Plan great places for a sustainable future
Urban and regional planning plays a key role in guiding the spatial design, development, and purpose of cities, settlements, and rural and natural landscapes.
Planners look at many aspects of modern life to provide advice on the way that changes to the environment should be made or managed. They look at all social, economic, environmental, and geographic factors to help create robust and sustainable communities and countries.
When you study for the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURPlan), you’ll learn to plan a range of areas—including managing coastal environments and planning the development of housing and communities, transport networks, and urban regeneration.
Who can study for this qualification
You can study for the MURPlan if you have a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in a relevant subject with at least a B average.
Another way is if you have a lot of practical or professional experience, or a qualification in a different area. Contact the relevant head of school to talk about your options.
Students come from backgrounds as varied as:
- social sciences
- sciences
- design
- architecture
- environmental management
- law
- politics
- commerce.
Many of our students are returning to university study from work to launch a new career.
Build on your existing background and knowledge throughout your study. You’ll be able to use your new combination of skills to guide your future career in planning.
What you'll learn
You'll engage with current issues addressed by planning:
- climate change
- biodiversity and coastal management
- urban regeneration
- housing provision
- economic development.
You'll also learn about environmental and social justice.
Māori concepts of manaakitanga | caring for people, and kaitiakitanga | caring for the environment are central to the MURPlan philosophy.
How you'll study
You'll complete the 240-point MURPlan in two years of full-time study.
Part 1
Complete core courses in urban and regional planning that will give you a background in the principles and concepts, and their application. Develop practical skills through planning studios, professional and community engagement.
Examine planning theories, philosophies, and approaches. You’ll pay particular attention to the bicultural Aotearoa-New Zealand context and obligations to te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi.
Part 2
Complete a supervised research project where you’ll propose planning solutions for an established urban or regional area.
Electives
To match your interests and career goals, we offer flexible elective options from across the University, including:
- Architecture
- Building Science
- Climate Change Science and Policy
- Geography
- Design
- Environmental Science
- Environmental and Planning Law
- Government
- Law
- Māori Studies
- Political Science
- Pacific Studies.
Industry relationships
Apply your developing knowledge to the landscape and city around you. You’ll contribute to community and regional planning through our relationships with local council, central government, and professional planners.
Part-time study options
If you're a domestic student, you can study the MURPlan part time over a maximum of four years.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Get accepted into this qualification
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1.(a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MURPlan degree shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline of this University or from a comparable institution accepted for this purpose, with an average grade of at least B; and
(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience that provides equivalent preparation.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MURPlan
2. (a) Except as provided in sections 2(c) and 5, the course of study for the MURPlan shall consist of courses worth at least 240 points, as follows:
Part 1: (a) Urban Planning Design Studio / Whakamahere Tāone Taupuni Hoahoa (PLAN 411), Regional Planning Design Studio / Whakamahere ā-Rohe Taupuni Hoahoa (PLAN 412), Planning Theory, Culture and Critique / Ariā Whakamahere, Ahurea me te Arohaehae (PLAN 451), Planning Practice / Te Mahi Kaupapa Here (PLAN 455), Construction and Planning Law / Ture Waihanga me te Ture Whakamahere (PLAN 462), Professional Practice / Ngā Mahi Ngāio (SARC 461), Research Methodologies / Ngā Momo Tikanga Rangahau (SARC 491), Economics and Policy (GOVT 521); and
(b) 30 further points at 400- or 500-level from ARCI, BILD, CCSP, DEVE, DSDN, ENSC, ENVI, GEOG, GOVT, INTA, LAND, LAWS, MAOR, PASI, PHYG, SARC, TOUR courses.
Part 2: Planning Research Project / Hinonga Rangahau Whakamahere (PLAN 590).
(b) A candidate may proceed to Part 2 only with the permission of the head of school.
(c) With the head of school's permission, a candidate may replace Part 1(b) with Part 2 with Planning Research Thesis / Tuhinga Rangahau Whakamahere (PLAN 591).
(d) With the permission of the associate dean, a candidate who has completed an appropriate degree with Honours or other graduate study to an appropriate level may be exempted from up to 120 points from Part 1.
3. (a) A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least four trimesters and shall complete the degree within five years. The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.
(b) The minimum and maximum periods of enrolment for Planning Research Thesis / Tuhinga Rangahau Whakamahere (PLAN 591) are specified in the Master's Thesis Regulations.
4. (a) A candidate who passed the 120 PLAN points in Part 1(a) but does not proceed to Part 2 may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Designed Environments (PGDipDE) in Urban and Regional Planning.
(b) At the discretion of the head of school, a candidate who holds a PGDipDE in Urban and Regional Planning may credit those courses to the MURPlan provided the candidate abandons the Postgraduate Diploma upon being awarded the MURPlan.
Accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute
The Master of Urban and Regional Planning of is a professional degree accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute, an industry association that represents and supports planning in New Zealand.
When you study for the Master's, you’ll learn theoretical, practical, and professional skills that will help you step into work. With a core set of skills that you can apply across a range of different areas within the planning profession, you’ll have a career for life.
Future careers
Planning is a growing profession where graduate planners are always in demand. With a wide range of places to work and areas to focus, your career can grow and evolve as you do.
When you complete your degree, you will be qualified to work as a professional planner in a range of organisations and agencies. These include:
- city and regional councils
- consultancies
- iwi
- government organisations such as:
- economic, social development, environmental management, conservation, and community organisations.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Architecture and Planning
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This scholarship was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
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This scholarship will support a student studying an undergraduate degree in Architecture, Design Innovation, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Design Technology, Electric & Computer System Engineering, Software Engineering or Cybersecurity Engineering. The scholarship may also be awarded in conjunction with a Trimble Internship.
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Architecture and Planning
-
This scholarship was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
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To encourage postgraduate research in architecture, construction, building science, design, design technology and user experience at Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa – the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, the faculty offers scholarships to students about to begin a full-time master’s by research degree.
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Warren and Mahoney established this award in 2021 to support Māori and Pasifika students who have a passion for Architecture and Design. Warren and Mahoney wishes to support more diversity in the design profession, particularly Māori and Pasifika. In addition, this scholarship will provide opportunities for the student to build their skills and have closer ties to Warren and Mahoney...
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Industry connections
We have industry connections and partnerships with a range of national and local organisations:
- Building Research Association of New Zealand
- Designers Institute of New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute of Architects
- New Zealand Institute of Building
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
- New Zealand Registered Architects Board
- New Zealand Planning Institute
Study for a PhD
If you do well in your Master’s degree and show an aptitude for advanced research, you could apply to do a PhD—the highest-level qualification we offer.
You’ll carry out original and sustained research, supervised by our world-class academics.
As a PhD candidate, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Academic staff research areas
Marco Amati
Professor in Planning
Sepideh Afsari Bajestani
Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning
Claire Freeman
Professor of Planning
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.