MUrbPlan(Prof)UrbDes - Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and Urban Design

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule/Programme Rules
Graduate Profile

The Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and Urban Design gives you a sound platform for the realities of contemporary practice. In less time than it takes to complete the two degrees separately, you will gain a professionally-recognised urban planning qualification, and explore the design aspects of buildings, public spaces and networks.

This qualification is accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI).

This programme combines courses from two standalone masters programmes, the Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and the Master of Urban Design. Through taught seminars and studios, you will examine a range of case studies of best urban planning practice, as well as reviewing the influence of physical and social infrastructures, sustainable design practices and urban development.

You’ll be able to explore areas of interest and submit a 15,000 word (approximate) dissertation of personal research.

The programme is structured to facilitate connection with practicing urban planning professionals and urban designers.

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

We welcome any questions you may have about postgraduate study at the School of Architecture and Planning. Contact our postgraduate adviser:

Postgraduate Adviser

Dr Lee Beattie

Email: l.beattie@auckland.ac.nz

This programme will prepare you to practise as an urban planner at either local or central government level, as well as in private practice. You will also have the skills to contribute as an urban designer in the community and in industry.

Built environment consultant
Environmental designer/planner
Private practitioner
Resource consent planner
Urban designer
Urban planner

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

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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Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

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 and awards

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Student loans and allowances

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Cost of living

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Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	08 December 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2027 Semester One	08 December 2026	01 March 2027	28 June 2027

1 - 2

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

Applications for this degree are welcomed at any time prior to the closing date for that year’s intake.

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.

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 Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 in the University Calendar and the related Programme and Course Limitations and selection criteria.

University of Auckland Qualification

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.

5.0 - Grade Point Average

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You must hold a University of Auckland bachelors or masters degree in a related field, such as (but not limited to) environmental science, politics and international relations, economics, geography or architecture.

You will need a GPA of 5.0 in at least 60 points from your final year of study.

You cannot apply for this programme if you hold one of the following University of Auckland degrees:

Bachelor of Planning
Bachelor of Urban Planning
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours)
Master of Planning Practice
Master of Urban Planning

If you hold one of these degrees, you may be interested in the following postgraduate programmes:

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.

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

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

If you are a domestic applicant, you will generally be considered proficient in English.

6.5 - IELTS Academic score required

No bands less than - 6.0

See alternative English language requirements

For more information about the requirements and English proficiency tests, please see Postgraduate English language requirements.

Qualification from another tertiary institution

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.

5.0 - Grade Point Equivalent

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

You must hold at least an undergraduate degree from a recognised university (or similar institution) in a related field, such as (but not limited to) environmental science, politics and international relations, economics, geography or landscape architecture.

You will need a GPE of 5.0 in your final year of study.

Transfer of Credit - You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information see External transfer of credit.

If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.

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

Note: 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.

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant needs to meet the admission requirements for the Degree of Master of Urban Planning (Professional).

2 a A student admitted to this degree must pass courses with a total value of 300 points.

b The total enrolment for this degree must not exceed 340 points.

3 A student admitted to this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and Urban Design Schedule.

4 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.

5 a A student may reassign courses from this degree to the Master of Urban Planning (Professional) once.

b A student may reassign courses from this degree to the Master of Urban Design once.

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

6 This degree may be awarded with Honours in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

7 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.