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Entry requirements and pathways
Academic entry requirement
Prerequisites
Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent).
An approved graduate qualification (e.g: Graduate Diploma in a planning or planning related field).
Selection criteria
Applicants with an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or area and marks reflective of the capacity to work at the masters level will receive credit of up to 60 credit points.
The following subjects will be credited as advanced standing for cognate students:
- HUM5RE2 MASTERS RESEARCH THESIS/REPORT
- 30 credit points of Elective subjects
Applicants with an Australian Honours degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or related area will receive credit of up to 120 credit points, including the subjects listed above.
Applicants with over 2 years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive credit of up to 60cp credit points.
Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Pathways
There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.
Use the Pathways Tool to discover other courses with pathway options available.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
What you'll study
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Master of Planning, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.
Students may be eligible to receive a total of up to 120 cps of advanced standing.
Applicants with an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or area and marks reflective of the capacity to work at the masters level will receive credit of up to 60 credit points.
The following subjects will be credited as advanced standing for cognate students:
- HUM5RE2 MASTERS RESEARCH THESIS/REPORT
- 30 credit points of Elective subjects
Applicants with an Australian Honours degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or related area will receive credit of up to 120 credit points, including the subjects listed above.
Applicants with over 2 years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive credit of up to 60 credit points.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 75 credit points from chosen Core
- 45 credit points from chosen Electives
Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 45 credit points from chosen Core
- 60 credit points from chosen Specialisation
- 15 credit points from chosen Electives
Study options
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
| Subject name | Subject code | Year | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE | LTU0AIM | 1 | 0 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT | PLA4001 | 1 | 15 |
| GOVERNANCE, PUBLIC POLICY AND LEGISLATION | PLA4UGP | 1 | 15 |
| NEGOTIATION, MEDIATION AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION | PLA4NMC | 1 | 15 |
| PLANNING THEORY URBAN STRATEGY AND DESIGN | PLA5TSD | 1 | 15 |
| RESEARCH SKILLS | HUS5ADR | 1 | 15 |
| HERITAGE PLANNING | PLA5HP | 2 | 15 |
| MASTERS RESEARCH THESIS/REPORT | HUM5RE2 | 2 | 30 |
A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available.
A specialisation is a sequence of related subjects studied in your course. In some courses, you need to complete at least one specialisation to attain your degree.
Students to select one specialisation
| Course specialisations | Specialisation code |
|---|---|
| Community planning StudyFlex | SPE-CPL01 |
| Urban and regional planning | SPE-URP01 |
For more information on these please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
Work-Based Learning
Elective placement opportunities (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will have the opportunity to participate in a Work Based Learning (WBL) placement experience, designed to allow you to extend your formal academic learning beyond the classroom. The WBL experience will provide the opportunity to bring your learning from the university into a work environment and test out your knowledge in a professional real-world environment. Some courses include compulsory WBL subjects, however, we also offer a range of elective WBL subjects, both cross-discipline and subject-specific. La Trobe University will source placements for some subjects, while others will require you to source your own placement. If you are required to source your own placement, dedicated staff will guide and support you through the process. Elective WBL subjects generally involve an application process and Subject Coordinator approval. The location and number of hours undertaken can vary considerably depending on the activity and the discipline area.
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
View course information for Bendigo
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Master of Planning course and career outcomes
However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.
Course intended learning outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge of multi-level change processes and practical planning skills to create sustainable towns and cities
- Design specialised and innovative solutions to complex social, economic and environmental problems on different scales to transform urban, regional and rural governance and policy development
- Communicate specialist planning knowledge, skills and ideas clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders
- Establish ethical decision making capabilities and develop professional planning practices in a diverse range of settings
- Apply planning theory, spatial concepts and research techniques to independently design and execute a substantial research project
Master of Planning career opportunities
After graduation, you could work in the planning and environment departments of local governments, state governments agencies, regional bodies, research organisations and the private sector. The Master of Planning is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia, which means you could be suitable for roles such as:
- Senior strategic planner
- Develop a vision for the future. Take a lead role in long-term planning for towns, cities and land use.
- Planning compliance manager
- Create and manage development compliance policies and programs. Ensure organisations meet their governance and regulatory requirements.
- Town planner
- Lead the design of developments and growth strategies that balance liveability, access to services and environmental considerations.
- Placemaking professional
- Shape our cities. Take a lead role in planning urban developments such as public spaces, housing, transport and community service design.
- Environmental planner
- Plan for a sustainable future. Take a lead role in ensuring built environments are environmentally sustainable and protect natural resources through strategic planning.
Professional recognition
The Master of Planning is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Graduates of the Master of Planning may be eligible for professional membership with the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Professional membership may require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated course fees for domestic postgraduate students
Estimated fees per year (2025):
Indicative based on 2024 fees
$22,600 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available.
Indicative CSP price $11,406 per 120 credit points.
Commonwealth supported places (CSP):
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both current and future students. Find out what La Trobe scholarship opportunities might be available to you. View all available scholarships
Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Scholarships that may be available for this course
La Trobe Excellence Scholarships - Domestic Students
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future postgraduate coursework, Australian Citizen
Duration of Course
Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) Program
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Full time enrolment and proof of relocation will be confirmed before payment is made into the recipient's bank account.
Questions about fees and scholarships?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
How to apply
The application process can vary depending on the course.
Most postgraduate courses generally take 15 to 20 minutes.
You can apply for up to eight postgraduate courses. Please list these in order of your preference. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an offer for your highest preference. If you change your mind, you can change your preferences through the application portal.
Check when course applications close
If you’ve undertaken study in the past, you may be able to get credit toward your new postgraduate degree. This is called ‘advanced standing’.
Once you’ve enrolled in your course, you can apply for advanced standing by lodging an advanced standing application form.
Ready to apply?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Overview
Key facts
| Award | Master of Planning |
|---|---|
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2024 start dates Semester 1 (March 2025), Semester 2 (July 2025) |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Available locations | Bendigo |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Specialisations | |
| Fees |
Indicative based on 2024 fees $22,600 per 120 credit points.Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available. Indicative CSP price $11,406 per 120 credit points. Learn more about Fees and scholarships. |
About the Master of Planning
If you've always wanted to help shape the world around you – or you're already working in planning and would like to advance your career – La Trobe's accredited Master of Planning offers a unique opportunity to excel in this high-demand field. Develop advanced knowledge of complex planning processes and learn how to create sustainable towns, cities and regions.
Explore the big issues in planning. How do we ensure communities have equitable access to housing, food, transport, education and healthcare? Can we make our communities safer and more resilient? And how can we ensure communities are meaningfully consulted about changes that affect them?
In this comprehensive planning degree, you'll examine the latest social, economic and environmental trends and explore the latest research on planning best practice. You'll learn how to design innovative solutions to existing and emerging problems, and understand how to transform key policies for urban, regional and rural communities in Australia and overseas.
Pursue your area of interest and gain high-level skills when you choose a specialisation, such as community planning, and urban and regional planning. You'll graduate with your specialisation on your academic transcript, so future employers can recognise your expertise.
In this multidisciplinary degree, you'll also choose from a wide range of electives so you can explore the subjects that interest you most. Passionate about politics, advocacy, public health or transport? Explore complementary subjects from La Trobe's international relations, civil engineering and public health departments, and develop the expertise you need for your dream career.
Develop your professional portfolio, expand your networks and build your experience while you study. In this highly practical degree, you'll have the opportunity to work on live projects for local councils and government agencies, and directly shape policies that affect real-life decisions. You'll complete a research thesis as part of your studies, which means you could study a PhD once you've successfully completed your Master's.
Learn from award-winning professional planners who have extensive industry experience and up-to-date knowledge of best practice. The Master of Planning is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), making it easier for employers to recognise your advanced skills and knowledge.
If you're keen to graduate faster, it may be possible to complete your degree in just 1 to 1.5 years (equivalent full-time study) if you've completed previous study or have experience in a related field.
Graduate ready to shape a better future your community, with a degree recognised by industry.
You'll learn:
- Professional planning practice
- Develop planning skills for working in a diverse range of urban, regional and rural environments.
- Planning policy and law
- Learn how to interpret and apply planning policies and frameworks. Understand how to promote sustainability and social equity.
- Sustainable development principles
- Understand key development principles and learn how to create sustainable towns and cities.
- Spatial planning
- Learn how to create liveable, designed environments. Create innovative solutions that balance economic considerations with cultural aspirations.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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