University of Queensland
Master of Urban Development and Design
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Gain advanced knowledge in urban design through a new degree taught by leading academics and industry professionals with expertise in Infrastructure and Resources, People and Policy, or Economics and Strategy.
Course overview
Urban design is a term often borrowed by other specialists as an add-on to their core service. At UQ, they see urban design as its own expertise that includes the ability to engage with decision-makers and lead change.
This is a new degree for a new kind of designer, taught by leading academics and industry professionals. It combines project-based design studios with opportunities to develop expertise in the field of Infrastructure and Resources, People and Policy, or Economics and Strategy.
To ensure you have the right skills to enter this transdisciplinary field of design, you'll study courses from across a range of disciplines, including architecture, civil engineering, planning, policy, economics and business leadership.
Wherever you are positioned in your career, you’ll look at urban development and design from a different angle and be uniquely placed to design creative solutions to make our cities more efficient, sustainable and meaningful.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete 32 units comprising:
- 20 units for all MUrbDevDes Core Courses
- Two to six units from MUrbDevDes Research Courses
- Six to 10 units from MUrbDevDes Elective Courses
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is valued at two units.
Complete 20 units for all of the following:
- Advanced Built Environment Communication
- Advanced Architectural Design: Landscapes and Architecture (four units)
- Masterclass (four units)
- Urban Design: Urban Futures (four units)
- Contemporary Urbanism
- Urban Design: Responsive Environments (four units)
Complete two to six units from the following:
- Research Lab: Environmental Performance
- Research Lab: Computation and Digitalisation
- Research Lab: History and Heritage
- Research Lab: Culture and Place
- Research Thesis - ADPS7060 (four units)
- Research Thesis - ADPS7061 (four units)
Students undertaking ADPS7060 or ADPS7061 must have completed eight units from MUrbDevDes courses and have a cumulative GPA of 5.5 or higher.
Complete six to 10 units from the following:
- Industry Placement
- Foundations of Sustainable Development
- Economics for Commerce
- Conservation Planning and Management
- Climate Change and Environmental Management
- Global Population Issues
- Geographical Information Systems
- Fundamentals of Geographic Information and Technologies
- The New Psychology of Health
- Managing Organisational Behaviour
- Wise Leadership
- Leadership: Theory and Practice
- Global South Cities: Development Planning Theory and Practice
- Transport Planning
- Community Participation in Planning
- Dynamics of Governance
- Principles of Entrepreneurship
- Destination Management and Marketing
- Integrated Urban Water Management
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below).
- A graduate certificate, a graduate diploma, or a master's degree in a relevant discipline (see below).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), plus six months full-time equivalent relevant postgraduate work experience in an urban design environment (see below).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Please note that if a graduate certificate (or graduate diploma) from the same program suite is used as the basis of entry into the program and you do not have a degree in the relevant discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Master's program.
Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications
Relevant disciplines include architecture, architectural design, design, landscape architecture, planning, regional and town planning and urban planning.
Relevant work experience
Relevant work experience includes work in architecture, architectural design, design, landscape architecture, planning, regional and town planning and urban planning-related roles. This will need to be supported with evidence.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.
If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
This postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Urban Designer
- Community Engagement Consultant
- Landscape Architect
- Urban Strategist
- Design Advisor
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $10,680 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 16 units (normally eight courses) per year.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.