Not applicable
AU$41,820 (2025 annual)
AU$49,980 (2025 annual)
Advance the role of design in shaping the future of cities through innovative approaches to urban-based practice.
Urban Design is one of the key practices confronting critical issues affecting cities, such as the impacts of climate change, population growth, shifting workplaces, and transformations in industry, technology and infrastructure.
This masters degree at RMIT provides you with a studio-based, multidisciplinary environment to engage these issues through project-based study.
You will learn to creatively integrate expertise from related urban disciplines into design proposals, promoting alternative models for future city-building. This degree is designed to nurture designers who would like to advance their career and develop innovative approaches to their practice.
Learn in design-focused and practical, hands-on studios that model industry best practice.
Learn from local and international practising architects, landscape architects and urban designers.
Build a global network through our travel studios in Vietnam and Barcelona and extensive network of international collaborators.
You will focus intensively on the practice of design itself, developing advanced, specialised techniques for creative and collaborative work. Projects are curated around key sites of urban change locally and globally and engage with the professional and community networks invested in their future.
You will learn to creatively integrate expertise from related urban disciplines into design proposals, promoting alternative models for future city-building. This program is designed to nurture designers who would like to advance their career and develop innovative approaches to their practice.
This program emerges from a legacy of urban-based design research, teaching and practice within RMIT's School of Architecture and Design.
The program is closely connected to RMIT's world-renowned programs in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Interior and Industrial Design. The program is also integrated with postgraduate coursework in the Schools of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM) and Urban Planning, offering a multidisciplinary laboratory for urban design research.
Based in Melbourne, we use the Australasian region as our primary territory of study. A series of international workshops at our campuses in Vietnam and Barcelona offer a global perspective and study experience, complemented by online lectorials in urban history, morphology and practice.
Please note: This program has a selection task.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.
You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
RMIT University provides you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Integrating industry expertise into the Urban Design projects is a distinguishing feature of this program. The studio projects focus on key emerging or ongoing topics and are curated in collaboration with relevant professional, community and governmental bodies such as urban developers, project managers, urban planners, council members and research partners.
Teaching staff includes practising architects, landscape architects and urban designers, with adjunct and visiting staff from local and international practices. Links across Urban Development and Urban Planning programs provide a rich multidisciplinary network.
In addition to this program’s two dedicated travel studios in Vietnam and Barcelona, the School of Architecture and Design has an extensive network of international collaborators in the USA, Europe and Asia.
These include the World Architecture Workshop network in France and Japan, and ongoing exchange programs in Copenhagen, Berlin, Los Angeles, Innsbruck, Shanghai, Tianjin, Sendai, Toulouse and several other cities. These connections enable future work opportunities or collaborative experience following graduation.
2 years full-time.
Please note: Graduates from the Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture (or equivalent) are eligible for advanced level entry into Year 2 of the program, completing the Master of Urban Design in 1 year full-time (or 2 years part-time).
The Graduate Diploma in Urban Design is available as an exit award of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the masters program is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma, you must have completed all courses specified in the relevant program structure.
2 years full-time
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
Global intensive design studios are offered from Melbourne, Barcelona and Vietnam.
Two design studios (one per semester) face to face once per week, with some course content delivered online. You will also undertake two additional core courses and select two elective courses.
The program is delivered through three intensive studios, delivered in semester one, semester two and spring semester. Each studio requires a one week workshop on-site located in Vietnam, Melbourne and Barcelona respectively. Studios are delivered face to face and online. Three core courses are also taken in intensive mode with face to face and online delivery.
RMIT Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture (or equivalent) are eligible for advanced level entry into Year 2 of the program, completing the Master of Urban Design in 1 year full-time (or 2 years part-time).
Graduates with professional degrees in Architecture or Landscape Architecture from other universities may also be eligible for advanced standing of up to one full year in the Master of Urban Design.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Urban designers work on large-scale urban projects in collaboration with other professionals (architects, landscape architects, urban planners, developers) and government.
You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in architectural design, landscape architecture or equivalent design-related discipline.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
You must complete and submit the Urban Design selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Applicant type | Register and submit the selection task by |
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All applicants | 28 February 2025 |
Your folio should include a package of images, drawings, sketches, paintings, models, photographs, computer work, etc. of personal creative or design projects as well as concepts or ideas that lead to the final design piece. Digital folios must be formatted as an A3 or A4 size PDF document.
You must collate your work into a single PDF (maximum 30 pages). You may upload your PDF (maximum 10MB) or supply a URL if it's hosted online (provide the username and password if applicable).
You must record and submit a brief video addressing the questions in Parts 1 and 2 below:
Describe the projects in your folio:
Videos must be no longer than 4 minutes and you must present yourself on camera during the interview. For reasons of equity, we will stop watching the video after 4 minutes so please adhere to the time limit.
We will not be scoring or judging the quality of the video so you can record this video using your phone or other suitable devices.
You must upload your video to an external site (e.g. Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google Drive, WeChat, Weibo, Youku or Tudou). If you apply an expiry period on your video, please ensure that it is at least 6 months from the date of submission. If you have a username and/or password to your video link, please provide them.
If you have used AI to generate images or texts in your selection task submission, please describe where this occurs and what AI tools were used (maximum 100 words).
Selection task details and submission dates will be available early 2025.
You must complete and submit the Urban Design selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Applicant type | Register and submit the selection task by |
---|---|
All applications | TBC |
Selection task details and submission dates will be available early 2025.
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in architectural design, landscape architecture or an equivalent design related discipline.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
Selection task: You are required to submit a completed selection task along with your application.
To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).
You can gain entry to this masters degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.
If you are successful at gaining entry to the program and hold a Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, or an accepted master equivalent; or a 5-year (professional) Bachelor of Architecture undergraduate degree, you may receive up to 1-year (96 credit points) advanced standing from the University for courses in the program's first year.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.
You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.
If you are successful at gaining entry to the program and hold a Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, or an accepted master equivalent; or a 5-year (professional) Bachelor of Architecture undergraduate degree, you may receive up to 1-year (96 credit points) advanced standing from the University for courses in the program's first year.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (102 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.
See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.