Humanities and Social Sciences

School of Social Sciences

Planning

Bachelor of Urban, Rural and Environmental Planning

This is a four year undergraduate degree located at the Bendigo campus. Bendigo is situated in the geographical heart of Victoria and is a progressive and modern regional city. The campus is located three kilometres from the centre of Bendigo and set amidst an inspiring landscape that includes 33 hectares of natural Australian bushland, adjoining the Greater Bendigo National Park, providing a peaceful, quiet and secure study environment. The Bendigo campus provides a range of on-site accommodation options to suit different needs and requirements as well as access to a range of academic, cultural and social facilities.

The course is one of only two undergraduate planning degrees in Victoria accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia and only one of three offered in regional Australia.

Planning is a rapidly growing field with workforce shortages across Australia and overseas. Graduates command high starting salaries and enjoy a wide choice of careers in the public and private sectors.

This degree offers an innovative program of theoretical and practical study that is focused on planning as it is practiced in urban and rural communities as well as in metropolitan areas. This program has been designed to produce graduates who can undertake employment in planning and related fields, such as environmental studies, policy development and working with communities on economic development, sustainability and community enhancement. There is a strong emphasis in the course on providing opportunities for students to link their work experiences into assessed assignments and to develop projects that have direct benefits to the organisations they will work in and the communities they work with.

Students are required to undertake extensive practical studies, including 90 days work experience.

Planners are required to manage, analyse and integrate an extensive range of material and provide clear strategic directions and decisions within the framework of society’s needs and requirements.

These skills require a knowledge and understanding of how society operates, the structures and processes of decision making and the capacity to conceive of and visualize outcomes. The planning process embraces managing change, achieving a net community benefit and valuing natural processes and the built form of towns and cities.

Graduates can expect to find employment in government agencies, local government and private consultants in both metropolitan and regional areas.

Graduates can also pursue further studies towards a Masters or PhD.

Duration and Mode of Study

Four years full time or part-time equivalent.

Admission Requirements

Selection criteria are based on academic merit. Students should satisfy the normal University entrance requirements, including a study score of at least 20 in Units 3 and 4 of English.

Scholarships and Prizes

There is a range of scholarships and prizes available. Direct enquiries to the Course Coordinator.