The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Human Geography and Planning

Human Geography and Planning is about understanding and guiding the development of cities and regions.

Introduction

This course is concerned with the creation of liveable communities, vibrant economies and sustainable places. Development must grapple with the challenges of ecological sustainability, a culturally diverse world, new demographic pressures and global markets. The Human Geography and Planning major develops varied skills and knowledge, drawing on geography, economics, architecture, sociology and environmental science.

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Course description, features and facilities

Human Geography and Planning focuses on some of the major challenges facing society, including the population explosion, rapid urbanisation, poverty and homelessness, land use conflict, cultural diversity, economic development, and ecological sustainability. Students are also provided with the knowledge and skills to help resolve major urban and regional problems. Ultimately, graduates will contribute to the creation of liveable communities, vibrant economies and sustainable places. Teaching methods consist of lectures from leading experts and industry partners, practical and computer classes, portfolio development, as well as tutorials. This major also includes field work and three field trips of two to three days. UWA is well equipped for teaching and research in human geography and planning and our teaching is supported by the world class research of the Centre for Regional Development and the Urban Design Centre of Western Australia (UDC). UWA has strong links with the Planning Institute Australia (WA). This major provides a pathway to full recognition as a professional planner.

Visit the Science website for further information on careers in science, graduate profiles, scholarships and the benefits of choosing science at UWA.


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Student profile

Student profile – Stephanie Smith

Choosing Human Geography and Planning at UWA was one of the best choices I made when leaving school. I had enjoyed studying geography and wanted to continue studies in a related field. Human Geography and Planning is about creating natural and built environments that humans can interact with in a positive way. It is also about looking to the future and providing for the needs of people and the environment. My time at UWA has been enhanced by practical field trips with small class sizes and a close-planning community. The course offers flexibility and the opportunity to study a wide range of units to complement the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Through my career in planning I hope to assist in creating functional and pleasant environments for people to live in.

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Structure

UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.

As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.

You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.

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Career opportunities

Planners and Geographers are employed by local governments, state governments (such as the Department of Planning) and in private practice, in areas such as regional development, public administration, public policy, social research, teaching, and land development. Graduates with this major are also employable internationally, helping to solve social, economic and environmental problems in other parts of the world.

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Further study opportunities

Students with a Human Geography and Planning major can pursue further studies at Honours level (in either Human Geography or Urban and Regional Planning) or at Masters level (either by coursework or by research). Students with honours in Urban and Regional Planning will be eligible to apply for professional membership of the Planning Institute of Australia.

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Check the Entrance requirements

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Additional information
  3. English competency
  4. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)80
International Baccalaureate29

Additional information

Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

English competency

University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).

Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. English competency
  3. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
French Baccalaureat
12
International Baccalaureate
29
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
66
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
8
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
63
Trinity College Foundation Program
85
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
270
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
60
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
12
Chinese Gao Kao
525
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
12
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
60
Norwegian Vitnemål
4.14
Swedish Slutbetyg
15.70
German Abitur
3.17
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
8
South African National Senior Certificate
4.60

These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.

If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.

English competency

To be eligible for admission to a program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

Advanced standing

Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Fees
  4. Information for…
  5. Contact details - admission information

We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.

First semester entry

Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre. Applications open Monday 13 August 2012.

Closing dates:

  • On-time closing date - Friday 28 September 2012
  • The deadline for adding preferences for Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry is Friday 28 September 2012, and late applications will not be accepted.
  • Late applications for other courses will be accepted, with a late fee, until Friday 4 January 2013.
  • Students completing Year 12 in Australia in 2011 can add preferences (except for Medicine and Dentistry Assured Entry Pathways) until Friday 4 January 2013.

Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Second semester entry

Closing date:

  • Friday 22 June 2012.

After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Fees

$, per year.

This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA Admissions Centre (M353)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Location
UWA Map
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
Fax
(+61 8) 6488 1226
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Information for…
  4. Contact details - admission information

First semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing dates:

  • Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry - 30 June 2011
  • All other courses - 1 December 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Second semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing date:

  • 1 June 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA International Centre (M352)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
Fax
(+61 8) 9382 4071
Contacts
International Centre
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Location
UWA Map
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
About UWA
Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
Foundation and preparatory courses
There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
Social life on campus
There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.

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Human Geography and Planning: the details

Status
Available 2012
Locations offered
Crawley
Attendance types
Part-time, Full-time
Delivery mode
Internal
Starting dates
Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly first year time commitment
18-24 hours contact time, plus your own study time
Standard full-time completion
3 years (BA), 4 years (BPhil(Hons))
Maximum time to complete
10 years
Degrees (available in)

This major is available in:

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

All majors (except Economics and Biomedical Science double majors, Architecture, Specialist Music Studies and Science Communication) can also be taken as second majors in any of our undergraduate degrees

Honours available
Yes
Contact details: course information

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Central Wing of the Natural and Agricultural Sciences Building, off Hackett Entrance 3, Crawley, Western Australia
science-fnas@uwa.edu.au
(+61 8) 6488 2565

Additional information

Footnote links and information

This page:

Last updated
Wednesday, 8 June, 2011 10:47 AM
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