Entry requirements and pathways
International students

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.

English language requirement

6.5 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 6.0.

Please refer to our English Language Requirements page for details of other accepted English Proficiency tests and additional recognised English Language Proficiency Measures, such as English as the language of instruction.

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.

Questions about the course?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

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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

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.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

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Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

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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.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

Live chat

Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

Live chat

Ask a question

Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.

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Fees and scholarships

Estimated course fees for international students

Estimated fees per year (2025): Indicative based on 2024 fees
A$35 600 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.

Scholarships: Available for this course

The International estimated fees are indicative only. The tuition fees you pay will depend on the subjects you choose to study, with each subject having its own cost. In some cases, your course fees may be higher than the indicated fees because of the subjects you choose.

International scholarships

Destination Australia – an Australian Government initiative

The Destination Australia scheme supports new international students to study in regional Australia and offers students a high-quality learning experience. For eligible applicants, these scholarships are worth up to A$15 000 per annum for up to four years.

Find out more about Destination Australia scholarships.

If you're a La Trobe graduate, you may be eligible for a 10 per cent fee reduction when you apply for a full-fee postgraduate coursework program. See our Alumni Advantage page for further details.

International students applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course to study at La Trobe University can be rewarded a bonus grant for completing their admission process early. Recipients will automatically be eligible to receive an Early Bird Acceptance Grant of 5% of the first-year tuition fees.

If you’re a high-achieving international student from either Vietnam, Cambodia or the Philippines and are considering full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study, you can apply to receive a 50 - 100 per cent tuition fees scholarship for the duration of your studies from 2024.

Do you have an excellent academic record? La Trobe High Achiever Scholarships are awarded to high-achieving international students and provide up to a 25 per cent reduction in course fees for selected courses.

Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.

Questions about fees and scholarships?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

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Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

Live chat

Ask a question

Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.

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How to apply

Apply now or ask us a question if you need more help. You can also call us on +61 3 9627 4805.

Note: Some courses start earlier than the standard semester, term or study period. Applications for these courses close one week prior. Always check your course’s start date to ensure your application is submitted in time.

Check when course applications close

CRICOS code: 107134H

Ready to apply?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

Live chat

Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

Live chat

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
CRICOS code107134H
Start dates

Indicative based on 2024 start dates

Semester 1 (March 2025), Semester 2 (July 2025)
Duration 2 years full-time
Available locations Bendigo
Scholarships View fees and scholarships
Specialisations

What is a specialisation?

A postgraduate specialisation is a chance to deepen your knowledge and confidence in your field. Choose from options across your discipline, aligning your studies and passion. With career-focused outcomes and industry connections, you'll graduate ready to make an expert impact.

Annual tuition fee

Indicative based on 2024 fees

A$35 600 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.

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.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

Live chat

Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

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