Bachelor of Urban, Rural and Environmental Planning

This degree - one of only three Victorian undergraduate planning courses accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia - gives you the opportunity to shape communities and establish peaceful, productive and environmentally sustainable places to live.

You'll explore a range of ways to improve how we live and interact, from policy planning and local politics to urban design and transport.

Articulating a vision and promoting the benefits of change are important to effective planning.

That's why we focus on communication skills like mediation, negotiation and community relations as part of this course.

Another core aspect of your studies will be travelling to communities to learn and evaluate what works and what doesn't.

Our students participate in field trips to a range of locations, from country towns in rural Victoria to metropolitan cities in Asia and Europe.

Throughout your degree, you'll take part in hands-on projects, including semester-long activities and short visits to communities.

This type of experience goes beyond a work placement or research project, giving you the chance to make a genuine difference within a community.

Just one example is the bicycle path from our Bendigo Campus to the Bendigo Hospital - a student-led project that was commended in the Outstanding Tertiary Student Project Borrie Prize, which celebrates practice, leadership and achievement in planning.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 7.

First year

Second year

Third year

Fourth year

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last two years)

Prerequisite

VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.

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.

Admission criteria

ATAR (Compulsory)

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

*N/A: Students not accepted in this category, NC: New course, N/P: Not published (includes categories with less than five students). Learn more about our processes View the 2020 ATAR distribution report for the Bachelor of Urban, Rural and Environmental Planning [195.9 KB].

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) (Current year 12 students exempt)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have either:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), VET or University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

Work Recognition (Current year 12 students exempt)

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Selection rank adjustments

Subject adjustments

VCE: A study score of 25 in any Business, Environmental Science, any Humanities or Psychology equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

Special Access Schemes

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 access schemes

Applicants with higher education study

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

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.

Admission criteria

Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Personal Statement

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work or community experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have either:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), VET or University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Special Access Schemes

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 access schemes

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

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.

Admission criteria

Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Personal Statement

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work or community experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have either:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), VET or University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Special Access Schemes

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 access schemes

Applicants with work and life experience

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

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.

Admission criteria

Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Personal Statement

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work or community experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have either:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), VET or University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Subject adjustments

VCE: A study score of 25 in any Business, Environmental Science, any Humanities or Psychology equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

Special Access Schemes

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 access schemes