Master of Urban Development & Design (MUDD) is a multidisciplinary degree which links the study of urban design with the processes of urban development. Through the investigation of urban growth and change in a studio-based setting, you will understand the role of urban design in relation to the forces which shape the city.

In an intense three-semester program, MUDD integrates three fields of urban research:

Why Study a Master of Urban Development & Design?
You will develop theoretical grounding, practical experience and expert skills in city-making as a creative field. The MUDD Program combines design studios with advanced seminars, case study investigations and international workshops, connecting with fellow universities, city agencies and urban design professionals to deepen your understanding of the 21st century city.

Work on global urban design issues
You will gain a global perspective on urban design through the MUDD Program’s international design studio – a core requirement of the degree. In a two to three week workshop setting, you will collaborate with universities and/or planning agencies overseas on a critical urban project. The MUDD Program has conducted 40 international studios over the past 20 years – in cities which include Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hanoi, Djakarta, Delhi, Mumbai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Portland, New York, Venice, Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Budapest, Berlin, Hamburg, Buenos Aires, Valparaíso and Cape Town.

Engage with urban development and design in Sydney
You will engage with Sydney as part of the MUDD Program’s commitment to understanding our city as a continuing case study in urban development. Through advanced studios on issues such as waterfront development, urban infrastructure, urban consolidation, urban centres, urban conservation and neighbourhood design, the relative degree of transparency in the making of the Australian city provides deep grounding in urban development processes.

Be connected to a global network
Our network of MUDD graduates extends across the world from Australia to Asia, the Americas and Europe. This interactive network allows you to communicate and share the latest developments in our field.

Benefit from multidisciplinary learning
As a post-professional program, MUDD is based on multi-disciplinary learning, integrating knowledge and skills from Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Engineering, Urban Economics, Property Development and cultural studies.

The content of the program is progressive, stressing theoretical knowledge of economic, social, environmental and physical design determinants at the beginning, and moving into more applied skills and applications toward the end of the program. The nature of contribution to studio-based design projects will be determined according to academic and professional background.

To qualify for the Master of Urban Development degree, students are required to complete eight core courses and one elective course to accumulate a total of 72 UOC.

The compulsory core includes four lecture/seminar based courses, three project based studio courses, and a communications course. The typical pattern for core and elective courses is a two hour lecture/seminar format over 12 weeks. Studio courses typically involve two three hour studio sessions per week over 12 weeks – with the exception of the compulsory International Field Project which requires full time attendance for two weeks in a studio location overseas.

The Summer Term includes case studies of major urban projects UDES0006 , the International Field Project studio UDES0003, and a communications course UDES0010 involving the preparation of an annual exhibition and publication.


Program of Study for Full-time Candidates:

Semester 1

*subject to Discipline Director approval.

Note: Most elective courses are offered in only one semester per year. Some courses may not be offered every year. Additional electives may also be offered in a particular semester. Students are advised to contact the Program Director prior to enrolment for information about the availability of courses in a particular semester.

Admission to 8131 Urban Development and Design Program (72 UOC) is for students who have a recognised four year Bachelor degree or equivalent in an appropriate cognate discipline or have completed the 7131 Graduate Certificate. Admission is also open to graduates of a recognised three year undergraduate degree in Architecture studies. All applicants must have achieved a minimum of a credit average (equivalent to a WAM of 65 or above) in their Bachelor degree. Additionally, applicants will need to submit a portfolio to support their application.

Relevant disciplines would typically include design and non-design based disciplines in the built environment, design and engineering: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture, Design, Planning, Property Development, Construction, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Transport Engineering.

Portfolio requirements
The portfolio should include sample works from various stages of the applicant's previous degree(s) and/or work experience. Text should accompany all drawings/images to explain the projects and specify the applicant's individual contribution to any group projects and/or workplace projects. The portfolio must be in digital format.

Applicants with a planning, property development, construction or engineering degree are encouraged to use the portfolio to demonstrate their interest and capacity for contributing to the urban design studio learning experience. These applicants may choose to include visual presentations (panels or posters) or other supporting illustrated material that expresses physical and spatial concepts.

Pathway to extension Program (8141)
The three-semester MUDD Program is also a pathway to a research-based fourth semester in the MUDD (Extension) Program. This provides the opportunity to undertake a Graduate Research project on a critical issue of urban design as preparation for practice in a specialist area and/or higher studies at Masters by Research or PhD levels.

Professional accreditation
Graduates of the MUDD Program are eligible to apply for membership of the Urban Design Chapter of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Your career outcomes
On completion of the MUDD degree you can work in urban design consultancies, city agencies, the development industry or head your own professional practice in urban design. You can also proceed to doctoral studies at a major international university and a career in academia.

Advanced Standing
Some advanced standing for completed or partially completed postgraduate awards from UNSW or from another institution may be granted. When considering the granting of advanced standing on the basis of previous postgraduate study at another institution, the program authority will take into account the quality of the institution and the quality, level and content of postgraduate courses previously undertaken.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.