Projects must be described as follows:

  • Project title.
  • Course title in the case of academic work, or design office/practice name in the case of professional work.
  • Your role/responsibility in the project. For example; sole designer, contributor to a particular aspect of the project, member of a group/team involved in the whole project.
  • Provide brief details of the relevance of the project to urban design. 

Written statement

This one page document should outline your reasons for wanting to participate in the MUrbDes programme (maximum 500 words). 

CV content

This brief CV should include descriptions and examples of relevant works experience or any other activities considered relevant to your application. Details of any academic and/or professional design awards/prizes should also be included. 

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

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. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

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

Cost of living

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

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2027 Semester One01 March 2027

Other Important Dates

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

Additional Information on Key Dates

Please note: If you start this programme in Semester Two, only part-time study is possible.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must have completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) or Master of Architecture (Professional) or Master of Urban Planning from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study in a relevant subject.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has a Bachelors degree and relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind that is equivalent to one year of postgraduate study.

Notes:

(i)    This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Engineering and Design.

(ii) Whether a qualification is considered relevant will depend on the courses passed. A five-year Bachelor of Architecture, a four-year Bachelor of Planning, a Master of Planning Practice, a Master of Urban Planning, a Master of Urban Planning (Professional), or a four-year Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or Civil Engineering may be considered relevant. 

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student admitted to this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

5 The total enrolment for this degree must not exceed 160 points.

Structure and Content

6 A student admitted to this degree must pass 120 points from the courses listed in the Master of Urban Design Schedule.

7 If any of the courses listed have been previously completed, students must substitute an equivalent number of points from 700 level courses offered in the School of Architecture and Planning.

8 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

9 a A student may reassign courses from this degree to the Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Design once.

b A student may reassign courses from this degree to the Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and Urban Design once.

c All courses that can be reassigned must be reassigned, including courses not completed.

Distinction

10 This degree may be awarded with either Honours, Distinction or Merit in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

11 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

12 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2026.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • Either:
  • 120 points for all Coursework only Courses, or
  • 120 points for Research Project Option, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Coursework only Courses

Complete 120 points for ALL of the following:

Research Project Option

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 90 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • Either:
  • 30 points for all Research Project - Option 1, or
  • 30 points for all Research Project - Option 2

Compulsory Courses

Complete 90 points for ALL of the following:

Research Project - Option 1

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

Research Project - Option 2

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Overview

Degree Plan for the Master of Urban Design - Coursework only Option

Year 1
Semester One
URBDES 702
Urban Design Theory and Practice
Coursework only Courses
15 Points
URBDES 705
Emerging Paradigms
Coursework only Courses
15 Points
URBDES 710
Urban Design Studio 1 - Level 9
Coursework only Courses
30 Points
ACADINT A01
Academic Integrity Course
Academic Integrity Course
Points
Semester Two
URBPLAN 706
Māori Planning Issues - Level 9
Coursework only Courses
15 Points
URBPLAN 707
Urban Economic Development - Level 9
Coursework only Courses
15 Points
URBDES 720
Urban Design Studio 2 - Level 9
Coursework only Courses
30 Points

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

#ThemeDescription
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability
1.1
2.1
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.2
6.3
7.1
8.1
8.2
8.3

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

AskAucklandHeader

AskAuckland

AskAucklandTop

Your online help and support centre. Search our frequently asked questions.

AskAucklandBottom

Contact Form
Contact Phone

Footer

 

Footer Stripe

1.0