Bachelor of Architectural Design majoring in Urban Planning

Undergraduate | 2026

Mode

On Campus

Start date

February, July

Campus

Adelaide City Campus

Duration

3 year(s) full-time

Program code

BARCH

Study as

Full-time

Indicative annual fees

$50,500

Non-tuition fees

Prerequisite

None

Assumed knowledge

None

English language requirements

IELTS Overall 6.5 IELTS Reading 6 IELTS Listening 6 IELTS Speaking 6 IELTS Writing 6 Equivalent English qualifications

CRICOS code

115676M

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

Secondary education (Year 12)

Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.

Higher education study

Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) of an undergraduate certificate (AQF level 5) or higher qualification from a recognised higher education institution.

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as an additional language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at Adelaide University. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

IELTS Overall 6.5
IELTS Reading 6
IELTS Listening 6
IELTS Speaking 6
IELTS Writing 6

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by Adelaide University and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements:

Equivalent English qualifications

International admissions by country

Country	Requirement	Score
Australia	ATAR	75
Bangladesh	Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)	4.85
Canada	Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)	70%
China	Gaokao	65%
Denmark	Studentereksamen (stx: Upper Secondary School Diploma)	4 (Fair)
France	French Baccalaureate	11.5
Global	International Baccalaureate	26
Hong Kong	Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)	17
India	CBSE and CISCE	75
India	State Board Examinations	85
Indonesia	SMA III	78%
Kenya	Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)	B+
Malaysia	Matrikulasi	2.78
Malaysia	Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)	2.78
Malaysia	United Entrance Certificate (UEC)	20
Nepal	National Examinations Board (NEB)	3.01
Norway	Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole) / Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering	3.6
Phillippines	High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12	87%
Singapore	Singapore GCE Advanced Levels	8
South Korea	College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)	320
Sri Lanka	GCE A Levels	9
Sweden	Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate	14.0
Taiwan	GSAT %	65%
Thailand	Matayom 6	3.40
UK / Global	GCE Advanced Levels	8
USA / Global	Advanced Placement (AP)	8
USA / Global	America College Test (ACT)	22
USA / Global	Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)	1130
Vietnam	Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese Year 12)	8

Why Bachelor of Architectural Design?

Have you ever thought a suburb, a city, or a precinct could be better planned? Enact change through a stimulating career in urban planning.

As the global population increases and industries expand, the need for urban planners has never been more important, to ensure we can interact sustainably with the environment around us. Combining history, legal frameworks, social geography, strategy and innovation, you could be the driving force behind the next thriving city.

Overview

Put your inquisitive, analytical and strategic capabilities to good use with a career in urban planning. You could be involved in planning walkable, energy efficient suburbs, or developing sustainable communities.

The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) will equip you with the knowledge and expertise required to create equitable and liveable cities and address contemporary urban development challenges in Australia and internationally.

You’ll learn how to plan and develop projects in varying geographical contexts, and build your understanding of the economic, social and environmental factors that may affect urban planning outcomes. You’ll develop strong interpersonal and professional practice skills, helping you to work effectively with clients and stakeholders.

Key features

Develop your understanding of the relationship between the natural and built environments by studying a degree that combines architectural design with urban planning.
Study city planning, property rights and planning theory across diverse geographical contexts.
Learn digital and physical modelling, hand-drawing, and digital design skills.
Build your understanding of the institutional, political, market, and public policy environments that affect land use and urban design.
Understand the role that urban and regional planning play in improving environmental outcomes.
Continue your studies through the Master of Urban and Regional Planning.

What you'll learn

The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) allows you to explore the history and scope of urban and regional planning in a global context. You’ll build your knowledge of land use policymaking, and the role of transport and social infrastructure in the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods, cities and regions.

Along with foundational courses that will develop your understanding of contemporary architectural practice, you’ll learn about urban regeneration, economic impacts on urban planning, and how urban design influences population health.

Through this degree, you’ll study Undergraduate Core courses that are common to all architecture degrees. You’ll also study courses tailored to your major, including:

Urban and Regional Planning
Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning
Urban Design for Health and Sustainability
Economics for the Built Environment
Planning Governance, Politics and Policy
Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability.

You’ll also have the opportunity to expand your knowledge into complementary areas through cross-disciplinary electives, such as design and construction, construction management, graphic and communication design, art, and animation. You’ll learn to engage with diverse teams, develop your communication skills, and discover the valuable relationship between architectural design, urban planning and other creative and built environment disciplines.

This degree will also help you to enhance your employability by developing essential communication, negotiation, interpersonal and collaboration skills that are applicable to a career in any industry.

Master pathways

Looking to take the next step in your studies? The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) is the primary pathway to an accredited Master of Urban and Regional Planning.

What courses you'll study

Complete 144 units comprising:

90 units for Core courses, and
Either:
36 units for one Major from Major, or
36 units for all Discipline courses, and
18 units for Electives

Complete 90 units for either of the following:

Both of the following:
18 units from Common core, and
72 units for all Program core, or
90 units for all Program core [packaged with Master of Landscape Architecture]

	Course code	Units
Course name An Ethically Rich Life	Course code COREX001	Units 6
Course name Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone	Course code COREX002	Units 6
Course name Igniting Change: Ideas to Action	Course code COREX003	Units 6
Course name Proppa Ways, Future Practice	Course code COREX004	Units 6
Course name Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry	Course code COREX005	Units 6
Course name Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing	Course code COREX006	Units 6

	Course code	Units
Course name Design Studio (Principles)	Course code ARCH1000	Units 6
Course name Design Communication (Principles)	Course code ARCH1002	Units 6
Course name Design Construction (Principles)	Course code ARCH1003	Units 6
Course name Architectural Design Studio (Home)	Course code ARCH1004	Units 6
Course name Architectural Design Cultures	Course code ARCH1005	Units 6
Course name Environmental Design and the Sensory Body	Course code ARCH1006	Units 6
Course name Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)	Course code ARCH2004	Units 12
Course name Digital Design Communications	Course code ARCH2007	Units 6
Course name Architectural Design Studio (Communication)	Course code ARCH2011	Units 12
Course name Contemporary Architectural Theory	Course code ARCH2000	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Design Studio (Principles)	Course code ARCH1000	Units 6
	Course name Design Communication (Principles)	Course code ARCH1002	Units 6
	Course name Design Construction (Principles)	Course code ARCH1003	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Home)	Course code ARCH1004	Units 6
	Course name Architectural Design Cultures	Course code ARCH1005	Units 6
	Course name Environmental Design and the Sensory Body	Course code ARCH1006	Units 6
	Course name Elective	Course code -	Units 6
Year 2
Semester 1
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)	Course code ARCH2004	Units 12
	Course name Digital Design Communications	Course code ARCH2007	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Communication)	Course code ARCH2011	Units 12
	Course name Contemporary Architectural Theory	Course code ARCH2000	Units 6
Year 3
Semester 1
	Course name Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning	Course code ARCHX303	Units 6
	Course name Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy	Course code ARCHX302	Units 6
	Course name Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning	Course code ARCHX301	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Urban Design for Health and Sustainability	Course code ARCHX304	Units 6
	Course name Development Economics	Course code ARCHX300	Units 6
	Course name Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability	Course code ENVIX300	Units 6

Complete 36 units for ALL of the following:

	Course code	Units
Course name Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning	Course code ARCHX303	Units 6
Course name Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy	Course code ARCHX302	Units 6
Course name Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning	Course code ARCHX301	Units 6
Course name Urban Design for Health and Sustainability	Course code ARCHX304	Units 6
Course name Development Economics	Course code ARCHX300	Units 6
Course name Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability	Course code ENVIX300	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Design Studio (Principles)	Course code ARCH1000	Units 6
	Course name Design Communication (Principles)	Course code ARCH1002	Units 6
	Course name Design Construction (Principles)	Course code ARCH1003	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Home)	Course code ARCH1004	Units 6
	Course name Architectural Design Cultures	Course code ARCH1005	Units 6
	Course name Environmental Design and the Sensory Body	Course code ARCH1006	Units 6
	Course name Elective	Course code -	Units 6
Year 2
Semester 1
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)	Course code ARCH2004	Units 12
	Course name Digital Design Communications	Course code ARCH2007	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Communication)	Course code ARCH2011	Units 12
	Course name Contemporary Architectural Theory	Course code ARCH2000	Units 6
Year 3
Semester 1
	Course name Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning	Course code ARCHX303	Units 6
	Course name Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy	Course code ARCHX302	Units 6
	Course name Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning	Course code ARCHX301	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Urban Design for Health and Sustainability	Course code ARCHX304	Units 6
	Course name Development Economics	Course code ARCHX300	Units 6
	Course name Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability	Course code ENVIX300	Units 6

Complete 18 units comprising:

12 units from Program electives, and
6 units from University-wide electives

	Course code	Units
Course name Design Construct on Site	Course code ARCH1013	Units 6
Course name Design Construct in the Workshop	Course code ARCH1014	Units 6
Course name Study Tour	Course code ARCH3016	Units 6
Course name Urban Regeneration	Course code ARCHX305	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Design Studio (Principles)	Course code ARCH1000	Units 6
	Course name Design Communication (Principles)	Course code ARCH1002	Units 6
	Course name Design Construction (Principles)	Course code ARCH1003	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Home)	Course code ARCH1004	Units 6
	Course name Architectural Design Cultures	Course code ARCH1005	Units 6
	Course name Environmental Design and the Sensory Body	Course code ARCH1006	Units 6
	Course name Elective	Course code -	Units 6
Year 2
Semester 1
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)	Course code ARCH2004	Units 12
	Course name Digital Design Communications	Course code ARCH2007	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Architectural Design Studio (Communication)	Course code ARCH2011	Units 12
	Course name Contemporary Architectural Theory	Course code ARCH2000	Units 6
Year 3
Semester 1
	Course name Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning	Course code ARCHX303	Units 6
	Course name Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy	Course code ARCHX302	Units 6
	Course name Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning	Course code ARCHX301	Units 6
	Course name Core course	Course code -	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Urban Design for Health and Sustainability	Course code ARCHX304	Units 6
	Course name Development Economics	Course code ARCHX300	Units 6
	Course name Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability	Course code ENVIX300	Units 6

Career outcomes

You’ll graduate with the design knowledge, technical skills and creative mind required for the global workforce to practise as one of the following:

Urban designer
Para-planner
Heritage consultant
Urban and regional planner (with further study).

You might design a new living estate to meet the demands of a growing regional area. You could work with community groups to ensure sacred sites are protected while championing future growth. Perhaps you might lead the creation of the next smart city, providing invaluable data insights, planning knowledge and meaningful solutions that balance sustainability with urban development.

The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) is a pathway to the Master of Urban and Regional Planning, allowing for completion of both degrees in four years (full-time equivalent).

Industry trends

As the world’s population continues to grow and available space becomes more scarce, sustainable development, adaptive reuse of existing buildings and ecologically friendly forms of urbanism are all critical to creating liveable cities. Australia is experiencing a shortage of urban and regional planners, particularly in regional areas (Jobs and Skills Australia, April 2024 ). Your studies in urban planning will equip you to devise practical solutions to challenges like land use, ecological design, and sustainable living.

Ready to apply?

Check your eligibility

Before you begin, find the degree you wish to study and check you meet the academic entry requirements and English language requirements.

Entry requirements

Gather your relevant documents

Ensure you have all supporting documentation needed at the time of application to avoid delays.

How to apply

Complete and send your application

Apply through one of the University’s official agency partners, or via our online application system.

Apply now

Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.

How to apply

Applications for international students are open now, to begin your studies in 2026.

Apply through one of the University’s official Education Agents, or via our International Application System.

Find an Education Agent

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may be required to apply through one of our Education Agents.

Find an education agent in your country

Ask Adelaide University

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Your study experience and support

Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.

You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.

Student services

We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:

Career advice and mentoring services
Personal counselling
LGBTQIA+ support
Academic support
Fees and finance help
Security services
Accommodation services
Common rooms
Prayer rooms.

You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.

Your campus

You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.

This degree is offered at the following campus(es)

Study hours

Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:

Case studies
Essays and assignments
Examinations
Group projects
Internships and placements
Practicals
Presentations
Reports and project documentations
Research projects
Workplace and classroom contributions.

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Bachelor of Architectural Design majoring in Urban Planning