Thinking of studying planning at an Australian university in 2017?
An independent authority has given undergraduate and postgraduate planning programs at The University of Queensland (UQ) a tick of approval for meeting their high-quality standards.
Planning studies academic advisor in UQ’s School of Geographical Sciences, Planning and Environmental Management, Professor Neil Sipe said the Planning Institute of Australia’s accreditation committee had re-endorsed UQ’s Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning and Master of Urban and Regional Planning programs until 2020.
“Accreditation is a form of quality assurance. It enables students, graduates and employers to be confident that UQ programs meet the highest standards and will prepare graduates for professional employment,” he said.
Graduates expected the integrity of their programs to be maintained and professional courses validated while employers sought clarity about institutional expertise.
Professor Sipe said the accreditation committee’s report noted that:
“There is a lot to like about UQ’s Planning Program. It enjoys clear support and understanding from all levels of the University, and is held in high esteem by students and industry alike; its alumni are fiercely loyal.
“The Program is supported by a wealth of resources that would be the envy of many other Australian planning programs, including, inter alia, a first-class, state-of-the-art Planning Studio space, a specialist Architecture, Planning and Music Library, and extensive and collegial administrative and technical support.
“Academic staff are further supported by comparatively low teaching loads, generous teaching assistance, a vibrant research culture, and strong financial support for research endeavours, specifically, and innovative ideas and strategic initiatives, more generally.”
The committee’s visit is part of the regular five-year accreditation process conducted for planning schools in Australia.
Professor Sipe said accreditation visits were a good opportunity to review the suite of course offerings.
“Every program, no matter how good, needs to periodically review what needs to be done so that we are leading the pack, and out in front, not just reacting,” he said.
“The world is a different place than it was five years ago, when the previous accreditation committee visited UQ.”
Professor Sipe said there would always be demand for professional planners, although demand was always influenced by the strength of the economy. Quality planning skills were transferable across a range of industries.
If you’re a prospective international student, and want to study at UQ, you should apply directly to the International Admissions Section of The University of Queensland.
Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning – CRICOS Code 001960K)
Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning (Honours) – CRICOS Code 084716B)
Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning – CRICOS Code 025968D
Graduate Diploma in Ubran and Regional Planning – 025980G
Master of Urban and Regional Planning – CRICOS Code 077535K)
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